Cokethorpe School has secured planning permission to create a new nursery for children from nine months old, with the facility expected to open towards the end of 2026.
The independent school, near Witney, will transform the former Headmaster’s residence into a purpose-built nursery providing early years education until children reach school age.
Internal preparation work is already under way, while the school continues the registration process and works to meet the regulatory requirements required before opening. The nursery is expected to welcome its first children towards the end of 2026, subject to the completion of all necessary approvals, including registration with Ofsted.
The new nursery will be located within the school’s grounds and is intended to increase the availability of early years childcare places for families across Oxfordshire.
Harriet Stapleton, Bursar at Cokethorpe School, said: “We are pleased to have secured planning permission for the nursery and are now continuing with the work needed to prepare the building, complete the registration process and meet the regulatory requirements ahead of opening.
“This is an exciting milestone in the development of our nursery, offering an early years provision in a setting that makes the most of Cokethorpe’s beautiful rural surroundings, extensive outdoor space and excellent facilities. We look forward to sharing further details as the project progresses.”
Cokethorpe School is an independent co-educational day school for pupils aged four to 18, set within a 150-acre parkland estate near Witney. The school says the new nursery will extend its educational provision to children from nine months of age, supporting families seeking additional childcare options in the county.
