1
COPY OF DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
Cover Note
DP No.
DP 446
School
Lough View Integrated Primary School,
Castlereagh (406-6579)
Proposal
Proposal that the 26 part-time nursery unit
should be modified to a 52 part-time nursery
unit with effect from 1 September 2016, or as
soon as possible thereafter.
Minister’s Decision
Approved
Date of Decision
19th April 2016
Minister’s Comments
n/a
Additional Notes
n/a
Information Redacted
Some information and personal data may have
been removed in line with the principles of the
Freedom of Information and Data Protection
Act.
Key
Details
....
redaction
*
refers to less than five cases where data
is considered sensitive
#
means figure has been suppressed to
prevent disclosure of sensitive
information under rules of disclosure
2
FROM: Lorraine Finlay
Area Planning Policy Team
DATE: 13 April 2016
To: JOHN O’DOWD MLA see copy distribution list below
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL No. 446 LOUGH VIEW INTEGRATED PRIMARY
SCHOOL
INCREASE FROM A 26 PART-TIME PLACE NURSERY UNIT TO 52 PART-TIME
Issue:
Development Proposal (DP) No. 446 published by the
Education Authority on 26 November 2015 on behalf of the
Board of Governors of Lough View Integrated primary
School (IPS) which proposes:
That the 26 part-time nursery unit should be modified to a
52 part-time nursery unit with effect from 1 September
2016, or as soon as possible thereafter.
Timescale:
Urgent. 2016 Admissions process is ongoing.
Financial
Implications:
There are no capital costs associated with this proposal.
The proposal, if approved, would incur a small amount of
revenue for salary costs but these would be met from
within the school’s budget.
FOI Implications:
The content of this submission is likely to be fully
disclosable.
Statutory Duties
Implications
Article 64 of the Education Reform (NI) Order 1989 Order
Legislation
Implications:
None.
Presentational
Issues:
It is likely that there will be local media interest in your
decision. A draft Press Release will be provided for your
approval following your decision. If approached for
comment the Communications Team will manage any
3
response.
(To be cleared with the Communications Team).
Recommendation:
It is recommended that you :
(i) Approve DP 446- That the 26 part-time nursery unit
should be modified to a 52 part-time nursery unit with
effect from 1 September 2016, or as soon as possible
thereafter.
(ii) Agree that this submission (with appropriate
redactions) can be made available on the Department’s
website once the school and the Education Authority
have been notified.
4
CONTENTS
Maps Paragraph number
Introduction and Background 1
Special Considerations 15
Case for Change 23
Consultations 24
Sustainability Assessment 30
Other Considerations 49
Conclusion 53
Recommendation 76
Attachments
Appendix A Copy of Published Development Proposal
Appendix B Case for Change
Appendix C Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education comments
Appendix D Department of Education Comments received (including letters of
support and objection)
Appendix E Education and Training Inspectorate Comments
5
Location Map 1
6
Alternative Provision to Lough View IPS showing Belfast Region Map 2
7
Alternative Nursery Provision Map 3
8
Alternative Pre-school Provision Map 4
9
INTRODUCTION
1. The Education Authority (EA) published DP No 446 on 26 November 2015 on
behalf of the Board of Governors of Lough View Integrated Primary School (IPS)
which proposes that the 26 part-time nursery unit should be modified to a 52 part-
time nursery unit with effect from 1 September 2016, or as soon as possible
thereafter.
2. The statutory 2-month objection period ended on 26 January 2016. Further
clarification on a number of issues was required from the Education Authority (EA)
Pre-school Education Advisory Group (PEAG) and this has impacted on the
Department’s timescale for consideration of this proposal. A copy of the proposal is
included in Appendix A.
BACKGROUND
Lough View Integrated Primary School
3. Lough View Integrated Primary is a co-educational, grant-maintained
integrated primary school located at Church Road, Castlereagh, Belfast. The school
has an approved enrolment of 406 with an admission number of 58. Statistics for
2015/16 show 419 pupils (including 13 Special Educational Needs stage 5) at the
school. 9.5% of the school’s pupils (40) are entitled to Free School Meals.
4. The nursery unit of Lough View IPS offers 26 part-time morning places.
However, in the last two years the unit has had 28 pupils enrolled with the additional
places made possible through Temporary Flexibility.
Area
5. On the Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure 2010 the Hillfoot area is
placed 882 out of 890 (1 being most deprived and 890 being least deprived).
6. Map 1 above plots the location of Lough View IPS together with the nearest
alternative integrated primary provision. Map 2 shows alternative pre-school
10
provision in the area. This is broken down in Maps 3 and 4 which show alternative
nursery provision and alternative pre-school provision respectively.
7. There have been a number of recent changes to the pre-school provision in
this area:
For the 2015/16 school year, you approved a school rationalisation which
included the relocation of 52 full-time nursery places formerly provided at
Avoniel Primary School to Elmgrove Primary School.
The EA introduced two additional settings after Stage 2 of the 2015/16
admissions process (Village Sure Start and Windsor Women’s Centre) to help
address a shortfall in the South Belfast area.
For the 2016/17 academic year, you approved the establishment of a new 26
place part-time nursery unit at Gaelscoil Na Mona which coincided with the
closure of Naiscoil Na Mona, which had provided 18 voluntary Pre-School
Education Programme (PSEP) places in the 2014 year.
For 2016/17, you approved a change of management for 52 full-time pre-
school places formerly provided by Holy Family Nursery School, Belfast to be
provided in a unit of Holy Family Primary School.
8. A Development Proposal is also currently with you for consideration to modify
a 26 full-time place nursery unit to a 52 part-time place nursery unit at Dundonald
Primary School, which is within a five mile radius of Lough View IPS. The objection
period for this DP ended on 30 March 2016. If approved, this would increase the
proposed provision in the area for the 2016/17 as set out below:
2 mile radius - No change
5 mile radius - 4058 places for 4144 children (98.6%)
9. The Education Authority has advised the Department that ‘The Learning
Tree’, a voluntary pre-school provider situated next to Lough View IPS which
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currently provides 16 pre-school places, plans to withdraw from the PSEP
programme in June 2016.
Temporary Flexibility
10. In the 2014/15 academic year there were 26 additional pre-school places
approved in a five mile radius of Lough View IPS through Temporary Flexibility. In
the 2015/16 academic year this increased to 45 places, including two places in
Lough View IPS. This suggests that the EA is facing increasing pressure in placing
pre-school children within the area.
Level of need for pre-school provision
11. In determining the need for pre-school provision, the Department generally
assumes a level of provision at 95% of target age children, predicated on the
application rate for pre-school places, which is c.92%, however the level of provision
within local areas may be higher or lower, based on historic patterns of demand and
assessment of ongoing need.
12. The overall provision for both 2014/15 and 2015/16, and the proposed level of
provision, within a two mile radius is lower than the planning figure of 95%,
suggesting slight under provision in the area.
13. The potential level at the five mile radius is, however, higher than the planning
figures, suggesting slight over provision, which is also indicated by the fact that 2
year olds have accessed pre-school provision in the area in each of the last two
years.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Statutory Duty
14. You are aware that you and your Department (DE) have a statutory duty
under Article 64 of the Education Reform (NI) Order 1989 Order:
12
‘.... to encourage and facilitate the development of integrated education, that
is to say the education together at school of Protestant and Roman Catholic
pupils.’
