Woodlands School Nursery Review

Communication starts with more than words at Woodlands: an object, photograph or gesture can help a child understand an activity or express a preference. The nursery belongs to a special school on Whitegate Drive in Blackpool, with provision for children aged two and support for severe and profound learning difficulties, including associated physical, medical and social communication needs.

Early years children start on the Foundation Pathway. This gives staff time to understand each learner before deciding which curriculum pathway suits their next steps. Ofsted recorded no children in the Nursery class during the inspection of 14 and 15 May 2024 and 16 July 2024, an important limit on applying its findings to nursery experience.

The Foundation Pathway uses the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Learning and assessment include physical development, communication and language, and personal, social and emotional development: movement, expressing needs and learning to interact are part of the educational work. Individual targets also connect to each child's Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Total Communication is the school's approach to helping children understand and respond. A child's cup can signal a drink; a painting apron can introduce an activity; a red bowl marks its finish. These concrete cues make the sequence of the day easier to anticipate. Choices might involve selecting between toys or using photographs to indicate a preferred activity.

Intensive Interaction develops early communication through adult responses to a child's sounds, expressions and movements. It can happen in individual sessions, during personal care or in the playground. The school also has a Sensory Room, level access, hoists and accessible changing facilities, linking the learning environment with physical care needs.

There is a curriculum caution. In May and July 2024, the pathways included early years, but some learning areas across the school needed clearer identification of the knowledge pupils should acquire. Staff adaptation of pre-reading work was another school-wide improvement priority; these concerns should not be read as observations of an occupied nursery class.

Starting arrangements can include additional visits, meetings with the class teacher at home and school, and an induction introduced in stages according to the child's needs. Teachers and teaching assistants provide daily class support. A Personalised Learning Programme brings educational arrangements and care together, while a One Page Profile records support information and preferred communication methods.

Therapy is connected to classroom work. Speech and language therapists help identify communication targets and demonstrate activities; the team attends school weekly, seeing individual pupils when needed or for review. Nursing, occupational therapy and physiotherapy support sit alongside teaching. This gives families a way to connect learning goals with medical and physical needs.

Tapestry carries photographs, video and observations between school and home, with parents able to contribute. Termly meetings provide time to discuss progress. Meals are prepared on site by Blackpool Schools' Catering Service, with dietary needs considered and packed lunches permitted. Early years children receive morning milk, and water is offered at snack time and lunch.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families need to address Reception placement separately through the appropriate admissions process. At Woodlands, Blackpool Local Authority arranges school admissions, and placement discussions involve its SEN Assessment and Commissioning Team and the child's EHCP. This is a special school placement context.

For a move to another setting, transition meetings and the transfer of pupil information support continuity of care and learning. That practical preparation is separate from securing a place.

The school timetable runs from registration at 9:05am to an official finish at 2:50pm. Parent vehicles enter from 9:00am in the morning and 2:50pm for collection; transport has separate access windows. These are school-wide arrangements.

Uniform is compulsory across the school, but branded clothing is optional. Grey bottoms accompany a white or green polo shirt and green knitwear or sweatshirt. For enquiries, call 01253 316722. Woodlands Tours can be booked by telephone; families exploring a placement can also contact Blackpool's SEND team, which advises on suitability and can arrange visits.