On behalf of the Trustees and Governors of Veritas Multi Academy Trust, we are delighted to formally launch our consultation proposal to lower the age range of Mundella Primary School from 4 to 11 to 3 to 11, to provide a pre-school nursery class within the school from September 2024.  

Mundella Primary School, part of the Veritas Multi Academy Trust, is a one-form entry primary school. Mundella offers 30 child places for each year within the school, from Reception to Year 6. This consultation does not have any impact on these admission arrangements.  

Research and evidence tells us of the importance of early years provision and shows that children who spend longer in early years provision have better educational outcomes later on and are more likely to thrive in the future. We are committed to ensuring that children get off to a strong start in their early education. The Trustees and Governors of Veritas Multi Academy Trust believe that the opening of a pre-school nursery class will directly benefit the children and families within the local community, through the provision of a high-quality, safe and nurturing education environment for children from 3 years old. It will also enable families to use their 15 hours per week universal entitlement to funded early education for 3- to 4-year-olds during term time.  

A dedicated space within the school has already been identified for the potential location of the pre-school nursery class with access to an outdoor area. Following the outcome of the consultation, should Trustees and Governors decide to proceed with its proposal, work will commence on transforming this indoor and outdoor space so that it is ready to welcome its first children in September 2024 (pending approval from the Regional Director of the Department for Education).  

The consultation period will run for a 5-week period from 29 January 2024 to 4 March 2024. Our consultation will allow current and potential parents and/or carers, staff and governors, local authority representatives, local councillors and other elected officials, local residents, businesses and any other interested parties to learn more about our proposal and to share their views. 

Public consultation event: 

All interested parties are warmly invited to attend our drop-in public consultation event, to meet us and find out more. Further information is below: 

Date and time: Thursday 22 February 2024, drop in between 3pm to 7pm 

Location: Mundella Primary School, Black Bull Road, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 5QX 

Consultation website: 

You can find out further information via our website: https://www.mundella.kent.sch.uk/pre-school 

How to respond and give your views: 

We are keen to hear your views and ensure that any potential pre-school nursery provision meets local needs. There are a number of ways to provide feedback: 

• Our online questionnaire: https://forms.office.com/e/GCHpmYxx1a  

• By writing to us: Mundella Consultation, C/O Mundella Primary School, Black Bull Road, Folkestone, Kent, CT19 5QX 

• By emailing us: preschool@mundella.co.uk  

At the end of the consultation period, we will review all of the responses received. Subject to the outcome of the consultation we will publish a decision regarding whether or not to proceed with our proposals.  

Thank you, in advance, for your engagement.