15. This duty under must also be considered alongside the duty under Article 44
of the Education and Libraries (NI) 1986 Order (to educate in accordance with the
wishes of parents as far as is compatible with the provision of effective teaching and
learning and the avoidance of unreasonable public expenditure).
16. You have made clear that the statutory duty does not equate to a duty to grant
every proposal brought forward on behalf of an Integrated school and that the
Department must be mindful of its statutory duty under Article 44 of the Education
and Libraries (NI) Order 1986 and under Managing Public Money to ensure effective
and efficient use of public funds.
17. In relation to consideration of this DP which proposes that the current 26 part-
time nursery unit should be modified to a 52 part-time nursery unit due regard has
been given to the statutory duty within the framework of ensuring effective planning
to meet the future educational requirements for the area.
18. Consideration has also been given to the ruling by Treacy J in the judicial
review McKee v Department of Education, 2011 which determined that “the
Department may facilitate and encourage the Irish medium [and therefore also the
Integrated] sector in ways that it need not for other sectors by:
taking positive steps; or
removing obstacles which inhibit the statutory objective.”
Policy Context - Early Years
19. Under the Programme for Government (PfG) 2011-2016, DE is committed to
ensuring that at least one year of pre-school education is available to every family
that wants it.
13
20. Learning to Learn – A Framework for Early Years Education and Learning,
was published on 7 October 2013. Among its key actions is placing a moratorium on
any new or additional full-time provision or conversion from part-time to full-time
(defined as over 4.5 hours) in advance of a review of the current levels of full-time
provision, existing research and the needs of children being served by it.
21. It is DE’s practice not to displace good quality pre-school provision already in
existence with pre-school provision in an alternative setting.
CASE FOR CHANGE
22. The case for change for this proposal is included in full at Appendix B. It sets
out the rationale for the proposal as follows:
Parents of children attending Lough View IPS want local, accessible,
integrated pre-school education for their children. In 2015/16 the school had
52 first preference applications for the nursery unit with seven siblings of
existing pupils unable to gain nursery places.
Lough View IPS has an excellent reputation with the nursery assessed by the
Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) as ‘outstanding’ and the primary
school ‘very good’.
The staff and governors are keen to meet the demand for integrated pre-
school provision at Lough View IPS which is heavily oversubscribed on an
annual basis.
The staff and governors recognise the desirability of educating children from
all backgrounds together in a culture of respect and mutual understanding.
Additional provision in our nursery unit would support parents and families
who wish to access our highly sought after integrated pre-school provision
from the age of 3-11.
Those involved in Lough View IPS would like to play a role in moving towards
a shared future for all. The Board of Governors are bringing forward this
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proposal in a bid to meet as much of the demand as possible for those who
seek an integrated education as their first choice.
Lough View IPS will provide a viable alternative for those parents who prefer
an integrated education for their children and this will assist the Department in
meeting its duty to encourage and facilitate integrated education.
CONSULTATIONS
Pre-publication Consultation
23. The case for change confirms that the school has carried out the necessary
consultation with Governors, staff parents and pupils and also carried out a survey
which demonstrated that out of 310 families 151 responded and 146 supported the
idea.
24. The EA also consulted with the Boards of Governors, Trustees, staff and
parents of pupils of other schools likely to be affected by the proposal.
25. During the pre-publication consultation, the EA received 23 responses from
parents of the school and all were supportive of the proposal.
Two month objection period
26. DP 446 was published on 26 November 2015 by the EA on behalf of the
Board of Governors of Lough View IPS. The statutory objection period ended on 26
January 2016. The Department received two letters of support, one from the
Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) and one from a parent and
one letter of objection in relation to the Proposal. Further details are included in
Appendix E.
NICIE Comments
27. The Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) has written to
the Department in support of the proposal; this is attached in full at Appendix C.
NICIE comments are summarised below:
15
The school has a two form entry into the primary but only a single nursery unit
which is regularly heavily over-subscribed, to sometimes more than twice its
current capacity, even at first preference level.
Whilst NICIE is supportive of the displacement argument, parental preference
is not being expressed for the nearby setting.
There is a shortfall of provision in the area.
The children who put Lough View IPS as first preference school come from a
variety of pre-school settings, 20 in total. Increasing the number of places in
the nursery would have a much dispersed effect on the 20 settings and would
be minimised because of the breadth of the catchment.
The proposal represents good use of an existing under-utilised building and
will match the size of the rest of the school.
Education Authority Comments
28. The EA believes the modification of provision at Lough View IPS Nursery Unit
from 26 part time to 52 part-time places will provide additional pre-school capacity
into an area with a high demand for such places.
SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT
29. The Sustainable Schools Policy (SSP) does not apply to pre-school provision.
However, it is important when considering this change in statutory pre-school
provision that the host school is assessed. The following is an assessment of Lough
View IPS against the six criteria in the SSP.
Quality Educational Experience
In relation to primary provision, the SSP indicators highlight KS2 attainment levels,
no more than two composite classes, a minimum of 4 teachers, the ability of the
school to cater for Special Educational Needs (SEN) pupils, availability of curricular
and extra curricular activities, quality of the physical environment for learning and
quality of pastoral care arrangements.
30. The case for change confirms that Lough View IPS’ current teaching staff
consists of a principal, 12 full-time teachers and seven part-time.
16
31. DE statistics for 2014/15 confirm 23 teachers in total, with a full-time
equivalent figure of 18.1 teachers for the whole school, including the nursery unit.
The school has no composite classes.
32. An Inspection of the school by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI)
in March 2011 assessed the quality of the education provided by the primary school
as ‘very good’. The inspection stated that the school is meeting very effectively the
educational and pastoral needs of the learners; and has demonstrated its capacity
for sustained self-improvement. The nursery unit was assessed as ‘outstanding’.
33. The Inspection Report also states that the school has a clear and
comprehensive policy in place for those children with Special Educational Needs
(SEN) and cites ‘the very good quality of the arrangements for SEN’ as a strength of
the school. The quality of the arrangements for pastoral care in both the primary and
nursery unit has been assessed as ‘outstanding’.
34. The report also confirms that the children have the opportunity to participate in
a wide range of extra-curricular activities which include music, drama and sporting
activities. This is supported by the case for change which states that as well as
delivering the full NI curriculum, a wide range of extra-curricular activities area also
undertaken including cycling proficiency, football, Gaelic, rugby, netball, musical
tuition, Spanish, film club, art club, cookery club and drama club.
35. The report confirms that the internal and external environments of the school
are pleasant and well maintained.
Stable Enrolment Trends
The SSP adopts the enrolment thresholds as recommended in the Bain Report.
These are minimum thresholds and apply to grant-aided schools in all sectors. A
rural primary school’s minimum enrolment threshold is 105 pupils. Ideally a primary
school should have 7 classrooms (1 per year group). If this is not possible then it
should have composite classes with no more that 2 year groups.
36. Lough View IPS has an approved enrolment of 406 and an admission number
of 58. The school is fully subscribed and has exceeded its admission number in
each of the last 5 years. Table 3 below shows that the school was oversubscribed at
17
first preference stage in each of the last 3 years. For September 2015, the school
was significantly oversubscribed at first preference stage with 79 applications.
