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Nursery at Sharples Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Recognising different sounds was the starting point for many children’s phonics learning in Sharples Primary School’s nursery in February 2025. Children also responded positively to familiar stories, songs and rhymes. These details give parents a concrete picture of early reading activities, from listening to sounds to engaging with familiar texts.
This is the school’s own nursery provision in Sharples, Bolton. The school’s age range starts at three. Nursery learning belongs within the primary school, but choosing it and securing a later Reception place are separate decisions.
In February 2025, nursery children responded positively to familiar stories, songs and rhymes. For parents, these are concrete examples of the material used in early learning: familiar texts and songs sit alongside the work on recognising sounds.
Sound recognition is an early step towards reading. For many children, phonics learning starts during their nursery year, with different kinds of sounds providing the starting point. For parents, this gives a specific starting point to discuss with staff: how their child is learning to recognise sounds and how adults support that learning.
On 11 and 12 February 2025, trained staff supported early-years children in developing their understanding of phonics. For parents, the useful distinction is between hearing and recognising sounds and applying that knowledge to written words: the nursery work described starts with those listening foundations.
Staff training supports the early-years work on phonics. Children receive adult help as they develop their understanding of sounds and reading.
The February 2025 inspection also judged the school’s safeguarding arrangements effective. That finding concerns the school as a whole, including the setting in which its nursery operates; it is not a separate nursery inspection grade.
Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place at Sharples Primary School. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process. Treat the nursery choice as a decision about the nursery years, and the Reception application as a further step.
The learning described here gives children an introduction to sounds, stories and early reading. That educational preparation is distinct from an admissions entitlement: familiarity with the school does not itself secure a place.
The nursery’s school address is Hugh Lupus Street, Bolton, BL1 8RU. The school telephone number is 01204333077. These are the practical contact details for Sharples Primary School, whose nursery provision forms part of the school.
Yes. This is the nursery provision at Sharples Primary School in Bolton.
They learn to distinguish sounds and engage with familiar stories, rhymes and songs. For many children, phonics learning begins in the nursery year.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a place, and families must apply separately for Reception.
In February 2025, trained staff supported early-years children’s understanding of phonics, and nursery children responded positively to familiar stories, songs and rhymes.
Call 01204333077. The school address is Hugh Lupus Street, Bolton, BL1 8RU.
