A RIDING MILL school has its eyes on a temporary home whilst it finalises plans for its long-term future.
Riding Mill Outdoor Preschool (RMOP) says that the village parish council has agreed to let it use a section of woodland in the lead up to a move to Wentworth Grange care home in Riding Mill.
In September 2024, Riding Mill Outdoor Preschool, currently based on land owned by Broomhaugh C of E First School, was informed by the latter that it would have to vacate its current premises by July 2026, with the first school needing the land back for its own use.
Since then, volunteers and staff at the pre-school - which parents of pupils have described as a 'very special place' - have been hard at work fundraising and exploring the logistics around new site options.
The school has since settled on a site at Wentworth Grange, with Carole Smith, the chair of RMOP, previously saying: "There are many, well-documented advantages of inter-generational activities which benefit old and young alike."
After facing delays in the planning permission process for Wentworth Grange - citing the need for 'special surveys' which can only take place in the spring - Riding Mill Parish Council 'unanimously agreed' to contingency plans, which allow RMOP to use a patch of woodland close to its current Broomhaugh site temporarily from September 2026.
The preschool is now ramping up fundraising efforts for logistical and building costs, both for its temporary woodland site and for Wentworth Grange. This includes a Christmas Ceilidh, in aid of the school, taking place on Saturday, December 13.
"It will require some serious effort from the Preschool Committee, staff and parents, along with members of the community, but all stakeholders are totally committed to making sure the preschool remains in the village and thrives as it is currently," said Ruth Brown, leader of RMOP.
"We’re running a Christmas Ceilidh in December; the band consists of parents, staff and grandparents of children at the preschool and are well-known local musicians.
"Last year’s event was brilliant and brought the whole preschool and village community together, raising important funds for our relocation, which we need more than ever if we are to continue to thrive in the village."
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