Table 1: Primary School Enrolments (2015/16 approved 406)
2011/12
2012/13
2013/14
2014/15
2015/16
406
412
421
423
419
Table2: Enrolment by Year Group (@ October 2015)
P1
P2
P3
P4
P5
P6
P7
Total
61
59
59
61
61
59
59
419
(includes 13 SEN)
Table 3: P1 Applications & Admissions
Applications
Accepted
Approved
1st Pref
2
nd
Pref
3rd Pref
Others
Total
1st Pref
2
nd
Pref
3rd Pref
Others
Total
Sept
2015
79
4
0
1
84
58
2
0
0
60
58-60
Sept
2014
77
2
1
2
82
58
0
0
1
59
58-60
Sept
2013
64
3
1
3
71
59
0
0
1
60
58-60
37. Temporary Variations (TV) for Lough View IPS were approved by the
Department for the last 2 years as follows:
2015/16 – TV Increase from 406/58 to 408/60;
2014/15 – TV Increase from 406/58 to 415/59;
2013/14 – No TV’s granted.
Sound Financial Position
The SSP recommends that a school’s annual finance indicates that it can live within
its delegated budget and will be able to continue to do so. Where there is a deficit,
the school’s 3-year plan should indicate that it can be reduced or recovered.
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38. The DP, if approved, would have minimal impact on the Aggregated Schools
Budget. The proposed numbers in the Development Proposal, as published, may
attract assistance from the Department’s Grant Maintained Integrated Schools
(GMIS) Contingency Fund creating an in-year pressure of approximately £28k in the
2016/17 financial year. The Contingency Fund allocation assumes an additional
annual intake of 26 part-time Nursery pupils with effect from 1 September 2016, or
as soon as possible thereafter.
Budget Position
39. Lough View IPS did not have a deficit of public funds at 31 March 2015 and
there are no immediate financial concerns about this school.
Strong Leadership and Management
The SSP highlights a number of indicators in relation to the BoG, staff and pupils.
These include: BoG -views, skills and experience of the BoG. Staff - management
(both curricular and organisational), attendance, turnover, morale. Pupils –
behaviour, attendance and involvement in school management. A school
development plan must be in place (and monitored).
40. The 2011 Inspection Report states that the overall quality of leadership and
management of the school is very good’.
‘The Principal provides very good leadership for the school.’ ‘The Vice-principal and
Senior Leadership Team support very effectively the Principal and contribute to
setting the appropriate tone for the life and work of the school.’
41. It also states that the governors are involved in the overall strategic planning
and policy development for the school and they also play an important role in
monitoring and evaluating the life and work of the school.
42. The school’s development plan is compliant with the requirements of the
School Development Plans Regulations.
Accessibility
The SSP highlights the need for reasonable distance and travel time to school and
also suitable transport arrangements. It highlights travel times of less than 30
minutes for primary pupils.
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43. Map 1 above shows the location of the pupils at Lough View IPS. The case
for change confirms that just over 18% of pupils live within one mile of the school
with over 64% living within 2 miles and almost 79% within three miles. The school is
centrally located within Castlereagh and part of its catchment area falls within the
former Belfast Education and Library Board area. A significant number of the
school’s pupils are from this area as shown in Map1. The school is therefore easily
accessible to its pupils and alternative provision would also be easily accessible to
pupils within the travelling time of 30 minutes as detailed in the Sustainable Schools
Policy.
Strong Links with the Community
The SSP refers to the degree and quality of parental involvement, contribution of the
school to the community, presence of other features (nursery or specialist provision)
and use of school buildings outside formal education.
44. In the Inspection Report dated March 2011, the ETI state that there is a sense
of community within the school based on very good working relationships. The
school has a Parents Council which provides valuable support to new parents to the
school and also raises funds. A Parents at Lough View Support Group (PALS)
provides guidance and assistance to parents of children with additional needs. The
school has established excellent links with the neighbouring post primary school to
enrich the children’s educational and social experiences and to ensure smooth
transitions between the schools. Strong links have also been established with the
local council and also sporting organisations such as the Irish Football Association
and Athletics NI.
45. The school’s case for change details that the school has strong links with the
local community. The school fairs, open nights and other events are well attended
and family allotments are accessible to the wider school community.
Sustainability Summary
46. Lough View IPS’ enrolment is well above the minimum enrolment threshold
set out in the Sustainable Schools Policy. The school is consistently oversubscribed
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at first preference stage and is easily accessible. The quality of education provided
by the primary school has been assessed as ‘very good’ and the nursery unit has
been assessed as ‘outstanding’.
47. There are no immediate financial concerns about this school. The 2011 ETI
Inspection report states that the overall quality of leadership and management of the
school is also very good’. The school has strong links with the community as
confirmed by the ETI and the case for change. Therefore, the school is fully meeting
the criteria of the Sustainable Schools Policy.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Religious Balance
Table 4: Primary School Religious Balance 2015/16
Protestant
Roman Catholic
Other
Total
155 (37 %)
157 (37 %)
107 (26%)
419
Table 5: Nursery Unit Religious Balance 2015/16
Protestant
Roman Catholic
Other
Total
12 (43%)
11 (39%)
5 (18%)
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48. In terms of the religious balance of pupils at Lough View IPS, Tables 4 and 5
above confirm that the school has a very mixed enrolment with over 30% of both
main traditions in both the primary school and the nursery unit.
South Eastern Education and Library Board (SEELB) Primary Area Plan
49. The SEELB Primary Area Plan (June 2014) states that Lough View IPS is
currently considered to be sustainable and viable within the local area context.
Financial Implications
Capital Funding
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50. The case for change states that there are no major resource implications for
operating a dual day nursery but approval would enable the capital investment in the
current nursery building to be maximised.
Additional Staffing Costs
51. The proposal, if approved, would incur a small amount of revenue for salary
costs but these would be met from within the school’s budget.
CONCLUSION
52. Enrolments at Lough View IPS have been rising steadily from 406 in 2011/12
as shown in Table 1 above to 419 in 2015/16. The primary school has been
consistently oversubscribed at first preference stage as shown in Table 3 above.
53. Table 6 below shows the first preference applications to the nursery at Lough
View IPS. The nursery has also been consistently oversubscribed at first preference
stage.
Table 6: Applications to Lough View Integrated Primary School’s Nursery Unit
September
Number of Places
1st Preference
Total Admitted
2015
26
52
28
2014
26
69
28
2013
26
54
26
2012
26
44
26
2011
26
47
26
54. There is therefore strong evidence of obvious demand at Lough View IPS.
55. Lough View IPS has a very mixed enrolment with over 30% of both main
traditions in both the primary school and the nursery unit.
56. The quality of education provided by Lough View IPS was assessed as ‘very
good’. The Nursery Unit was assessed as ‘outstanding’.
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Current level of pre-school provision
57. The current level of pre-school provision within both a two mile and five mile
radius of the school is used as an indicator of current capacity and considered
alongside other factors such as population projections to determine the likely future
need for additional pre-school provision in the area.
58. The numbers of pre-school places are measured against the Year One
enrolments for 2014/15 and 2015/16 as indicated.
Table 7: Level of Provision – 2 mile radius of Lough View Integrated Primary
School.
