Inspiring Minds to Foster Confidence
A new primary school for Ashby de la Zouch
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How was the new school established?
The Education Act 2011 changed the arrangements for establishing new schools and introduced Section 6A, now known as the ‘Free School Presumption’ to the Education and Inspections Act 2006. The legislation requires that where the County Council considers there is a need for a new school in its area; it must seek proposals from suitably qualified organisations to establish the new school as an Academy (Free School).
The school opened for Reception pupils in 2021/2022, and will continue to grow year by year as new Reception pupils begin each year. Ashby Hastings will be careful and sensitive to ensure we do not have an adverse impact on other primary schools in the locality.
We will be flexible in how classes are organised to respond to the demand for places, including children who move to the area after the normal age of starting school.
Age Range
The school is intended to serve pupils between the ages of 4 and 11. At present there are no plans to incorporate early years’ provision on the site.
Gender
The school will be for both boys and girls.
Admission Criteria
The County Council requires that Academy Trusts will abide by the national and local School Admissions Code including that relating to Admission Appeals, and participate in the County Council’s co-ordinated scheme for admissions and, our Fair Access Protocol. The County Council expects Academy Trusts to adopt the same admission criteria used to determine priority for places as in other local schools as set out in the following link: www.leicestershire.gov.uk/popular- now/schooladmissions/applying-for-a-school-place
Equality and Diversity
All Academy Trusts are required to demonstrate their commitment to inclusion, to promoting equality and diversity and to eliminating unlawful discrimination and harassment.
Special Educational Needs
Ashby Hastings will not have any specific specialist resourced provision for pupils with special education needs. The Academy will nevertheless be expected to serve children with special educational needs in its catchment area for whom mainstream education is considered appropriate and to work with other providers and services in meeting the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities.
Extended Services
Symphony Learning Trust will collaborate and engage with other providers and local partners to develop extended services which meet the needs of local children, young people and families in a coordinated, holistic way which can be accessed through all the partners in the locality.
Home to School Transport
Symphony Learning Trust will encourage safe and sustainable travel to Ashby Hastings, including walking and cycling, and we will develop a comprehensive travel plan to support this.
