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Nursery at Grovelands Community 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Believe, Create, Achieve gives the school’s nursery its wider context: Grovelands aims to build children’s confidence through challenge and belief in their own abilities. The nursery belongs to Grovelands Community Primary School on Dunbar Drive in Hailsham. It is school-attached provision, so families are choosing an early start within a primary school community.
Relationships shape the school’s approach to learning readiness. Therapeutic Thinking puts emphasis on adults knowing children as individuals, recognising positive behaviour and helping them understand their emotions. The school aims for calm classrooms where children can become ready to learn.
Alongside this, the Six Principles of Nurture treat language as essential communication and behaviour as a way of expressing needs. Learning is considered in relation to a child’s development. For parents, the practical emphasis is on understanding the child behind a difficulty and helping them manage feelings.
Speech and language receive explicit attention in the early years. Grovelands uses Speech and Language Link assessments, with a specialist teaching assistant arranging support programmes. Speech and language therapists or CLASS can be involved when that support cannot meet a child’s needs. This gives communication concerns a route from assessment to more specialist advice.
For special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), parents can raise concerns with the teacher or contact the school’s special educational needs coordinator (SENCO). Support follows an assess, plan, do and review cycle: staff identify needs, organise help and reconsider its impact. Parents are consulted before specialists become involved, keeping them part of decisions about their child.
Medical care has a practical structure too. The school develops Health Care Plans with families and relevant health professionals, while its Pastoral Manager coordinates the associated support. A medical room provides space for children who are unwell or injured. First-aid-trained staff include colleagues who can administer medicines following parents’ directions.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal school admissions process and meet the deadline for their child’s intake. Applications go through East Sussex County Council, with an online route at eastsussex.gov.uk and a paper-form option through the admissions team.
If applications exceed the places available, admission criteria determine allocation. Treat the nursery decision and the Reception application as separate commitments.
Preparation for change is a distinct care issue. The school’s SEND support includes planning for transitions and agreeing with families what information should be shared. Where appropriate, staff may use transition books, individual support or small groups to help children who find change difficult. That support does not confer an admissions advantage.
Nursery enquiries can go to the school office on 01323 840062 or office@grovelands.e-sussex.sch.uk. The address is Dunbar Drive, Hailsham, BN27 3UW.
Physical access includes disabled parking, wheelchair-suitable grounds and an accessible entrance. Inside the school are wheelchair-accessible toilets for adults and children, shower and changing facilities, and a lift between levels. These features give families with mobility or personal-care needs concrete points to consider when planning access to the school.
No. Families must apply separately, and admission criteria determine allocation when there are more applications than places.
Apply through East Sussex County Council at eastsussex.gov.uk. A paper form can be requested from admissions@eastsussex.gov.uk.
Parents can raise concerns with the teacher or contact the school’s SENCO directly.
Therapeutic Thinking and the Six Principles of Nurture emphasise relationships, children’s development and understanding behaviour as communication.
Contact the school office on 01323 840062 or email office@grovelands.e-sussex.sch.uk.