Year
Statutory
places
Non-
statutory
places
Reception
places
Total
pre-school
provision
P1
places
Level of
pre-school
provision
(%age of
P1 places)
Underage
children
in
statutory
places
2014/15
551
293
0
844
927
91.1%
2
2015/16
607
304
0
911
1010
90.2%
3
Proposed*
633
288
0
921
1010
91.2%
--
* Assumes Learning Tree leaves programme in June 2016 as advised by EA
(Source: 2015 School Census)
Table 8: Level of Provision – 5 mile radius of Lough View Integrated Primary
School.
Year
Statutory
places
Non-
statutory
places
Reception
places
Total
pre-school
provision
P1
places
Level of
pre-
school
provision
(%age of
P1 places)
Underage
children
in
statutory
places
2014/15
2973
896
0
3869
3944
98.1%
26
2015/16
3041
981
0
4022
4114
97.8%
20
Proposed*
3067
965
0
4032
4114
98%
--
* Assumes Learning Tree leaves programme in June 2016 as advised by EA
(Source: 2015 School Census)
59. Birth statistics by academic year for all wards which fall at least partially within
a 5 mile radius of Lough View IPS indicate a decrease of 110 (-2.6%) in the pre-
school cohort between September 2016 admissions and September 2018
admissions (4186 to 4076).
23
60. Population projections for 3 year olds for the Belfast and Castlereagh and
Lisburn councils predict an increase of 92 (1.4%) from 6,417 to 6,509 between 2016
and 2019. The trend then suggests a steady decline of 402 (6.2%) from 6,509 to
6,107 between 2019 and 2027.
61. These figures suggest that demand is likely to slightly decrease in the longer
term; however, they do not fully take into account population migration and other
factors, so can only be indicators of the future pre-school population and are not an
exact predictor of demand.
62. The case for change states that the prospect of the development at Lough
View IPS impacting negatively upon other local providers is also mitigated by the fact
that Lough Views IPS’ pupils come from a wide catchment area extending to nine
postcodes based on 2016 nursery applications.
63. The EA has advised that it supports the proposed change, stating that the
withdrawal of The Learning Tree from the Pre-school Education Programme (PSEP)
would create a shortfall of pre-school places in the area.
64. The ETI state that Lough View IPS and Nursery Unit were last inspected in
May 2011. In the areas inspected, the quality of education provision by the school
was very good and in the nursery unit, the quality of provision was outstanding.
65. The ETI advice, which was provided prior to the announcement that The
Learning Tree had decided to withdraw from the PSEP, considered that the opening
of an additional pre-school unit at Lough View IPS could negatively impact on other
pre-school providers in the area.
66. ETI also reflected upon the fact that morning pre-school sessions are
generally preferred by parents to afternoon sessions and suggested that some
parents may chose a morning session in another setting over an afternoon session
in Lough View IPS.
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Pre-school provision
67. Pre-school provision is not defined according to sectors (e.g. Integrated,
Roman Catholic, maintained), so all pre-school settings, regardless of location, are
considered accessible to children from all backgrounds. All pre-school settings
follow the same curricular guidance which accommodates ensuring equality of
opportunity. This means staff acknowledging and respecting the culture, beliefs and
lifestyles of the families of all children. However, it is acknowledged that in some
cases parents may, nevertheless, have a preference for the ethos of pre-school
education in schools with an integrated management type.
68. There are three pre-school providers in schools with an integrated
management type within five miles of Lough View IPS; these are Forge IPS,
Cranmore IPS and Cliftonville IPS. Over the last two years all three schools have
been oversubscribed with 1
st
preference pre-school applications.
Table 9: First Preference Applications
Setting
September 2015
1
st
preference
applications
September 2015
places filled
September
2016 1
st
preference
applications
to date
Lough View IPS
52
26
47
Forge IPS
46
47
43
Cranmore IPS
22
24
29
Cliftonville IPS
38
26
39
TOTAL
158
123
158
69. This suggests that parents in the area may have a preference for pre-school
provision with an integrated management type, as suggested by the case for
change.
Impact on voluntary and private sector providers
70. The Pre-school Education Programme (PSEP) is a partnership between
statutory and voluntary/private pre-school providers and both sectors are equally
valued for their contribution to the education of pre-school children. Both sectors
25
adhere to the same curricular guidelines and are inspected to the same educational
standards.
71. In considering DPs for statutory provision, careful consideration is given to the
impact of any new statutory provision on existing good quality voluntary/private
providers in PSEP.
72. The application trends for Lough View IPS, which both the case for change
and EA advise has an unusually wide catchment area, suggest that it would not face
difficulty in filling the requested places with target age children, as it has received no
fewer than 52 first preference applications for its 26 pre-school places in each of the
last three years. However, it is possible that the creation of additional provision at
the setting could have a knock on effect in the wider five mile radius, causing a
decrease in the number of voluntary/private pre-school places required (potentially
displacing good quality provision already in place) and/or leading to an increase in
two year old children gaining access to provision in other statutory settings.
73. However, given the high number of temporary flexibility requests granted in
the area in the last two years, the planned exit of The Learning Tree from the PSEP,
the projected population growth in the area and the advice of the Pre-school
Education Advisory Group that it faces a shortfall of provision in the area and that
voluntary and private providers in the Dundonald area (within the 5 mile radius) are
unable to expand to provide places beyond the current level, it appears that the
approval of this is proposal would be unlikely to have a detrimental impact on current
good quality pre-school provision in the area, although some minor adjustments to
the number of funded places provided may be necessary. It also seems unlikely that
the proposal would significantly increase the number of underage children accessing
pre-school places in the area in the longer term.
Conclusion
74. The Department’s commitments on levels of pre-school provision, the level of
demand for this type of pre-school provision as evidenced through TVs and
applications for places and the duty to encourage and facilitate IE development
would suggest that this proposal should be supported. The proposal would help to
26
address the projected shortfall in pre-school provision in the area and would assist in
meeting the Programme for Government commitment to ensure that at least one
year of pre-school education is available to every family that wants it.
RECOMMENDATION
75. Based on the evidence outlined in this submission, it is recommended that
you:
(i) Approve DP 446 as follows:
The Board of Governors of Lough View Integrated Primary School
proposes that the 26 part-time nursery unit should be modified to a
52 part-time nursery unit with effect from 1 September 2016, or as
soon as possible thereafter.
(ii) Agree that this submission (with appropriate redactions) can be made
available on the Department’s website once the school and the EA have been
notified.
76. A draft press release will be provided for your consideration when you have
made your decision.
77. Attached for your consideration are the following:
Appendix A Copy of Published DP
Appendix B Case for Change
Appendix C NICIE comments
Appendix D DE Comments received (including letters of support and objection)
Appendix E ETI Comments.
LORRAINE FINLAY
59995
27
Cc (by e-mail)
Paul Sweeney
Fiona Hepper
Katrina Godfrey
John Smith
Jacqui Durkin
Noelle Buick
Dorina Edgar
Scott Harbinson
Conor O’Neill
Gráinne Maskey
Grainne McConnell
Press Office
APPT
28
Appendix A
29
Appendix B
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
NICIE COMMENTS Appendix C
NICIE wish to register their support for this proposal. Owing to time pressures this
letter will make some brief points in support of the proposal.
1. The school has two form entry into the primary and only has a single form
nursery unit which is regularly heavily over-subscribed, to sometimes more
than twice its current capacity, (EA Dundonald), even at first preference level.
