Askam Village School Nursery

Play provides a starting point for maths at Askam Village School’s nursery: adults use children’s interests alongside planned group teaching to develop an understanding of numbers. This is a nursery class within a primary school serving children from age three, on Lots Road in Askam-in-Furness.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good following its inspection on 15 and 16 June 2022. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery. The nursery teacher also holds the Early Years Leader role, linking classroom teaching with responsibility for this stage of education.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guides maths here. In practice, children have opportunities to try mathematical ideas during play, alongside a daily group session. Adults pick up useful teaching opportunities as play unfolds and combine these with White Rose planning. This gives children both space to follow an interest and time for focused teaching.

Number sense is a specific priority. Children practise recognising a small group of objects immediately, rather than counting each object individually. Mathematical vocabulary is modelled by adults, with opportunities to connect maths to everyday situations. For parents, the emphasis is on understanding quantities and using mathematical language, rather than simply reciting numbers.

Kapow Primary Music supplies a sequence of learning beginning in EYFS. Physical education uses Get Set 4 PE, with progression planned from Nursery onwards. These named approaches place music and movement alongside number learning, rather than leaving the nursery curriculum defined by maths alone.

In June 2022, learning expectations included early years, and children began learning predictable routines at this stage. Inspectors also identified a school-wide weakness in checking earlier learning in some subjects, which could delay recognition of gaps and changes to teaching.

During June 2022, children in early years reported feeling secure and happy. Expectations for behaviour began in Nursery, giving children an early introduction to how the class works together.

Support for special educational needs and/or disabilities extended into early years: staff helped children take part in the curriculum alongside their peers. This matters for families seeking participation in classroom learning as well as additional help.

The school’s meal arrangements use School Gateway for food orders, while its packed-lunch guidance encourages balanced choices. These are school-level arrangements to keep in mind when organising food for a child’s attendance.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.

Nursery doors open at 9am. For enquiries, contact the school office on 01229 462814 or email office@askam.cumbria.sch.uk; the office directs questions to the appropriate staff member. School visits can be arranged by appointment through the office, giving families a direct way to see the school in action.

The school uniform policy applies to pupils throughout the school year. It includes grey bottoms, a white shirt or polo shirt and a burgundy sweatshirt bearing the school logo, so clothing forms part of the practical preparation for attending.