February 2013 Pupil Consultation Exercise

Proposals for nursery provision in Crookfur Primary School from school session What is this about? It is a consultation exercise to find out the views of pupils. We want you to let us know what you think of:

The situation at present Hazeldene Nursery School offers 100:100 (200 part time) places for pre-school children. Hazeldene Nursery School Mearns Primary School Nursery Class Mearns Primary School Nursery Class offers 60:60 (120 part time) places for pre-school children.

The situation at present Isobel Mair Family Centre offers 40 : 40 (80 part time) places for pre-school children. Some places are needed here for children with complex learning needs. Isobel Mair Family Centre

Partnership Nurseries East Renfrewshire also works in partnership with five other nurseries: Elmwood Kirkhillgait Kirktonholme My Nursery Broom

The situation at present There are new houses in the catchment area for Crookfur Primary and more are planned. All children with complex support needs are at present in Glen Family Centre. They will move to Isobel Mair School in August 2013 which means that Isobel Mair cannot take as many 3-4 year old children as they do at present.

East Renfrewshire Council Needs to ensure that children have the best start in life. Wants to offer nursery provision to parents that is nearer to their home. Needs to use its money wisely to support the learning of children.

The situation at present East Renfrewshire Council has a duty to provide nursery education to all 3 & 4 year old children living in the area. At present East Renfrewshire is not able to do this in the Newton Mearns and Crookfur areas.

Why we are here today This pupil consultation exercise is about giving us- the pupils of the school - a chance to examine this Consultation Document, think about the proposal and to have a say as to whether it is fair and appropriate or to suggest any changes or amendments. East Renfrewshire has issued a Consultation Document with a proposal on what they think should happen to solve the problem with nursery provision in the Crookfur and Newton Mearns areas.

The Proposal for Consultation It is proposed from August 2013 to:- Adapt two of the existing classrooms in Crookfur Primary School in order to establish a new nursery class with a separate entrance and play area. This would be a temporary measure possibly lasting 4-5 years when, at that time, a new nursery would be built and the classrooms would revert to Crookfur Primary. Crookfur Primary has 14 classrooms at present and the 242 pupils on the roll can be accommodated in 11 classrooms.

How are we going to do the consultation? The P6 & 7 representatives on the Pupil Council will make a presentation to all classes and give pupils an opportunity to discuss the proposal.

How are we going to do the consultation? Pupils will then have over the next couple of weeks to think how they feel about it. Then, if they wish they can: Make their views known to you, the Pupil Council Make their views known to you, the Pupil Council Complete a pupil questionnaire and ‘post it’ in a locked ballot box Complete a pupil questionnaire and ‘post it’ in a locked ballot boxOR go on-line and complete an electronic questionnaire Attend an open meeting for any interested pupil. This would take place with the consultants, who will return to the school for this on a date they have agreed with the head teacher. Attend an open meeting for any interested pupil. This would take place with the consultants, who will return to the school for this on a date they have agreed with the head teacher.

The pupil questionnaire Let’s look at the questionnaire for pupils in P4-7. Completion of this is purely voluntary.

The pupil questionnaire Let’s look at the questionnaire for pupils in P1-3. Completion of this is purely voluntary.

What happens then? The consultants will come at the beginning of next month and offer all pupils who may be interested the opportunity to meet with them and two representatives from the Pupil Council in order to give their views orally. On 12 March 2013 the consultants will also collect the ‘Ballot Box’ and take the contents away for analysis. The idea is to give pupils every opportunity to have their say and share any views or suggestions they may have.

What will happen then and how will pupils’ views be used? Pupils’ responses to the consultation exercise will be collated and analysed by the consultants. A report will be written for East Renfrewshire Council which will include the consultation responses from this school. A short report on the responses will be written for the school. Pupils in school will be informed of the results of the consultation.