LOUGH VIEW NU
1ST
PREF
TOTAL
PREF
NO
ADMITTED
No OF
PLACES
2015
52
61
27
27*
2014
69
90
30
30*
2013
54
79
26
26
2012
44
57
26
26
2011
47
76
26
26
2. Whilst NICIE is supportive of the displacement argument, parental preference
is not being expressed for the nearby setting and as it has not been inspected
then it cannot be judged.
3. The quality of provision at Lough View Nursery Unit (NU) was judged to be
outstanding and the school overall was awarded very good.
4. There is a shortfall of provision in the area.
5. The children who put Lough View as first preference school (see over) come
from a variety of preschool settings (EA), 20 in total. The bulk of the P1 first
preference children 27 come from the NU but 5 had no pre-school experience.
Only 9 from the Learning Tree expressed a preference to come Lough View.
One could infer from this that increasing the number of places in the NU
would have a much dispersed effect on the 20 settings and would be
minimised because of the breadth of the catchment.
44
LOUGH VIEW INTEGRATED PRIMARY SCHOOL
PRE-SCHOOL EXPERIENCE OF P1 1
st
PREFERENCE APPLICANTS (78) 2015:
NAME OF SETTING
NUMBER OF CHILDREN
Lough View NU
27
Knockbreda NS
2
Kilmood PG
2
Carryduff PG
1
The Learning Tree
9
Magherafelt NU
1
Belvoir Park NU
7
Braniel NU
4
Campbell College
1
Mount Oriel PG
4
McArthur NS
1
Nettlefield NU
1
St Colmcille’s PG
3
Glendhu NS
1
Flutterbies PG
3
St Paul’s NU
1
Seaview NS
2
Sandbrook
1
Belmont PG
1
Outside NI
1
None
5
TOTAL
78
NICIE would ask the Minister to support this proposal as it represents good use of an
existing under-utilised building and will match the size of the rest of the school. As
the school draws from a very wide catchment area, the growth will have little impact
on any one particular setting. At the same time it will be helping those who wish to
choose an integrated setting and address the shortfall for pre-school places in the
area.
45
DE Comments (including letters of support and objection) Appendix D
Respondent
Comments
NICIE
Comments included in Appendix C
Parent
There is no longer a Catholic school in this parish but we are keen
for our children to attend an integrated school. If our children were
not admitted to Lough View at primary school, which we understand
is oversubscribed each year, we would be forced to send them to a
local Protestant school where they would either have to leave class
alone (or perhaps with another pupil), attend preparations for
sacraments and join a class where they didn't know the other
pupils.
We believe integrated education is the ideal way to ensure a shared
future in our still divided society. We therefore believe that
integrated education should be prioritised for funding and would
urge you and officials to fund additional places for Lough View
Nursery Unit as per its current application. Ideally there should be
enough places at the integrated Lough View nursery for our child
(indeed all children whose parents wish them) to attend and then
simply move on up to primary school in a setting with which she is
already familiar (and enough places in the primary for all children
wishing to attend).
St Bernard’s PS
The increase from 26 part-time nursery places to 52 part-time
nursery places indicates that there is a need for increased nursery
provision in this area. A nursery unit at St Bernard’s has been
refused in the past. If Lough View’s DP is successful then St
Bernard’s must be allowed to develop a 52 place nursery unit on
their site.
Admissions and Enrolment
Please see below the Temporary Variations (TV) for Lough View IPS for the last 3
years –
2015/16 – TV Increase from 406/58 to 408/60
2014/15 – TV Increase from 406/58 to 415/59
2013/14 – No TV’s granted
Capital Funding – N/A
The case for change proposes that the 26 place part-time nursery unit should be
modified to a 52 place part-time nursery unit, operating as a dual day nursery, with
an afternoon session complimenting the existing morning session, with effect from 1
September 2016, or as soon as possible thereafter. Therefore, it is Estate
Operations Team’s view that no additional accommodation is required.
46
However, it should be noted that if additional accommodation were required this
would be subject to there being budget in place and it can take 9-12 months from
the date an application is received for any new accommodation to be on site.
EARLY YEARS TEAM
TO MODIFY THE 26 PART-TIME PLACE NURSERY UNIT TO A 52 PART-TIME
PLACE NURSERY UNIT AT LOUGH VIEW INTEGRATED PRIMARY SCHOOL,
BELFAST
Introduction
At the request of the Board of Governors of Lough View IPS, Belfast, the Education
Authority (EA) published Development Proposal Number 446, which proposed that
the existing 26-place part-time nursery places provided at the setting should be
increased to 52 part-time places from 1 September 2016 or as soon as possible
thereafter.
Background
The proposal has been put forward by the Board of Governors of Lough View IPS,
who claim that the pre-school is heavily oversubscribed and the proposed nursery
expansion would meet parental demand for pre-school provision in the area and
would respond to a particular preference amongst local parents for the ethos of pre-
school education in schools with an integrated management type .
Relevant policy areas
Under the Programme for Government 2011-16, DE is committed to ensuring that at
least one year of pre-school education is available to every family that wants it.
The case for change appears to rely, not on evidence of an unmet need for pre-
school places in the area, but rather upon the popularity of the setting which has
received no fewer than 52 first preference applications for its 26 pre-school places in
each of the last three years. Although a setting may receive a high level of first
preference applications, this does not in itself indicate a shortage of pre-school
provision in an area. Pre-school provision is made on the basis of preference, not
choice, and parents are encouraged to apply for a range of settings for their child in
order to maximise their chance of securing a suitable place for their child.
47
Learning to Learn – A Framework for Early Years Education and Learning - was
published on 7 October 2013. Among its key actions is placing a moratorium on any
new or additional full-time provision or conversion from part-time to full-time (defined
as over 4.5 hours) in advance of a review of the current levels of full-time provision,
existing research and the needs of children being served by it. This proposal is
compatible with the moratorium.
Under the 1989 Education Reform (NI) Order, the Department of Education (DE) has
a statutory duty to ‘encourage and facilitate the development of integrated education,
that is to say the education together of Protestant and Roman Catholic pupils ’. This
duty is considered in more detail below.
It is the Department’s practice not to displace good quality pre-school provision
already in existence with pre-school provision in an alternative setting. The potential
impact of this proposal on existing provision is considered in more detail below.
A key action under the Learning to Learning framework is the removal of reception
provision. Lough View IPS does not have reception provision and the removal of
reception places would have no affect on the level of pre-school provision in this
area.
Recent Changes in provision
There have been a number of recent changes to the pre-school provision in this
area:
For the 2015/16 school year, the Minister approved a school rationalisation which
included the relocation of 52 full-time nursery places formerly provided at Avoniel
Primary School to Elmgrove Primary School.
The EA introduced two additional settings after Stage 2 of the 2015/16 admissions
process (Village Sure Start and Windsor Women’s Centre) to help address a shortfall
in the South Belfast area.
48
For the 2016/17 academic year, the Minister approved establishment of a new 26
place part-time nursery unit at Gaelscoil Na Mona which coincided with the closure
Naiscoil Na Mona, which had provided 18 voluntary PSEP places in the 2014 year.
In 2016/17, the Minister approved a change of management for 52 full-time pre-
school places formerly provided by Holy Family Nursery School to be provided by
Holy Family Primary School.
