Nursery at NCEA Thomas Bewick C of E Primary School

Conversation and outdoor learning give Thomas Bewick’s early years provision its character. Adults develop children’s vocabulary through questions and conversation, while outdoor education begins in nursery. This puts both language and the natural world into the picture from the start.

Based on Moorhouse Lane in Ashington’s Hirst area, the school has provision for two-year-olds alongside its nursery. The Early Years Centre admits children aged two and three, with a maximum of 20 children per morning session and 20 per afternoon session. Nursery entry normally follows a child’s third birthday, starting the next term. Ofsted rated the school’s early years provision Good at its inspection on 14 and 15 May 2024; this judgement covers early years within the school.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings learning, development, health and safety together, preparing children with knowledge and skills for school life. Here, communication has a clear place in that work. In May 2024, adults introduced demanding vocabulary, asked purposeful questions and sustained conversations with children. The value for a young child is practice in expressing ideas, with adults extending the language they can use.

Learning spaces were well equipped and helped children develop their understanding. Outdoors, the school’s Forest School occupies part of its playing field. Blyth Star Enterprises created benches and outdoor workstations, plus mud kitchens with hidden fairy doors and an area for a fire pit. These are concrete spaces for outdoor learning, rather than simply a field to play on. The school promotes learning outdoors from nursery onwards, aiming to build children’s awareness of nature and the benefits of time outside.

Additional support sits within the school’s SEND structure. A qualified SEND co-ordinator leads provision, and a speech and language therapist directs speech and language teaching assistants across the campuses. For families concerned about communication, that gives language support a defined team structure.

The school uses Assess, Plan, Do, Review to organise support around individual needs. Parents of children with SEND have termly meetings with the class teacher, the SEND co-ordinator or both, so progress can inform changes to teaching and planning. Resources and the curriculum are adapted to individual children, with referrals to external services where needed. Families can arrange a discussion about their child’s needs by calling 01670 812075. Concerns about a child’s welfare can be raised with any member of staff.

A separate application matters. Attending the part-time nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply again for primary provision through the normal admissions process, following Northumberland County Council procedures and meeting the relevant deadline. Choosing nursery and securing a school place are separate decisions; nursery attendance should not be treated as an offer of Reception admission.

Morning and afternoon sessions are offered in the Early Years Centre, with preference given to children receiving local authority funding. There are separate application forms for the two-year-old provision and nursery, allowing families to apply for the appropriate stage.

To make an enquiry, call 01670 812075 or email admintb@thomasbewick.ncea.org.uk. Visits to the early years provision can be arranged by contacting the school, giving families an opportunity to see the nursery before choosing it.