Announcement
Admissions Consultation - Prendergast Vale School (Nursery)
Dear Parents, Carers and Guardians,
Consultation on proposed introduction of rising-three nursery places at Prendergast Vale School from September 2026
This admissions consultation is for the Nursery Admissions Policy 2026-27 for Prendergast Vale School, as reflected in the consultation documents which are available on the admissions consultation webpage of the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools website.
The Trustees of the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools are consulting on a proposal relating to nursery provision at Prendergast Vale School. The proposal is to extend the nursery’s age range and thereby introduce a limited number of nursery places for eligible “rising threes” (children aged two in the term immediately preceding their third birthday) from September 2026.
The proposal is intended to help ensure that the nursery continues to meet the needs of local families while making the best use of the existing provision throughout the year. At times, nursery places can remain temporarily unfilled between funding periods. The proposal would allow a small number of eligible younger children to access places earlier where space is available, helping families while supporting the effective and sustainable use of the nursery’s existing capacity throughout the academic year.
Importantly, this proposal would not increase the overall size or capacity of the nursery. There would be no expansion of provision and no building works. Instead, up to five existing nursery places could be allocated to eligible two-year old children.
The consultation will take place over a three-week period between Friday 5 June 2026 and Sunday 28 June.
If approved:
- the nursery would admit a maximum of five eligible rising-three children at any one time;
children would only be admitted where they meet the relevant government funding eligibility criteria; - places would operate within the nursery’s existing accommodation arrangements; and
- all statutory safeguarding, staffing ratio and welfare requirements would continue to apply.
The nursery would continue to offer places primarily through its existing September intake, while also accepting applications during the spring and summer terms where places are available.
The Trustees of the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools are responsible for the admission arrangements for the nursery and would welcome views on the proposal.
Consultation process
The consultation is being communicated through:
- notification to parents, carers and staff;
- publication on the Federation and school websites; and
- communication with relevant local stakeholders, including the London Borough of Lewisham.
The Trust has also discussed the proposal with Lewisham Early Years officers as part of ongoing discussions regarding local nursery provision.
Parents and other respondents are welcome to submit comments or feedback relating to the proposal by emailing: admissionsconsultation@leathersellers-federation.com
Responses must be received by 11:59pm on Sunday 28 June.
The purpose of the consultation is to gather feedback before any final decision is taken by the Trust Board. The outcome of the consultation will be considered by Trustees and published on the Federation website following the conclusion of the process.
Yours sincerely,
Helen Ingham
Chair of the Trust Board