Planned changes in provision
The Education Authority has advised that ‘The Learning Tree’, a voluntary pre-school
provider situated next to Lough View IPS which currently provides 16 pre-school
places, plans to withdraw from the PSEP programme in June 2016.
Temporary Flexibility
In the 2014/15 academic year there were 26 additional pre-school places approved
in a five mile radius of Lough View PS through Temporary Flexibility. In the 2015/16
academic year this increased to 45 places, including 2 places in Lough View IPS.
This suggests that the EA is facing increasing pressure in placing pre-school children
within the area.
A list of all approved Temporary Flexibility requests is attached at Annex C.
Level of need for pre-school provision
In determining the need for pre-school provision, the Department generally assumes
a level of provision at 95% of target age children, predicated on the application rate
for pre-school places, which is c.92%, however the level of provision within local
areas may be higher or lower, based on historic patterns of demand and assessment
of ongoing need.
Current level of pre-school provision
The current level of pre-school provision within both a 2-mile and 5-mile radius of the
school is used as an indicator of current capacity and considered alongside other
49
factors such as population projections to determine the likely future need for
additional pre-school provision in the area.
The numbers of pre-school places are measured against the Year One enrolments
for 2014/15 and 2015/16 as indicated. (Source: 2015 School Census)
50
Level of Provision – 2 mile radius of Lough View Integrated Primary School.
Year
Statutory
places
Non-
statutory
places
Reception
places
Total
pre-school
provision
P1
places
Level of
pre-school
provision
(%age of
P1 places)
Underage
children
in
statutory
places
2014/15
551
293
0
844
927
91.1%
2
2015/16
607
304
0
911
1010
90.2%
3
Proposed*
633
288
0
921
1010
91.2%
--
* Assumes Learning Tree leaves programme in June 2016 as advised by EA
Level of Provision – 5 mile radius of Lough View Integrated Primary School.
Year
Statutory
places
Non-
statutory
places
Reception
places
Total
pre-school
provision
P1
places
Level of
pre-
school
provision
(%age of
P1 places)
Underage
children
in
statutory
places
2014/15
2973
896
0
3869
3944
98.1%
26
2015/16
3041
981
0
4022
4114
97.8%
20
Proposed*
3067
965
0
4032
4114
98%
--
* Assumes Learning Tree leaves programme in June 2016 as advised by EA
Other relevant Development Proposals
The Minister is currently considering a Development Proposal to modify a 26 full-time
place nursery unit to a 52 part-time place nursery unit at Dundonald Primary School,
which is within a five mile radius of Lough View IPS. If approved, this would increase
the proposed provision in the area for the 2016/17 as set out below:
2 mile radius
No change
5 mile radius
4058 places for 4144 children (98.6%)
The overall provision for both 2014/15 and 2015/16, and the proposed level of
provision, within a two mile radius is lower than the planning figure of 95%,
suggesting slight under provision in the area.
51
The potential level at the five mile radius is, however, higher than the planning
figures, suggesting slight over provision, which is also indicated by the fact that 2
year olds have accessed pre-school provision in the area in each of the last two
years.
A list of the providers in the two and five mile radii is attached at Annex A.
Population statistics and projections
Officials have considered the NISRA birth rates and population predictions to identify
potential future trends.
Birth statistics by academic year for all wards which fall at least partially
within a 5 mile radius of Lough View IPS indicate a decrease of 110 (-2.6%)
in the pre-school cohort between September 2016 admissions and
September 2018 admissions (4186 to 4076). A list of wards is attached at
Annex B.
Population projections for 3 year olds for the Belfast and Castlereagh and
Lisburn councils predict an increase of 92 (1.4%) from 6,417 to 6,509
between 2016 and 2019. The trend then suggests a steady decline of 402
(6.2%) from 6,509 to 6,107 between 2019 and 2027.
These figures suggest that demand is likely to slightly decrease in the longer term;
however they do not fully take into account population migration and other factors, so
can only be indicators of the future pre-school population and are not an exact
predictor of demand.
The case for change advises that the Belfast Metropolitan Area Plan (BMAP) paper
(June 2007) suggests that some 3565 new houses are expected to be built in the
Castlereagh area during the life of the plan – these plans are not taken into account
in the NISRA population projections.
52
The EA has advised that it supports the proposed change, stating that the withdrawal
of The Learning Tree from the PSEP would create a shortfall of pre-school places in
the area.
The ETI state that Lough View Integrated Primary School and Nursery Unit was last
inspected in May 2011. In the areas inspected, the quality of education provision by
the school was very good and in the nursery unit, the quality of provision was
outstanding.
The ETI advice, which was provided prior to the announcement that The Learning
Tree had decided to withdraw from the PSEP, considered that the opening of an
additional pre-school unit at Lough View IPS could negatively impact on other pre-
school providers in the area.
It also noted that the case for change did not provide evidence of an unmet need for
pre-school places in the area, but rather relied upon the popularity of the setting.
ETI also reflected upon the fact that morning pre-school sessions are generally
preferred by parents to afternoon sessions and suggested that some parents may
chose a morning session in another setting over an afternoon session in Lough View
IPS.
Integrated Education
Under the 1989 Education Reform (NI) Order, the Department has a statutory duty to
‘encourage and facilitate the development of integrated education’. The duty under
the 1989 Order must be considered alongside the duty under Article 44 of the 1986
Order (to educate in accordance with the wishes of parents as far as is compatible
with the provision of effective teaching and learning and the avoidance of
unreasonable public expenditure).
Pre-school provision is not defined according to sectors (e.g. Integrated, Roman
Catholic, maintained), so all pre-school setting, regardless of location, are
considered accessible to children from all backgrounds. All pre-school settings
follow the same curricular guidance which accommodates ensuring equality of
53
opportunity, pointing to staff acknowledging and respecting the culture, beliefs and
lifestyles of the families of all children. However it is acknowledged that in some
cases parents may, nevertheless, have a preference for the ethos of pre-school
education in schools with an integrated management type and this is taken into
account in the EYT advice.
There are 3 pre-school providers in schools with an integrated management type
within 5 miles of Lough View IPS; these are Forge Integrated Primary School,
Cranmore Integrated Primary School and Cliftonville Integrated Primary School.
Over the last two years all three schools have been oversubscribed with 1
st
preference pre-school applications.
Setting
September 2015
1
st
preference
applications
September 2015
places filled
September
2015 1
st
preference
applications
to date
Lough View IPS
52
26
47
Forge IPS
46
47
43
Cranmore IPS
22
24
29
Cliftonville IPS
38
26
39
TOTAL
158
123
158
This suggests that parents in the area may have a preference for pre-school
provision with an integrated management type, as suggested by the case for
change.
Impact on voluntary and private sector providers
The Pre-school Education Programme (PSEP) is a partnership between statutory
and voluntary/private pre-school providers and both sectors are equally valued for
their contribution to the education of pre-school children. Both sectors adhere to the
same curricular guidelines and are inspected to the same educational standards.
54
In considering DPs for statutory provision, careful consideration is given to the
impact of any new statutory provision on existing good quality voluntary/private
providers in PSEP.
