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Nursery at Ackton Pastures 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Conversation, early reading and learning to handle feelings give Ackton Pastures’ early years provision its character. The nursery belongs to the primary academy on College Grove in Whitwood, Castleford, within Inspire Partnership. It is school nursery provision, with its educational work assessed as part of the academy’s early years.
At the inspection on 7 and 8 March 2023, Ofsted graded early years Good. That judgement came with a specific curriculum concern, so the useful picture for parents includes both the strengths in relationships and teaching and the need for more precise planning.
Communication has a clear place in the learning. In March 2023, children were supported to talk with one another and develop their vocabulary. Early reading and maths teaching were effective. For a nursery child, these are foundations for expressing an idea, understanding another child and beginning to work with words and numbers.
The early years curriculum identified intended learning by the end of nursery. However, in March 2023, its detail and sequence needed attention: activities did not consistently build the understanding and skills children needed for their next educational stage. Curriculum planning. The concern was about how learning accumulated over time. Families should weigh that alongside the positive findings about early reading, maths and communication.
At trust level, a shared early years curriculum has been developed, with staff development covering early years practice. Inspire Partnership also calls its broader educational approach CHAT. The trust aims for confident conversation, careful work, achievement and technical fluency. These are trust ambitions, rather than a description of a nursery session timetable.
Positive relationships were a strength in early years in March 2023. Children were happy, and adults helped them understand and regulate their emotions. That matters alongside the teaching: learning to express frustration or cope with a feeling is part of being able to join in with other children.
Support also has a trust structure. Inspire Partnership’s inclusion team includes an educational psychologist, an educational welfare officer and a SEND lead. Across the trust’s schools, the team provides staff training and group consultations about inclusion. This gives school staff a route to professional advice; it does not establish an individual support package for a nursery child.
Early Years and SEND staff networks meet each half term within the trust, giving colleagues opportunities to develop practice together.
Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Nursery and Reception admissions are separate: families must make a fresh application through the normal Reception process and meet its deadline. Treat the nursery choice and the later school application as two decisions.
The academy’s address is College Grove, Whitwood, Castleford, WF10 5NS. For nursery enquiries, contact the school on 01977 802322 or email ap-enquiries@inspirepartnership.org.uk.
Yes. It is the nursery provision within Ackton Pastures Primary Academy.
Early years was graded Good at the inspection on 7 and 8 March 2023. This was an early years judgement within the school inspection, not a separate nursery inspection.
In March 2023, children were happy, relationships with staff were positive, and early reading and maths teaching were effective. Adults also supported communication and emotional development.
No. Families need to apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process.
Call 01977 802322 or email ap-enquiries@inspirepartnership.org.uk.
