Fritchley CofE (Aided) Primary & Nursery School: Nursery Review

Hardwick brings Nursery and Reception together in one named class at Fritchley. That shared class structure is the defining feature of this school-attached provision on Church Street, in Fritchley, Belper. The school's age range starts at three; this review focuses on its nursery children.

A class teacher leads Hardwick and also holds responsibility for EYFS, mathematics, art and design technology. For families, that places the nursery within the school's teaching structure, with an identified early-years leadership role.

Learning in the early years foundation stage (EYFS) here includes developing children's first reading skills. Adult-guided learning and independent activities both feature in the early-years day. Ofsted's inspection on 8 May 2024 found that this combination helped children learn successfully, with early reading a particular strength. Children therefore have opportunities to work with a teacher as well as undertake activities independently, rather than following only one mode of learning.

That finding concerns the early years as a whole, which includes the combined Hardwick class. It gives parents a useful picture of the learning balance: adult involvement sits alongside opportunities for children to do things for themselves.

Support for special educational needs and disabilities follows a graduated approach across Fritchley Primary and Nursery. This recognises differences in how children learn and in the help they need. Class teachers work with parents and external agencies, giving families a role in discussing their child's needs alongside professional support.

The school's support structure includes a special educational needs coordinator and a governor responsible for special educational needs. Its SEND Information Report 2025, Whole School Provision Map and SEND and Inclusion Policy 2024 provide named reference points for families considering that support. The SEND page also links to the Derbyshire Local Offer.

Safeguarding responsibilities include a lead and deputy lead. Staff receive child-protection training, and staff and volunteers undergo DBS checks. Concerns about abuse or neglect are handled through procedures established by the Derbyshire Safeguarding Team, providing a defined route for responding to a child's welfare needs.

Attending Fritchley's nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. The school's admissions route directs parents to Derbyshire County Council, with its Primary Schools Admissions Department as the contact.

Hardwick's combined Nursery and Reception organisation is a classroom arrangement. Keep that distinction clear when planning the next stage: being part of the class as a nursery child does not itself secure admission to Reception.

Nursery enquiries go through the main school office. Telephone 01773 852216 or email enquiries@fritchley.derbyshire.sch.uk. The school is on Church Street, Fritchley, Belper, DE56 2FQ, giving families a direct contact and a clear location for correspondence.

For calendar planning, the school's autumn 2026 dates put the final pupil day of the first half-term on 22 October, followed by an INSET day on 23 October. Pupils return on 2 November, and the autumn term's final pupil day is 18 December. These school-calendar dates help families plan around the autumn breaks.