Harvington CofE First School Nursery Review

Drawing starts with lines and patterns at Harvington’s nursery. That small, concrete detail captures a provision where teaching begins building subject knowledge early, within a Church of England school whose values include friendship, respect and perseverance. Nursery belongs to the school’s youngest provision, rather than being a separate setting.

At the inspection on 3 and 4 July 2023, Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Outstanding. That judgement covers early years within the school. For parents choosing nursery, the useful detail is the deliberate teaching already taking place with its youngest children, rather than the school’s wider achievements.

Art gives the clearest picture of learning here. In July 2023, children in early years were taught to draw with different lines and patterns. Adults introduced specific techniques: children were learning how to make marks with purpose, giving them something concrete to practise rather than simply completing an activity.

Subject knowledge begins in Nursery, with staff working towards defined knowledge and vocabulary. For a parent, this means the learning has an intended destination. The drawing example shows what that looks like at a young age: a manageable skill, explicitly taught, that children can use in their own work.

The wider school has classrooms, outdoor learning areas and a Forest School space. These are features of the school site. Keep that distinction in mind when considering the nursery day and the spaces your child would use.

Partnership with parents is part of the staff team’s work. The school says its aim is for children to feel happy, inspired and challenged, making family relationships part of its approach to children’s experience.

Respect, trust and forgiveness also shape the school’s stated expectations. It describes forgiveness as accepting mistakes, and perseverance as learning from them and continuing to try. Those aims give parents a useful sense of the language surrounding children’s relationships and learning. The school also expects staff and volunteers to share its safeguarding commitment.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a place in the school’s Reception. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the normal deadline.

Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as two separate decisions. Choosing this provision for its early learning should not be treated as securing the next school place; keep the application itself on your family’s planning list.

The school is on Village Street in Harvington, Evesham, WR11 8NQ. Families can telephone 01386870412 to get in touch. School visits can be arranged, providing a direct way to explore the setting before making a nursery decision.

For a visit, focus on the learning described here: how adults introduce drawing techniques, how children practise them, and how the team works with parents. These questions connect the school’s approach with the experience you want for your child.