Lindon Bennett School Nursery Review

Communication takes many forms here: a sign, a picture, a switch or speech. Lindon Bennett’s assessment nursery follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), within a school serving children with severe learning difficulties or profound and multiple learning difficulties, including some with autism. The school takes children from age 3. This is specialist provision, with learning shaped around individual needs.

That individual focus gives the nursery its character. Adult-guided learning sits alongside children’s own choices, rather than a single approach imposed on the group. For families, the important connection is between what a child can communicate, how they participate and what they learn through play.

Half-term topics organise the EYFS curriculum, while play provides opportunities to practise communication, movement and social skills. In plain parent language, the emphasis is on expressing needs, interacting with others and developing physical abilities. Number work, early literacy, creativity and discovering the world sit alongside those foundations. Teacher-led activities and child-initiated exploration are adjusted to each pupil’s needs.

Music has a concrete place in early years learning: children explore classroom instruments through free play. This gives them something to handle and investigate, as well as listen to. Across the school, classrooms combine written words with CIP symbols, and Twinkl phonics begins with distinguishing environmental sounds. Further phonics work depends on whether a child is identified as ready for it.

The wider school’s physical resources include playgrounds, sensory rooms and a hydro-pool. These are school facilities, rather than a description of a separate nursery outdoor area. Physiotherapy programmes can be woven into everyday routines, with sessions taking place in classrooms as well as therapy rooms. Where this support forms part of a child’s plan, movement and positioning connect directly with participation in learning.

Support follows the child’s education, health and care plan (EHCP). Access to occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy depends on what that plan identifies. Education staff and therapists work together, so support can address communication, physical development, sensory needs and personal care within school life.

For children who communicate beyond speech, the school’s methods include Makaton, PECS and Intensive Interaction, alongside sensory cues and communication aids. Behaviour support considers what a child is trying to express, with Team-Teach principles used in staff training. The practical emphasis is on understanding needs and helping children communicate them.

Healthcare assistants work across the school’s sites with community paediatric nurses, supporting needs such as medication, feeding and seizure management. Chartwells cooks meals in the school kitchen; dietary adaptations can be arranged through the office. The Home/School Communication Book links families with the class team and also gives therapists space to share updates. That creates a route for exchanging information about experiences at home and support during the day.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Nursery and Reception admission are separate processes, so families must apply again for Reception.

Lindon Bennett’s admissions route is through the London Borough of Hounslow SEN Department. Contact its SEN Service about the Reception placement process. This specialist route is the relevant starting point for families planning the next stage.

The school day runs from 9.15am to 3.15pm. These are school hours. General enquiries go to the office on 0208 898 0479 or office@lindonbennett.hounslow.sch.uk; admission enquiries belong with Hounslow’s SEN Service.

Uniform is encouraged: blue or white polo shirts, sweatshirts or fleeces can be paired with black trousers or joggers. School Bells supplies uniform directly, and children can try sample sizes at school. Label clothing clearly. Families should report illness before 9.15am on the first day of absence and use the home-school book or a letter to explain the absence when their child returns. For medical appointments during school hours, notify the school beforehand through the home-school book or a letter.