Plans to ‘restart’ school
KINDERGARTEN THAT CLOSED DUE TO FINANCIAL REASONS COULD NOW BE REBUILT
AN independent early years school that shut down due to financial reasons could open again in a Nottinghamshire village.
Proposals have been submitted for the school to be created on land off Awsworth Lane, opposite Trinity Farm, Cossall, near Ilkeston.
In an application submitted to Broxtowe Borough Council, a planning statement clarified that the project was to “restart” a school.
It said: “Michael House School, The Field, Shipley, Heanor, Derbyshire, was a Steiner Waldorf independent school that existed for at least 60 years and was a strong presence in the local and wider community.
“Unfortunately the school closed down for financial reasons, leaving a hole in our community.
“We want to restart this school in a small capacity on the stated land to fill a part of the void that was created by the closure of the original school.
“The land is currently overgrown and has been unused for a number of years.
“We will be clearing away the brambles and weeds from a small part of the plot (approx 0.25 hectares) and registering the site as a kindergarten for up to 12 children aged three-six years, one teacher and one assistant on any given day,
Monday to Friday. This will be run like a forest school, as a Steiner Waldorf-inspired setting. The children will play outdoors in the natural environment and take shelter in a 35ft x 12ft caravan/mobile home.
“This use will prevent the land from falling into further disrepair, as it will be regularly maintained in order to provide a safe environment for young children, thus vastly improving the kerb appeal of the area.”
It adds: “The teachers and site will be Ofsted registered. The existing hedgerows around the boundary to the road will not be removed, and a tastefully designed internal wooden fence will be added for extra protection of the children.
“The existing gates will not be altered or removed. The existing hard standing just inside the gates will be used for parking vehicles (temporarily for parents, and for the duration of the opening hours for teachers).”
A spokeswoman for the council said a decision on the plan was due by December 1, adding: “Consultation letters were sent out earlier this week and a site notice is to be posted close to the site for information.”
The application was submitted by Ami Hoggard.
The site was previously used as an “agricultural nursery” but hasn’t been used for at least five years.
It was reported last year that Michael House School would close at the end of that academic year after Ofsted inspectors rated it as “inadequate”.
Steiner Waldorf schools educate children according to the principles of the Austrian philosopher and scientist Rudolf Steiner, taking children’s wellbeing and emotions into account as well as education.