This change would come into effect this year
A primary school in Cambridge could change the age range of its pupils. Orchard Park Community Primary School could change the age range from three to 11 years to ages four to 11.
Cambridgeshire County Council intends to make the change to the school with effect from September 2026.
The primary school currently provides education for children aged three to 11 years, with a maintained nursery class. The school would like to provide childcare for children aged three to four using Section 27 of the Education Act (2002).
To formally make this change, Cambridgeshire County Council said it is necessary to change the age range of the school. A spokesperson for the council confirmed that this is an administrative change that has been requested by the school.
The spokesperson added: “Provisions for children will remain the same and the parents and carers of pupils should not notice any change.”
The Early Years provision would remain under the control of the school governing body, and there is no change planned to the number of early years places that the proposed new arrangement will provide.
This change aims to ensure financial sustainability for the school and create a more efficient model of early years education at the school. The consultation period will run from March 2 to March 30 2026.