New Penshaw Academy Nursery

Sounds, words and conversation give this nursery its clearest character. Read Write Inc. begins in Nursery, introducing children to letter formation and the sounds within words. It gives families a concrete starting point for understanding the learning here: early language and literacy, with practical ways to continue at home.

Children can join from age three. The nursery forms part of New Penshaw Academy on Langdale Road in Houghton le Spring, with morning and full-time attendance patterns.

A morning runs from 8.50am to 11.50am; the full-time day finishes at 3.15pm. That makes the shorter option a three-hour session, while the longer pattern continues into the afternoon.

Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), phonics has a specific approach: Read Write Inc. Children explore speech sounds, begin recognising how letters are formed and practise separating and combining sounds for spelling. These are the small steps behind making sense of written words.

In June 2024, Ofsted found that early-years teaching gave children a positive beginning, with a curriculum that worked well and adults who demonstrated language effectively. Vocabulary development began in Nursery. For parents, the useful detail is the adult contribution: children hear language modelled as they learn, rather than encountering letters alone.

Practical maths also extends into family life. Suggested activities for home include comparing the capacity of water containers, making shapes from playdough and counting bricks in a tower. Baking provides another opportunity to weigh ingredients and talk about time. These examples turn numbers, shape and measurement into things a child can handle and discuss.

Adult relationships matter alongside teaching. In June 2024, early-years children had caring, positive relationships with staff, who encouraged their interest in learning.

For help with learning at home, parents can telephone or message the class teacher through Showbie. That gives families a direct route for discussing how to make a mathematical idea practical. Toast is offered daily across the whole school, providing a breakfast option.

The school’s September 2022 inclusion arrangements involve parents in identifying additional needs from entry. A special educational needs coordinator (SENCO) supports families concerned about progress, and referrals to outside agencies require parental consent. The same arrangements describe a ramp at the main entrance, a useful physical access feature for families using wheelchairs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Sunderland’s local-authority admissions process; Reception places are allocated against the academy’s admission criteria. Treat choosing Nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.

Online applicants receive an email acknowledging their application. Families without internet access can use a local-authority customer service point or request a paper form by telephone on 0191 520 5553.

Part-time Nursery provides 15 hours per week, from 8.50am to 11.50am. Full-time Nursery runs from 8.50am to 3.15pm and is described as 32 hours per week. These are attendance patterns, rather than a statement of funded entitlement.

To register interest, parents can complete an application when their child is two. Registration takes place at the academy reception, with a copy of the child’s birth certificate.

Collection is from the door allocated to the child’s class. Collectors must be named on the contact list and be over 16, so families should organise their authorised collection arrangements in advance. General enquiries can go to 0191 385 4298 or new.penshaw@inspiremultiacademytrust.co.uk.