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Nursery at Cassop 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Play, exploration and a workshop give Cassop’s nursery its character. Nursery children share a class with Reception, placing their early learning within the school’s mixed-age structure. The early years provision uses Class 1, where activities are adapted to children’s individual needs and interests.
Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at its inspection on 28 and 29 March 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery. In March 2023, children were confident and happy in their learning, with care and warmth shaping the atmosphere.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) gives the day its learning framework. Its initial emphasis is on talking and understanding language, physical development, and children’s social and emotional growth. These priorities put communication, movement and relationships alongside learning about letters and numbers.
As children develop, the framework also covers mathematics and literacy, creative expression, and understanding the world. Staff use these areas to plan activities while adjusting them to individual children. Interests can influence the learning, rather than every child having to follow an identical activity.
Learning happens outdoors as well as inside. Children explore through play, take an active part and develop their thinking through creative activity. The workshop was a particular draw in March 2023: activities were carefully planned, and children enjoyed participating. Children also began playing and learning alongside one another from their earliest days in the provision, giving shared activity a clear place in the nursery experience.
Curriculum continuity. In March 2023, some foundation-subject learning was repeated unnecessarily because the steps between early years and Key Stage 1 needed clearer planning. This matters for families looking beyond the nursery: the next stage should extend what children already understand.
Individual needs influence the activities in Class 1. For families with a child who has special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), the school offers an appointment to discuss requirements. Its admissions guidance describes working with parents and relevant agencies to establish appropriate provision, so that conversation can focus on the child’s particular support needs.
Before admission, the school collects information about allergies, dietary preferences, health requirements and emergency contacts. Parents must update these details when they change. This gives the team information relevant to a child’s daily care and to contacting their family.
Safeguarding responsibilities sit with designated leads, and the school requires staff and volunteers to undertake child-protection training. Its procedures cover recognising concerns about behaviour, well-being or possible harm and reporting them through the safeguarding team.
Attending Cassop’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. The school directs parents to Durham County Council for primary admissions information; treat that application as a distinct step from joining nursery.
Families considering Cassop can contact the school to arrange a visit. This provides an opportunity to discuss joining the provision directly with the team. The school office can be reached on 0191 377 0293 or at p2362.admin@durhamlearning.net.
School documents can also be requested from the office in paper form or another format, free of charge. Families who need information presented differently therefore have a direct route to obtaining it.
The Early Years Foundation Stage guides learning, with activities adapted to children’s needs and interests.
Yes. Cassop has a combined Nursery and Reception class within its early years provision.
Early years provision was graded Good at the inspection on 28 and 29 March 2023. Children enjoyed planned activities, including the workshop, although curriculum progression into Key Stage 1 needed clearer sequencing.
No. A separate Reception application is required through the normal admissions process. Cassop directs families to Durham County Council for primary admissions information.
Yes. Contact the school to arrange a visit. Families can also request an appointment to discuss SEND requirements.
