Community leaders in Peasedown St John and Carlingcott have backed a campaign to keep a small, rural school open, with funding issues and a lack of awareness being blamed for its potential closure.
Laurel Farm Kindergarten is a seven-acre smallholding with animals, fields and woodland, and describes itself as a “wonderfully nurturing educational setting for children aged two-and-a-half to six-years-old.”
Funding issues and a lack of awareness about the school’s work has led to the possibility of its closure.
Bath and North East Somerset Councillors for Peasedown St John and Carlingcott, Karen Walker and Sarah Bevan (Independent) visited the school on Monday to meet with staff and pupils.
They said: “The school is a fantastic example of an educational resource that enables children to fulfil their potential.
“Whenever we visit we are amazed to see the diversity of wildlife and outdoor play at the Kindergarten. There is a tremendous amount for children to do and explore over the seven-acre site, such as a planted woodland, wildlife ponds, livestock and beautiful views of the Cam Valley.
“This small, idyllic spot in Somerset is a real haven for children to learn, grow and play. They also benefit from one-to-one personal support and tuition from teachers too.”
Karen and Sarah have backed the appeal by Laurel Farm Kindergarten, to help raise vital funds that will prevent its closure. They need to raise £5,000.
The school, which has been rated “Outstanding” by Ofsted, has been affected by the increased intake of other similar educational projects in the area and has seen a decrease in enrolments.
The kindergarten now aims to raise awareness of its existence amongst the parenting community by raising its profile.
Therefore the Board of Trustees, along with the community of parents whose children attend, called an urgent AGM recently and are working hard to raise the money it needs for advertising, for buying resources and for securing it’s financial future. New, enthusiastic trustees were also appointed.
Kelly Harries, Chair of Trustees and Parent Representative, said: “My son has attended the kindergarten for two years now, and he has flourished there; he is happy, confident and secure.
“Children are our future, and our future needs people who can bring about positive social change; people that are environmentally aware, that can be creative and think outside the box.
“The world will need people who can work together with compassion, people who have the confidence to stand up for what they believe in.
“We, as parents, believe that Laurel Farm Kindergarten is the perfect start for people of the future.”
The school accepts any child under the government’s Early Years Entitlement scheme, so all three and four year olds, plus some 2 year olds.
If you are interested in Laurel Farm Kindergarten for your own child, email [email protected] for more information.
A crowdfunding page has been set up to help raise the funds needed to keep the site open next term.
Donations can be made at: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/save-laurel-farm-kindergarten-school/
The Kindergarten is also hosting a Summer Fair on Saturday 23rd June (2pm – 5pm) to help raise further funds.