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Nursery at St Oswald's Church of England Primary Academy
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Starting points matter here. In November 2023, children in the early years made progress through a curriculum shaped around what they already knew and could do. That gives families a more useful picture than the school's overall grade alone.
St Oswald's Church of England Primary Academy has nursery provision from age two, with enquiries covering two-year-olds and children aged three and four. It sits within the primary academy on Cross Lane in Bradford. At the inspection on 15 and 16 November 2023, Ofsted judged early years provision Good; the whole school's overall judgement was Requires improvement. Those judgements have different scopes.
Learning builds from the individual child. In November 2023, teaching in the early years used deliberately chosen methods for different parts of the curriculum, helping children grasp the knowledge they needed. For parents, the significant detail is the connection between children's starting points and the teaching that follows.
The November 2023 inspection also required staff across the school to improve assessment: spotting missing knowledge and misunderstandings promptly, then using that information to decide what to teach next. This was a school-wide action alongside the positive early years findings.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework for learning, development and care for children aged zero to five. Its learning areas bring together language and communication, movement, emotional and social development, reading and writing, maths, creative expression and understanding the world. The nursery years therefore involve more than preparation for reading: physical and social development count too.
Early reading was taught well in November 2023, and children in the early years showed enthusiasm for reading lessons. Alongside learning, staff helped children establish routines and practise polite behaviour. These everyday habits supported their social development, giving learning and relationships a place in the day.
Additional support follows the school's graduated approach: assess a child's needs, plan support, put it into practice and review its effect. Where special educational provision is needed, extra help and an individual programme are accompanied by a Graduated Approach Plan (GAP). Parents, the child and school contribute to that plan, so families have a role in tracking progress.
Support considers learning and thinking, communication, emotional and social needs, and sensory or physical difficulties. Teachers adapt their planning to children's needs. The SEND coordinator can offer advice, suggest other sources of help and provide resources for use at home; an appointment can be arranged through the school telephone number.
For a concern about SEND provision, the first conversation is with the class teacher. The SEND coordinator is the next contact if the issue remains unresolved. This gives parents a clear sequence for raising difficulties.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the local authority where their child lives, following the normal application timetable.
For September 2026 entry, Bradford District residents were directed to the online admissions system between 17 November 2025 and 15 January 2026. Children with a formally agreed offset needed a paper application instead; families whose form had not arrived by the end of November were directed to contact the School Admissions Team. That application window is now past. Keep the nursery enquiry and the Reception application as separate tasks when planning your child's next step.
The nursery enquiry form lets families select either the two-year-old provision or the three- and four-year-old provision and request a school visit. It asks for a name and contact number, with space for an email address. This provides a direct way to begin a conversation about joining.
Contact the school on 01274 573396 or email office@stoswalds.bdat-academies.org. Families seeking SEND advice can also use that telephone number to arrange an appointment.
The nursery takes children from age two. Enquiries cover two-year-olds and children aged three and four.
Early years provision was judged Good at the inspection on 15 and 16 November 2023. This was an early years judgement within the school's inspection, rather than a separate nursery inspection.
No. Families need to apply separately for Reception through the local authority where their child lives.
The school uses an assess, plan, do and review approach. Where special educational provision is required, a Graduated Approach Plan involves parents, the child and school in monitoring progress.
Yes. Families can request a school visit through the enquiry form and select the relevant nursery age group.
