Trevithick Learning Academy Nursery

Outdoor adventure gives the Little Piggies Class its character. Trevithick Learning Academy’s nursery serves children aged 2 to 4 in Camborne, with its own outdoor learning area, the Venture Centre, and a separate room for two-year-olds. This is a school nursery with a clear emphasis on learning outside.

Early years provision received a Good judgement at the Ofsted inspection on 15 and 16 November 2023. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

The Venture Centre gives outdoor learning a dedicated space. In November 2023, nursery children used the outdoor area to develop learning throughout the early years curriculum, with activities outside connected to the provision indoors. Outdoor time therefore has a learning purpose, rather than serving only as a break from the classroom.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) shapes the curriculum. Its nursery emphasis is on developing movement, helping children communicate and supporting their emotional and social development. For parents, that means the foundations of learning include expressing themselves, becoming physically capable and building relationships.

Stories and rhymes also have a clear place. In November 2023, even the two-year-olds were learning rhymes and paying attention to adults reading stories. Books begin early here.

Teaching challenge. The November 2023 inspection identified a school-wide concern: some tasks failed to extend pupils’ existing knowledge. Families should weigh that teaching concern alongside the specific nursery strengths in outdoor learning and early reading.

A consistent adult leads the two-year-old room, giving younger children someone familiar to get to know. Children can begin with fewer sessions and increase their attendance as they get older, allowing the weekly pattern to grow with them.

Support for special educational needs and disabilities involves the class teacher, a SEND coordinator and parents. Concerns can first be raised with the teacher; where extra help is needed, families meet staff to discuss the difficulty and proposed support. Individual Education Plans are used when required. For children receiving personalised SEN support, these plans are reviewed with parents each term, giving families a regular opportunity to discuss targets and adjustments.

Lunch can be added to nursery sessions, with a school dinner as a further charged option. Dinners are prepared on the school site, so families can combine session attendance with a meal.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Choosing the Little Piggies Class should therefore be a decision about the nursery experience, with the later school application treated separately.

Families can book between 2 and 10 morning or afternoon sessions each week. Sessions last 3 hours, and funded sessions can be combined with paid sessions. This gives parents scope to build a weekly pattern around their child’s attendance.

The nursery offers 15-hour and 30-hour government-funded provision for two-year-olds and for children aged 3 and 4. Paid extras include the lunch period, school dinners, Breakfast Club and After School Club. Contact the school for current charges.

For enquiries, telephone 01209 713460. School visits can be arranged by calling or making an appointment at the main reception. The academy is on Mount Pleasant Road, Camborne, TR14 7RH.