Twickenham Primary School Nursery

Paint, clay and the first steps in phonics give Twickenham’s nursery its character: practical exploration alongside an introduction to reading. This is the nursery within Twickenham Primary School in Kingstanding, Birmingham, taking children at the start of the academic year in which they turn four. It belongs to the school’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), with learning extending indoors and outside.

The emphasis is on doing. Children can experiment with materials, make models and develop control through creative activity, giving them ways to express ideas before writing becomes fluent.

Read Write Inc. starts in Nursery. This phonics programme introduces the relationship between sounds and written language, making early reading a named part of the nursery experience. Alongside it, EYFS writing activities combine adult guidance with opportunities for children to make marks independently. That gives children both an introduction to a skill and space to try it themselves.

Creative materials remain accessible for children to pursue their ideas. Painting, modelling and mark making take place across the indoor and outdoor learning spaces; clay and paint provide practical opportunities to develop hand control. Model making and play also introduce design and technology. Children try foods, cook and learn safe ways to handle basic kitchen equipment, connecting learning with familiar everyday tasks.

Exploration reaches beyond materials. EYFS children investigate their surroundings at school and locally, while familiar stories and conversations about their own experiences introduce the difference between past and present. These are concrete ways of learning about the world and other people.

In October 2022, Ofsted found that early number learning used hands-on tasks alongside rhymes and songs, but identified weaknesses in checking early writing. Some children had difficulty gripping a pencil, affecting their writing. Early writing checks. This was an explicit improvement priority, making attention to pencil grip an important consideration for families.

In October 2022, early-years staff worked with families to help children adjust to school, and predictable routines helped children feel secure and content. Settling was a shared task between home and staff, rather than simply a change of timetable.

Across the school, parent contact includes progress reports, parents’ evenings, email and Google Classroom. Families are directed first to their child’s class teacher when concerns arise. Communication. In October 2022, a small group of parents felt their concerns were not being heard or resolved; leaders were asked to listen and respond promptly. Families should weigh that concern alongside the settling support.

The school’s inclusion structure includes a SENCo, a behaviour and inclusion leader, and a senior mental health lead. A learning mentor and counsellor also form part of the pastoral team. School catering staff are employed directly, allowing the school to shape its menus; families whose child eats a school meal must tell the office about allergies or intolerances.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through the normal Reception admissions process and meet its deadline.

Full-time nursery attendance at the point of application does confer an oversubscription priority. It comes after the looked-after and previously looked-after category and the sibling category, following admission of children whose qualifying plan names the school. The full-time condition matters: this priority does not cover nursery attendance generally, and it remains a priority rather than a promised place.

Prospective parents are encouraged to arrange a school visit. General enquiries go to the office on 0121 6756840 or enquiry@twickenhamprimary.co.uk.

The school uniform combines a royal blue cardigan, jumper or sweatshirt with grey or black bottoms, a light blue or white top and black shoes. Branding is optional. This gives families flexibility over where they buy clothing. Second-hand uniform may also be available through the office.