PLANS are in the works to change the age range at an infant school in Allerdale.

Cumbria County Council’s Local Committee for Allerdale is set to meet at West Cumbria House on Friday July 1.

One of the items on the agenda is the proposed change in age range at Wigton Infant School which is currently in consultation.

The proposal is to change the age range of intake at the school from two to seven years to a new age range of three to seven years.

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Allerdale’s area committee will receive a report on the plans and will be asked to give any comments they may have.

It will ultimately be up to the council’s leadership but the cabinet will consider feedback from the consultation.

The report set to be discussed by councillors next week reveals the background behind the plans:  “In September 2020 Wigton Infant School changed its age range to 2 to 7 years in order to allow it to take on the former Longthwaite Road Pre-School.

“Following a review of the facility since that date, and a temporary change to concentrate on 3 year-olds, it is now proposed to permanently amend the age range of the school to 3 to 7 years of age.

“There are other providers in the Wigton area that offer 2 year old places.”

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Cumbria County Council launched its consultation on the proposed change on June 6, sending out letters to interested parties including parents, staff, governors and schools with abutting catchment areas.

The committee will be given the option of making a consultation response to the cabinet if they wish.

Consultees have been told in a letter from Cumbria County Council: “Within two months of the end of the representation period Cabinet must make a decision on the proposal. If the proposal is approved it is likely that the change would be implemented from 1 January 2023.

“It is not anticipated that the existing nursery operating hours would alter. The children would continue to attend in the way they do now and, should parents require a place for their 2 year old, there are other providers in the area that can offer places.”

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