Westwoodside Church of England Academy Nursery Review

Role play, construction and mark making give Westwoodside’s nursery its practical character. Children begin from age three and belong to Pine Class, which brings nursery and Reception together within the Church of England academy. That shared class is a feature of daily organisation; it does not secure a later school place.

The academy joined St Lawrence Academies Trust on 1 September 2025. For parents choosing the nursery, the more immediate distinction is its session model: morning and afternoon attendance can be combined, with funded places covering up to 30 hours during term time.

Play and exploration shape learning in Pine. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum combines developing speech and communication, movement and social confidence with the beginnings of reading, writing and number work. The school aims to help children become more independent and curious through these experiences.

The learning spaces include provision for imaginative play, building, investigation and making marks. These give children different ways to explore ideas: acting out situations, constructing something or experimenting with early writing. Child-led learning and continuous provision are part of the approach, allowing children’s interests to help shape their activity.

Preparation for the next stage was an important early years concern in February 2025. Some children were insufficiently prepared to move on because essential learning had not been clearly defined. A curriculum review was ongoing. Adults’ encouragement of independence and the orderly learning environment were positive findings, but families should also consider the concern about how learning builds over time.

Relationships with families were a positive feature of early years in February 2025, and children showed curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. Contact with staff runs through the school office, while emails, Arbor messages and weekly newsletters keep parents informed. This gives families several routes for maintaining contact beyond conversations about an individual child.

School catering is provided by DOLCE, with lunches cooked each day in the academy kitchen. Alongside the main meal, choices include sandwiches, jacket potatoes and a vegetarian option. School Grid handles advance meal orders, either for individual days or a term. Dietary requirements can be discussed with the office, and families bringing packed lunches are asked to avoid nuts.

A special educational needs coordinator is part of the staff structure, with contact arranged through the office. North Lincolnshire’s Local Offer provides a further route to information about SEND services. These are useful contacts for families discussing additional needs and coordinating support.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority using the normal admissions process and its deadline. Treat choosing nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.

Pine Class includes both nursery and Reception children, but that organisation should not be confused with an admissions entitlement. Sharing a class does not remove the need to apply again.

Morning sessions run from 9:00 to 12:00; afternoons run from 12:30 to 15:30. Funded attendance is term time only, for up to 30 hours. Combinations include five mornings or two full days and a morning, giving families different ways to organise attendance.

For nursery enquiries and discussions about session combinations, contact the office on 01427 752 355 or admin@wws.academy. The academy is on Nethergate in Westwoodside, Doncaster, DN9 2DR.