A POPULAR nursery is set to go from strength to strength after joining Chetwynde School under the South Cumbria Multi-Academy Trust.

Chetwynde Kindergarten is now officially part of the school after a successful application to run education from age three right through to 16.

The Kindergarten is set in the Rating Lane school grounds but has always operated as a separate entity.

Now, under the SCMAT, it forms the pre-school provision for three and four-year-olds for Chetwynde, which joined SCMAT in September last year.

Kindergarten Manager Laura Roberts said: “We are delighted to officially join the school and enjoy all the benefits that will bring to nursery education.

“Our kindergarten is renowned for its fantastic setting in the leafy grounds of the school with access to amazing outside spaces for play and learning.

“The pupils thrive in this environment and with further access to support, professional development and working with other nurseries in the Trust we can enhance pupils’ education even more.”

Chetwynde Kindergarten offers the 15 and 30-hour funded places and additional wraparound care for our kindergarten children from 7.30am to 6pm, which is very popular with working parents.

Laura, who has worked at the school since 2009 and as the Kindergarten manager for the past eight years, said: “I have seen the school move from a private school to a free school and now the academy and I think it’s in its best ever shape.”

Chetwynde Headteacher Steve Jefferson said the move made sense all round.

“Having the Kindergarten as part of the primary school fits perfectly with our aim to offer education right through from aged three to 16.

“It was a good time to make this change and free staff time away from the administrative side of running a separate nursery to focus much more on the children.”

For more information about places at the kindergarten, or to arrange a visit via email l.roberts@chetwynde.cumbria.sch.uk or call 01229 824210