Thornhill Primary School, in partnership with Changing Lives Learning Trust, is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded the School-based Nursery Capital Grant for 2024-2025.
This grant is part of a national initiative to enhance early years education across the UK.
Schools were eligible to apply for a grant of up to £150,000 to repurpose or extend space to create or expand nursery provision. Thornhill Primary School is one of 300 schools across the UK and one of two in Cumberland to be approved for this grant.
The funding will allow Thornhill Primary School to increase its capacity, ensuring more families in the community have access to high-quality early years education. The project will include transforming the outdoor space in Early Years, making structural improvements internally, and expanding the number of spaces available in the nursery for 2- and 3-year-olds, including
funded childcare hours following the expansion of the government’s offer of funded childcare hours in September 2025.
Thornhill Primary School Headteacher, Georgina Mawson commented:
“I was delighted to receive the news that Thornhill Primary School’s School-based Nursery Grant has been successful. Our application to expand and develop our nursery provision is going to support us to improve our offer to the local community, creating a vibrant, engaging and inclusive environment, providing the community with high-quality early education for our
youngest members at Thornhill and ensuring children receive the best start in their education.
We are proud to have a school-based nursery which we can offer our local community. It supports us to develop strong relationships with our pupils from 2-years old, provide continuity for pupils into Reception and beyond, as well as provide strong foundations for success.”
Judith Schafer, CEO of Changing Lives Learning Trust added:
“This investment is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our staff at Thornhill Primary School. At Changing Lives Learning Trust, we are committed to ensuring that all children,
regardless of their background, have access to outstanding educational opportunities. This funding will enable us to create an inclusive and nurturing environment for all children and
families in our community, providing them with the best possible start in life.”
The funding is part of a national drive to Improve Early Years Education, aligning with the government’s Plan for Change, which aims to expand school-based nurseries across the
country by the end of this Parliament. Thornhill Primary School, working in partnership with Changing Lives Learning Trust, is committed to providing an inclusive and nurturing
environment for all children and families in our community.
