Bognor nursery funding protests

Under government restructuring of early-years learning financing, the town's only state-funded nursery stands to lose up to 140,000 over the next two years '“ which would mean several job losses.

Parents expressed considerable concern given the facility, which has been consistently rated as excellent and among the top-performing nurseries in the country, would be unable to maintain its standards.

It is one of only four state-funded early-years centres in West Sussex.

But there is mounting pressure on the county council as it seeks

to reduce its budgets by millions, which has placed strain on its frontline services including education provision.

A joint statement from the head teachers read: "We are appalled at the threat posed to Bognor Regis Nursery School and Children's Centre by the planned huge cut in funding.

"As local headteachers we know how fortunate Bognor Regis is to have a highly professional, nationally and internationally respected Nursery School.

"We see the positive results for children and families when we receive them into our schools.

"We appreciate the Nursery School's experience and skills in our locality as we work together to improve services for all our children.

"Surely keeping such a centre of excellence would be a symbol of how much we as a society care about our youngest children."

Yours sincerely,

Shane Morton, Headteacher, Bishop Tufnell Junior School, Linda Slinger, Headteacher, Rose Green Junior School

Peter Cook, Headteacher, Felpham Community College, David Jones, Headteacher, Bognor Regis Community College, Lin Chaplin, Headteacher, The Glade Infant School

Jacqui Cobb, Headteacher, Nyewood Infant School, Marion Daley, Headteacher, Bartons Infant School, Pip Otton, Headteacher, Laburnum Grove Junior School

Michele Doran, Headteacher, Michael Ayres Junior School

Cathy Williams, Headteacher, Edward Bryant Primary School

Chris Silk, Headteacher, South Bersted Primary School

Susanne Carter, Headteacher, Rose Green Infant School

Sandra Jones, Headteacher, Nyewood Junior School

Rosemary Appleby, Headteacher, Bishop Tufnell Infant School

Mandy Williams, Headteacher, Downview Primary School

Katharine Amaladoss, Headteacher, St Mary's Catholic Primary School.

Their support was welcomed by Bognor Regis Nursery School governor Jean Ensing, who recently raised the issue, which has significant implications for both state nurseries and privately-run facilities at a government education select committee.

She said: "We are very pleased school heads have recognised how important the nursery is.

"They have told us what a good standard the pupils have attained by the time they are reaching primary schools in the area.

"The minister of state for children Dawn Primarolo has now said they would be delaying the introduction of its new funding formula given concerns from both private and state run nurseries.

"West Sussex has yet to agree its final budgets and hope the funding cuts are not yet cut and dried."

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