Burnside Academy Inspires Nursery

A morning ending at noon or a full day ending at 3pm: Burnside Academy Inspires gives nursery families two distinct daily patterns. This is the academy’s own provision in Houghton le Spring, taking children from age three. The choice changes how much of the school day a child shares, with lunch and afternoon learning included in the full-day timetable.

An 8:55am registration starts both patterns, followed by morning learning from 9am. Morning-only children finish at noon. For those staying, the lunch break runs from noon until 1:10pm, then afternoon learning continues until 3pm. That gives the longer day a clear rhythm, with a substantial break between its two learning periods.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) planning includes curricular goals and milestones, alongside a progression of nursery skills. Mathematics, reading and writing each have an early-years planning strand. In October 2024, early-years children were learning everyday social skills: sharing, helping others and following daily routines.

In October 2024, Ofsted found that early-years children sustained their attention, helped one another and developed their ability to share. They picked up daily routines readily and explored feelings through stories, combining social and emotional learning with their subject learning. They approached learning and play with confidence, curiosity and creativity. Those findings concern the early years within the school, rather than a separate nursery rating.

Stories also have an emotional purpose. In October 2024, early-years children explored feelings through the stories they encountered, giving them a way to discuss emotions as part of learning.

For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the class teacher is the first contact for concerns. Teachers plan additional help and review support plans with parents at least once a term. The SEND coordinator brings support together and liaises with specialists, including Educational Psychology and Speech and Language Therapy. This gives families a route from an initial conversation to more specific help when needed.

The school has changing facilities and an accessible toilet. A home and school contact book can also be used where it is agreed to be useful for the child and family, allowing communication to fit individual needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Sunderland City Council, which handles Reception admissions for the academy. Treat that application as a separate task from arranging nursery attendance.

For children with SEND moving between classes, information and support plans pass to the next teacher. A planning meeting usually takes place, and a transition passport can be created if it would help the child understand the change. These arrangements support continuity of care; they do not secure admission.

The two nursery patterns are Morning Only and Full Day. The noon finish and 3pm finish are useful anchors when planning collection and the rest of the family’s day.

To register interest, parents can complete a nursery application when their child is two. Registration takes place at the academy reception, with a copy of the child’s birth certificate. General enquiries can go to the office on 0191 512 0466 or by email to burnside.academy@inspiremultiacademytrust.co.uk. The office can also arrange a school visit, giving families an opportunity to see the setting before making their choice.