The application trends for Lough View IPS, which both the case for change and EA
advise has an unusually wide catchment area, suggest that it would not face difficulty
in filling the requested places with target age children, as it has received no fewer
than 52 first preference applications for its 26 pre-school places in each of the last
three years. However it is possible that the creation of additional provision at the
setting could have a knock on effect in the wider five mile radius, causing a decrease
in the number of voluntary/private pre-school places required (potentially displacing
good quality provision already in place) and/or leading to an increase in two year old
children gaining access to provision in other statutory settings.
However, given the high number of temporary flexibility requests granted in the area
in the last two years, the planned exit of The Learning Tree from the PSEP, the
projected population growth in the area and the advice of the PEAG that it faces a
shortfall of provision in the area and that voluntary and private providers in the
Dundonald area (within the 5 mile radius) are unable to expand to provide places
beyond the current level, it appears that the approval of this is proposal would be
unlikely to have a detrimental impact on current good quality pre-school provision in
the area, although some minor adjustments to the number of funded places provided
may be necessary. It also seems unlikely that the proposal would significantly
increase the number of underage children accessing pre-school places in the area in
the longer term.
Summary of key points
The proposed level of provision is below the planning figure at 2 miles
(91.2%), but much higher at 5 miles (98%, rising to 98.6% if the proposal in
respect of Dundonald PS is approved)
Lough View has pupils from a very wide area attending its nursery unit and
primary school.
55
The EA has advised that the withdrawal of “The Learning Tree” playgroup in
June 2016, will create a shortfall in the area.
NISRA population projections suggest slight decline in the pre-school cohort,
however BMAP plans include significant numbers of new homes for the area
which are not accounted for in those figures.
The number of Temporary Flexibility requests approved within 5 miles has
increased in the last year from 26 to 45.
Under the 1989 Education Reform (NI) Order, the Department of Education
(DE) has a statutory duty to ‘encourage and facilitate the development of
integrated education’. Pre-school is non-sectoral and accessible to all.
There is evidence of a preference for pre-school education in schools with an
integrated management type in the area, which must be balanced with the
duty under Article 44 of the 1986 Order
Overall recommendation
Based on the evidence and information available, the Early Years Team support the
development proposal to increase provision to 52 part-time places from 1 September
2016 or as soon as possible thereafter. at Lough View IPS.
This recommendation is made on the basis that the proposal would help to address
the projected shortfall in pre-school provision in the area, and would assist in
meeting the Programme for Government commitment to ensure that at least one
year of pre-school education is available to every family that wants it.
56
Annex A
List of the providers in the two and five mile radii of Lough View IPS
2 mile radius
Nursery Schools
1116158
Ravenscroft NS
1130027
Bethlehem NS
4116239
Knockbreda NS
4116240
Castlereagh NS
Primary Schools with Nursery Units
1010146
Euston Street PS
1010157
Rosetta PS
1010255
Elmgrove PS
1010273
Orangefield PS
1010304
Greenwood PS
4011683
Braniel PS
4013024
Cairnshill PS
4066579
Lough View IPS
Voluntary and private pre-schools
1AB0306
St Colmcille's PreSchool Playgroup
1AB0610
Flutterbies Playgroup
1BB0491
Forge Integrated Playgroup
1CA0410
Wee Care Day Nursery
1CA0633
Hillcrest Pre-School
4AA0156
Mount Oriel Playgroup
4AB0381
St Bernard's PreSchool Education Centre, Belfast
4BB0162
Cregagh PreSchool Playgroup
4CA0628
The Learning Tree
Primary schools without nursery
1010232
Harding Memorial PS
1010252
Strandtown PS
1036140
St Michael's PS, Belfast
1036246
St Joseph's PS, Holland Drive
1056535
Forge Integrated PS
1620023
Downey House School
4011606
Gilnahirk PS
4011632
Cregagh PS
4011657
Lisnasharragh PS
4011674
Knockbreda PS
4013043
Lead Hill PS
4031676
St Bernard's PS, Belfast
57
5 mile radius
Nursery Schools
1110001
Arellian NS
1110002
McArthur NS
1110003
Edenderry NS, Belfast
1110025
Tudor Lodge NS
1110036
New Lodge NS
1110038
Shaftesbury NS
1116011
Victoria NS
1116074
Glendhu NS
1116155
Hope NS
1116157
Stanhope Street NS
1116159
Oldpark NS
1116160
Sandbrook NS
1136106
St Martin's NS
1136228
St Bernadette's NS
1136230
Holy Family Nursery
1136251
Our Lady's NS
1136289
Holy Rosary NS
1136314
St Teresa's NS
1136315
St Michael's NS
1136316
Holy Child NS
1136340
St Peter's NS
1136349
Matt Talbot NS
1136353
St Maria Goretti NS
1136360
Holy Cross NS
1136603
The Cathedral NS
4116216
King's Road NS
Primary Schools with Nursery Units
1010266
Seaview PS, Belfast
1010267
Nettlefield PS
1010301
Taughmonagh PS
1010324
Stranmillis PS
1013018
Knocknagoney PS
1016059
Blackmountain PS
1016205
Fane Street PS
1016242
Dundela Infants School
1016499
Botanic PS
1030868
St Anne's PS, Belfast
1036075
St Bride's PS
1036466
St Malachy's PS, Belfast
58
1036505
St Matthew's PS, Belfast
1036576
Holy Child PS, Belfast
1036624
St Paul's PS, Belfast
1036630
St Clare's PS, Belfast
1046571
Gaelscoil Na Bhfal
1046593
Bunscoil An Tsleibhe Dhuibh
1046596
Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagain
1046641
Scoil An Droichid
1056483
Cliftonville Integrated PS
4011587
Dundonald PS
4013013
Belvoir Park PS
4016503
Brooklands PS
4031660
St Joseph's PS, Carryduff
4036642
St Ita's PS
Voluntary and private pre-schools
1AA0423
Malone Nursery School
1AB0006
Holy Cross PreSchool Playgroup
1AB0025
Wishing Well Family Centre
1AB0427
174, Trust Playgroup
1AB0428
Naiscoil Mhic Rheachtain
1AB0477
Little Ducks
1BB0003
St John's PreSchool Playgroup
1BB0012
Our Lady's PreSchool Playgroup
1BB0015
Na¡scoil na M¢na
1BB0018
Springhill Playgroup
1BB0024
Benmore Playgroup
1BB0476
Na¡scoil an Lonn in
1BB0492
Sunshine Playgroup, Belfast
1BB0494
Belmont Playcare
1BB0507
Cranmore Integrated Primary School Playgroup
1BB0531
Springfield Primary School Playgroup
1CA0411
Early Learners Day Nursery
1CA0590
Little Hands, Little Feet Day Nursery
1CA0609
Kids @ BT9 Day Nursery
1CA0635
Bright Sparks, Belfast
1CA0636
Child's Play Day Nursery, Belfast
1CA0649
Kids First Daycare
1CA0650
Village Sure Start
1CA0651
Windsor Womens Centre
1CA0652
YMCA Daycare
4AA0526
Hundred Acre Wood Playgroup
4AB0151
Ballybeen Women's Centre PreSchool
4AB0513
Tiggers Palace Day Nursery
4BB0170
Carryduff PreSchool Playgroup
4BB0384
Toddlein Playgroup
59
4CA0611
Little Gems Day Nursery
4CA0638
First Steps Day Nursery, Belfast
Primary schools without nursery
1010012
Belmont PS
1010063
Currie PS
1010205
Forth River PS
1010221
Springfield PS
1010307
