Locking Primary School, a village school near Weston-super-Mare, has been awarded £150,000 from the government to expand its nursery facilities. This crucial investment will increase the nursery’s capacity by 50%, benefiting children aged two to three and meeting growing local demand.
Dan Aldridge, MP for Weston-super-Mare, played a key role in securing the funds. He commented, “During my visit to Locking Primary School, I witnessed their exciting plans firsthand. Many parents here have faced challenges accessing childcare, which is essential for returning to work. This £150,000 investment will significantly ease those pressures.”
The MP emphasized the positive impact of the funding, saying, “Increasing nursery places will reduce waiting lists and support families across Weston-super-Mare. Providing every child with a strong start is a Labour priority, and expanding early years education is central to that mission.”
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Locking Primary School is the first in North Somerset to receive support through the government’s School-Based Nurseries Capital Grant. This nationwide initiative has allocated £45 million to 331 schools, creating over 6,000 new nursery places to boost access and improve early education quality.
Government officials highlight that school-based nurseries not only help parents balance work and family life, but also improve educational opportunities in disadvantaged areas and ease the transition into primary school.
Situated a few miles south of Weston-super-Mare, Locking is a small village formerly known for the now-closed RAF Locking base. Locking Primary School is the village’s only school and was rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted in all categories in its latest inspection.