Roman Road Primary School Nursery Review

Dinosaurs and the Dinosaur Stomp give Roman Road’s nursery learning a concrete, playful character. Children learn to distinguish dinosaurs, talk about their diets and join in a dance connected to the topic. There is movement alongside conversation.

This is the nursery class within Roman Road Primary School in Gateshead. Children can join at termly entry points after turning three, subject to space. Ofsted graded early years provision Good at the inspection on 13 and 14 March 2023; that judgement covers the school’s early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Talking and exploring are central to the nursery experience. In March 2023, adults supported nursery children effectively as they investigated and communicated. Across early years, conversations between adults and children helped children speak confidently. For a parent, this gives substance to the learning approach: adult interaction accompanies children’s discoveries.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the curriculum framework used here, with learning adjusted to children’s ability and pace. The dinosaur topic shows how that can look in practice. Children name dinosaurs, compare their characteristics and distinguish plant eaters from meat eaters. The Dinosaur Stomp adds a physical activity to the same theme, giving children another way to engage with it.

In March 2023, early years mathematics teaching was helping children become more fluent and accurate. The wider school site includes extensive grounds and a dedicated Forest School. These are features of the school campus, separate from the nursery topic activities described above.

Starting nursery is staged. Summer-term meetings bring parents and carers into the induction process for September starters. An initial nursery visit in the autumn is followed by brief sessions, which lengthen as children become settled. Families therefore have an introduction before the session length builds up.

For children with additional needs, Roman Road uses an Assess, Plan, Do and Review cycle. Families help agree the support, and reviews take place at least three times annually, involving relevant professionals where appropriate. This makes support a continuing discussion rather than a single decision. The school’s specialist contacts include Speech and Language Therapy and the Autism and Communication Team (HINT).

Medical needs have a separate planning process. School staff and the school nurse draw up a Care Plan with parents or carers, then discuss it with the adults involved. Giving medicines requires parental agreement and a signed Medical Administration Form. For meal information, the school directs families to Gateshead School Meals.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Roman Road allocates places under Gateshead Local Authority’s admissions policy, so choosing the nursery should remain a decision about the nursery experience itself.

Summer-term induction meetings also involve families whose children are due to begin Reception in September. Preparation for starting school and allocation of a place are separate matters.

A Nursery Application Form is linked from the admissions page. The school office handles family enquiries: telephone 0191 438 0510 or email romanroadprimaryschool@gateshead.gov.uk. Appointments to see the school can also be arranged, giving families a direct introduction to the setting.

The uniform page provides a policy download and an ordering link. For families managing additional needs, the office can arrange a conversation with the SENDCo. This provides a clear contact route for discussing support before a child starts.