Ingfield Manor School Nursery Review

Conductive Education gives Ingfield Manor’s early years provision its distinctive context: learning sits alongside the development of movement, communication and social skills. The nursery belongs to a special school whose intake starts at age 3, serving children with neurological motor impairments, including cerebral palsy, and related sensory and medical needs.

For families, the central consideration is how that approach fits their child. Ingfield Manor aims to help children express choices and build confidence, with individual needs shaping their learning rather than a single pathway for everyone.

Personal targets shape learning across the school. Education, Health and Care Plans inform annual goals, which are divided into termly objectives and then lesson targets. These address learning, communication and physical skills. That connects classroom activity to the abilities a child is working to develop in everyday life.

Progress is measured against the individual’s earlier achievements. Observations, completed activities and discussions between staff help inform subsequent teaching; objectives are reviewed each term. When a target needs further work, children have another opportunity to approach it in a more accessible way.

The wider school has a swimming pool, sensory room and woodland classroom space. These are concrete features of the learning environment. Communication resources include symbols and books, alongside eye gaze and voice output technology for children who need them, giving children different ways to participate and express themselves.

Support draws together therapy and nursing staff with specialists in hearing and visual impairment. The school also provides dietetics, a consultant paediatrician service and family psychotherapy. For children whose learning involves medical, physical and sensory needs, this team structure brings several kinds of support into the same setting.

A specialist speech and language therapist assesses each child’s communication, with their preferred method reviewed over time. Children have an allocated team member, and support plans identify behaviours that may signal dissatisfaction. This matters when a child expresses discomfort through behaviour rather than speech.

Parents receive learning objectives at the beginning of each term and progress feedback afterwards. Termly parents’ mornings provide another opportunity for discussion. Early Years parents can also request to observe lessons or arrange a conversation with their child’s teacher.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families should confirm Reception placement arrangements with the school and their child’s local authority: a placement offer depends on authority agreement and funding, an available place in the appropriate age group, and the effect on existing pupils’ learning.

Once funding is agreed in writing and a start date settled, an induction visit introduces the child to their group, staff and surroundings. Familiarisation and the placement decision are separate matters.

Contact the school office on 01403 782294 or email Ingfield.manor@ambitoeducation.co.uk to enquire. Parents can arrange an initial visit, usually including a tour and, where appropriate, time with the relevant age group. This gives families a concrete opportunity to discuss their child’s needs with staff.