Parents' concern at rural nursery closure plans

Hundreds of parents have signed a petition to try to save a rural nursery from closure.

East Ruston Infant School and Nursery, near Happisburgh, shared the proposals in an email to parents last week, leading to concerns about a lack of rural provision.

The Broad Horizons Education Trust, which runs 17 schools in Norfolk, told parents that low numbers of children meant the nursery could close in September.

The BBC contacted the trust for comment.

About 340 people have signed a petition to save the nursery, and there are also plans to demonstrate outside the school.

In the letter to parents, the trust said: "The number of children on the school roll in the nursery has been falling in recent years and this has caused significant pressure on the school's overall budget.

"The local authority has confirmed that there are significantly more nursery places in the local areas than there are nursery-aged children."

Rachel Bowley, whose three children attend the school and nursery, said she wanted the school "to be accessible for all local children" in the future.

"Not all settings will be right for all children, and we chose East Ruston because it meets our children's individual needs," she added.

Parents have criticised the trust, claiming a lack of communication and engagement with families.

William Sands, a parent and local farmer, said: "The disappointing approach to requests for information and meetings with the trust and from the executive headteacher do not appear to align with the trust's values."

The trust launched a three-week consultation on the plans on 23 April, inviting feedback from parents, carers, and the wider community.

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