Nursery in Downham has silver lining
WITH plans to open a new nursery in Lynn Road, Downham, as well as celebrating its silver jubilee and an outstanding Ofsted report, Downham Preparatory School and Montessori Nursery could not be more positive in the current economic climate.
The search for new nursery premises in Downham began 18 months ago and followed many requests, to re-open a nursery in the town, from parents who wish to enrol their children but have been unable to do so through a lack of transport to the current premises at Stow Bardolph.
"We have recently purchased a beautiful old house in Lynn Road and applied for planning permission to open a nursery there.
"It is in the heart of the new housing developments and would enable many parents to walk their children to school," said Mrs Elizabeth Laffeaty Sharpe.
"In the current economic climate, some might think that it is not a good time to expand and open a new nursery school.
"We believe, however, that we will be providing a much-needed service to the parents of Downham, as well as creating new jobs and saving a beautiful old house from demolition," she added
Planning permission had been granted to demolish the old house and build ten flats on the site. This was strongly opposed by local residents but was passed on appeal.
Twenty-five years ago, in 1984, Mrs Laffeaty Sharpe opened her first Montessori Nursery in the old National School building on the Howdale Road in Downham.
Over the years the school has expanded. A primary school was added to the nursery in 1988 and larger premises were soon needed. In 1991 came a move to The Old Rectory in Stow Bardolph and the school in Downham closed.
Demand for places at the school continued and more space was needed. In 2005 a new purpose-built school was completed and opened in the grounds of The Rectory.
"In March, this year we had our first combined Ofsted Nursery and Primary Inspection. Schools can be awarded the following grades by the inspectors, unsatisfactory, satisfactory, good or outstanding. We were very proud to be judged to be outstanding," continued Mrs Laffeaty Sharpe.
"The two inspectors, who carried out the inspection, told us that it was the first time that they had awarded a school this grade.
"We had already planned to celebrate our silver jubilee this year, but now plans are in progress for a triple celebration; our jubilee, the opening of a new nursery school and an outstanding report from Ofsted."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for King's Lynn
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
