School Wins £150k Cash Boost for Preschool Expansion
By Education Correspondent
A primary school is celebrating a huge £150,000 funding win to expand its preschool and meet soaring demand from families.
Locking Primary School has secured the cash injection from the Department for Education (DfE), unlocking plans to create 15 new preschool places and upgrade its early years facilities.
The investment will bring revamped learning spaces, modernised classrooms and improved play areas aimed at boosting children’s development in their earliest years.
In a major coup, the school is the only one in North Somerset to land the funding, with fewer than 10% of applications across the South West approved.
Local MP Dan Aldridge visited the school on Friday, meeting Headteacher Mrs Simpson, EYFS Lead Mrs Channon and staff to hear about the ambitious plans.
The expansion is expected to open in September 2026, with work taking place over the coming months. School leaders say they will work closely with the local authority and regulators to meet all requirements, while keeping disruption to a minimum.
The project will be overseen by ELAN Estates Lead Clive Farmer, allowing staff to stay focused on teaching and childcare.
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Headteacher Roxanne Simpson said:
“We are delighted to receive this investment from DFE. This will enable us to create 15 additional preschool places, helping us to meet the growing demand from families and ensure that more children in our community can benefit from highquality early years education. Over the coming months, this funding will support essential improvements to our preschool environment, including enhanced learning spaces, updated facilities, and areas designed to further enrich children’s play, exploration, and development.
"We are committed to ensuring that this expansion strengthens the nurturing, inspiring, and inclusive environment that our families value. This achievement is a reflection of our shared and ongoing commitment to giving children the very best start in their early education. We can’t wait to get started!”
The school, part of the Extend Learning Academies Network (ELAN), says the funding reflects the dedication of staff, governors and families in giving children the best possible start.
