A WEST Devon school has officially linked itself with a local pre-school to improve the experience of children starting their education.

North Tawton Pre-School and North Tawton Primary have joined forces to form a Foundation Stage Unit (FSU).

The FSU links the reception classes and pre-school, providing care, education and enrichment for children aged from two and a half years to 5 in a fully inclusive environment.

The primary school and pre-school have always worked closely together to ensure a smooth transition into primary school for children, and the new formal partnership falls in line with laws governing the education of children aged 0 to 5 years old, passed in 2008.

Bridget Kamel, manager of the pre-school said: 'This is a very exciting time and we are extremely confident that these changes will make the education offered in the early years at North Tawton outstanding.

Nick D'Agorne, headteacher of North Tawton Primary, explained the advantages of the new partnership: 'Children aged 3 to 4 at pre-school and children aged 4 to 5 at school are in the same key stage, called the foundation stage, so their learning is organised in the same way.

'This changes when children move into Year 1 at school as they move into what is called Key Stage 1. It is therefore a huge advantage to have 3 to 4 year olds and 4 to 5 year olds learning together in the same environment, and this is at the heart of the new North Tawton Foundation Stage Unit.

'I am extremely pleased with the way that the new foundation unit has developed, thanks to the vision and careful planning initiated by the pre-school manager Bridget Kamel and the school's reception class teacher, Helen Martin, in a true spirit of co-operation.'

For more information on the new North Tawton Foundation Stage Unit, call the pre-school on 01837 880165.