St Clement's Church of England Academy Nursery Review

Early reading and the first steps towards handwriting give this nursery profile its clearest character. Nursery provision forms part of St Clement's Church of England Academy, a Church of England primary school in Nechells, Birmingham. The school's age range starts at three; its nursery sits within that wider primary setting.

The most useful picture of learning comes from the early-years findings from May 2024. These describe an emphasis on phonics, close checks on children's progress and additional teaching when children need help keeping pace. For parents, that makes the beginnings of reading and writing the clearest features to weigh when considering this provision.

Phonics has a prominent place in early-years learning. In May 2024, staff had training to teach it, with work in small groups and assessment used to spot gaps. The practical significance is the connection between teaching and follow-up: children's progress is checked, and a difficulty can lead to extra teaching rather than simply moving on to the next step.

Writing begins alongside phonics. Children work on recognising letter shapes and learning the correct pencil grip, linking the beginnings of reading with the physical task of writing. These are concrete early steps, rather than a claim about later attainment. The May 2024 early-years findings assessed this start to handwriting positively.

For a parent thinking about the learning day, those details give a specific focus: letters, pencil control and teaching in smaller groups. They also show why progress checks matter. Identifying a gap has a purpose when it leads to another opportunity to practise and learn.

Additional learning support is tied to need. In the May 2024 early-years findings, children could receive further phonics sessions when necessary to help them keep pace. That condition matters: the extra teaching responds to a difficulty identified through assessment.

Small-group work and these additional sessions provide two connected forms of support. For families, the useful distinction is between the initial teaching and the further help that follows when a child needs it. The evidence supports that specific learning arrangement within early years.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place at St Clement's. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline.

Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as separate decisions. Choosing this provision is a decision about the child's nursery education; it should not be treated as securing the next school place. The separation matters even when nursery and Reception belong to the same school.

The school is on Butlin Street, Nechells, Birmingham, B7 5NS. Its telephone number is 01214644652. This provides a direct contact route for families considering the nursery.