Anger as The Royal School Wolverhampton plans to shut nursery
The Royal School is to shut its nursery ahead of becoming a free school this summer – sparking anger among parents.
Plans to convert to free school status from September have been public for nearly two years with bosses inundated with thousands of requests for places.
But only this week have parents of youngsters at the nursery been told it will need to close to make room for extra classrooms.
Pupils old enough to transfer to reception in September, a total of 41, will be guaranteed places – but parents of 41 younger children are now forced to look elsewhere.
There is also concern for staff at the nursery who are at risk of losing their jobs, with bosses insisting redundancies will be avoided where possible.
A statement on the school's website confirming the closure said demand for primary school places has 'steadily increased' in recent months.
Headteacher Mark Heywood, said: "In the last 10 days or so it has become apparent it will not be possible to continue the nursery on the same site.
"Because of the growth in school pupil numbers to a three-form entry, more space is needed. We don't have the resources to purchase new sites and there is nowhere else suitable on the existing site."
Parents of nursery pupils were sent an email on Monday notifying them of the plans. Among them was Dr Lyndsey Harris who has set up a Facebook group and written to Wolverhampton South West MP, Rob Marris.
She said: "When the announcement was made about free school status I asked about the nursery provision and was given guarantees it would not close.
"Lo and behold we have now had this email. My son will have to go to a different nursery next year, if I can find him a place."
Another mother, who asked not to be named, said: "
We are being chucked out just to get other kids from Wolverhampton in who have previously never set foot in the place. There are about 40 sets of parents in my position and 26 members of staff facing redundancy."
The Royal, which is currently fee-paying, was initially due to become a free school in September last year but the move was delayed by the Department for Education.
