YOUNG pre-school pupils in Fairford will start the September term in a new home, following an amalgamation with Fairford Primary School.

Fairford Pre-School, which moved to its Leafield Road home in 1993, will join Fairford Primary School under the umbrella of the Local Education Authority and the existing School Governing Body, but with the addition of one associate Governor from the Pre-School, Chris Roberts writes.

This follows talks and consultations with staff, parents and stakeholders of both organisations.

Kathleen Hall was part of the founding Pre-School committee back in 1967/68. She explained that the Pre-School has grown in numbers over the years matching the growing population of Fairford. There are currently 42 children on the register with 24 children per session and seven staff either fully trained or in-training.

From September 2018, the children attending Fairford Pre-School will, for one year, enjoy their play sessions and education in the Fairford Primary School building, whilst the existing Pre-School building is demolished to make way for a brand new extension to the school.

It is expected that the new combined Primary and Pre-School building will be ready in September 2019 (subject to planning permission being granted) and will have four extra classrooms. Two will be for Reception aged children, one for the pre-school children and the other for a new intake of two year olds.

Julie Fellows, headteacher at Fairford Primary School, said: "This is a really good opportunity for us to share resources, ideas, a wealth of space and our wonderful out-door learning facilities in Watkins Woods and the GeoDome."

Liz Walters, Manager of Fairford Pre-School, added: "Some people thought it was a shame to demolish the existing Pre-School building, but there would have been many difficult challenges if we had tried to keep it.

"The designers have given a lot of thought to the new design and we are all very excited to be amalgamating with Fairford Primary and working with children as young as two as from September 2019."

To register your child at the Pre-School, please email Preschool.admin@fairford.gloucs.sch.uk.