Springhill PS
1010323
Edenbrooke PS
1010806
Finaghy PS
1016060
Donegall Road PS
1016207
Blythefield PS
1016485
Glenwood PS
1016498
Malvern PS
1016647
Bunscoil Mhic Reachtain
1016655
Victoria Park PS
1030194
Holy Cross Boys' PS, Belfast
1030326
Our Lady's PS, Belfast
1030327
Holy Rosary PS
1036132
St Therese of Lisieux PS
1036388
St Mary's PS, Divis St
1036471
Sacred Heart PS, Belfast
1036565
St Kevin's PS
1036566
Holy Family PS, Belfast
1036589
St Teresa's PS, Belfast
1036620
St Peter's PS, Belfast
1036621
St Joseph's PS, Slate Street
1036623
Holy Trinity PS, Belfast
1036688
St John The Baptist PS, Belfast
1036697
John Paul II PS
1036698
St Patrick's PS, Churchill St
1046671
Gaelscoil na Mona
1046672
Gaelscoil an Lonnain
1066580
Cranmore Integrated PS
1620020
Campbell College Junior School
1620022
Fullerton House Preparatory School
1620027
Inchmarlo
1620089
Strathearn Prep Dept
1620264
Victoria College Prepatory School
4011699
Moneyrea PS
4013038
Tullycarnet PS
4013044
Carryduff PS
4620044
Sullivan Upper School, Prep Dept
60
Annex B
Wards which fall at least partially within a 5 mile radius of Lough View IPS
Ardoyne
Ballygowan
Ballyhackamore
Ballyhanwood
Ballymacarrett
Ballymacbrennan
Ballyrainey
Beechill
Beechmount
Belmont
Botanic
Bradshaw's Brae
Cairnshill
Carrowreagh
Carryduff East
Carryduff West
Castleview
Cherryvalley
Cliftonville
Clonard
Comber North
Comber West
Craigavad
Cregagh
Crumlin(Belfast LGD)
Cultra
Drumbo
Duncairn
Enler
Falls
Falls Park
Finaghy
Fortwilliam
Galwally
Glen Road
Glencairn
Graham's Bridge
Highfield
Hillfoot
Holywood Demesne
Holywood Priory
Island
Knock
Knockbracken
Ladybrook
Legoniel
Lisbane
Lisnasharragh
61
Lough View
Lower Braniel
Malone
Minnowburn
Moneyreagh
Musgrave
New Lodge
Newtownbreda
Orangefield
Ravenhill
Rosetta
Shaftesbury
Shankill
Stormont
Sydenham
The Mount
Upper Braniel
Upper Malone
Upper Springfield
Water Works
Whiterock
Windsor
Woodvale
Wynchurch
62
ETI Comments
Appendix E
THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING INSPECTORATE RESPONSE TO A
DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL (DP)
SECTION 1 RESPONSE FORM
PHASE
Primary / Pre-school
ELB
South Eastern
DP REFERENCE NUMBER
(S)
No. 466
PROPOSAL (S)
Lough View Integrated Primary School proposes that the 26 part-
time nursery unit should be modified to a 52 part-time nursery unit
with effect from 1
st
September 2016, or as soon as possible
thereafter
DATE OF RECEIPT OF DP
(DI)
10 December 2015
DATE OF RETURN OF DP
(DI)
DATE OF RETURN to APPT
Via ACI
16
th
December 2015
ACI DIRECTORATE TITLE
Mr John Baird ACI
NAME OF DE CONTACT
AND DATE AS STATED ON
EMAIL
Note about this response:
(where relevant)
63
EDUCATIONAL PROVISION
Lough View Integrated Primary School and Nursery Unit was last inspected in May 2011.
In the areas inspected, the quality of education provided by the school was very good and in
the nursery unit, the quality of education provided was outstanding.
ETI KNOWLEDGE
Currently, the nursery unit is a single unit that caters for the educational needs of 26 children
on a part-time pattern of attendance. The unit’s pattern of attendance is in line with the
Government’s objective to provide a quality part-time nursery place for all those children
whose parents wish them to have one.
The nursery unit is part of the wider pre-school provision in the Education Authority’s South-
Eastern area which includes eleven other settings.
The settings include:
Name of Centre Distance From Lough View IPS Outcome at the last inspection
St. Joseph’s PS Nursery Unit – 3.7 miles Outstanding
St Ita’s PS Nursery Unit – 2.6 Outstanding
Carryduff Preschool Playgroup - 4.7 miles Very Good
Mount Oriel Preschool Playgroup - 2.1 miles Very Good
St Bernard’s Preschool Playgroup – 2.1 miles Satisfactory
Knockbreda Nursery School – 2.1 miles Very Good
Castlereagh Nursery School – 1.3 miles Very Good
Cregagh PS Preschool Playgroup – 2.5 miles Very Good
Toddle In Playgroup Moneyrea – 3.6miles Very Good
King’s Road Nursery School - 3.1 miles Good
The Learning Tree Preschool PG - 322 ft New Group
RATIONALE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF ETI EVIDENCE
Currently, there are eleven other pre-school providers within a five- mile radius of Lough
View Integrated Primary School.
The Department of Education have indicated that no other pre-school provider should be
displaced as a result of the opening or extension of provision within an area. ETI’s view
would be that the opening of another unit in close proximity to the existing provision would
have a negative impact on the enrolment numbers in some of these settings.
All pre-school provision, regardless of ‘type’ i.e. voluntary, maintained, controlled, integrated,
Irish Medium etc. is ‘community- based’ and caters for children from all social, religious and
cultural backgrounds.
To that end, the Department of Education has ensured that all new nursery units built since
the beginning of the pre-school expansion programme are located a distance from the
primary school for ease of access to all members of the local community.
64
A nursery unit is therefore not seen to be the ‘feeder’ to a particular primary school. It can
be the case that children who attend a nursery unit may not attend the adjoining primary
school.
MATTERS ARISING OR FURTHER QUERIES BY ETI
The proposal does not outline clearly the full range of provision available in the area.
The proposal does not state clearly if an audit has been carried out which indicates a short
fall in the number of available places in the area which results in children not getting a pre-
school place.
Although the school indicates high levels of applications over a two- year period, there is no
evidence to support that the children who applied for a place in Lough View IPS did not get a
pre-school place in one of the other local settings.
Parents often make multiple applications to a range of settings; whilst they may not get their
first choice; there is no evidence to suggest they are not satisfied with the placement they
get for their child.
It is commonly recognised that the morning pre-school session is favoured by parents; there
is no guarantee that the afternoon session would be as acceptable to the parents; they may
still choose a morning session in one of the other settings over the afternoon session in
Lough View IPS and nursery unit.
RECOMMENDATION
The educational provision provided currently by the Nursery unit is outstanding and the
leadership of the school have the capacity to ensure a high quality education if the two part-
time sessions were to be authorised by DE.
However, the decision to provide, or not, a change to the structure of the nursery unit
provision in Lough View Integrated Primary School and Nursery Unit will have to balance a
range of competing issues. They are :
1. the Government’s commitment to expanding the choice for parents to access
integrated education; and
2. the impact that the provision of a second session would have on the sustainability of
other pre-school providers in the area.
