Stockwell Academy Nursery Review

Conversation gives Stockwell's early years its character. Adults build language through exchanges during the day, while children can choose learning areas that respond to their interests. The nursery is Foundation Stage 1 (FS1), part of Stockwell Academy on Dodswell Grove in Hull's Greatfield Estate, within Hull Collaborative Academy Trust.

Three-hour sessions combine children's own exploration with activities directed by adults. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) covers learning to communicate, manage feelings and relationships, move with control, and develop early reading, writing and number skills. Creative work and discovering how the world works sit alongside these foundations. That gives the nursery day a broader purpose than practising letters and counting.

Learning areas extend indoors and outdoors. Children have freedom to use them, with resources chosen both for curriculum learning and children's interests. Adults observe what children can do and use those observations to decide what to teach next, sometimes responding during play and sometimes through a planned activity. Each term begins with experiences intended to spark curiosity about the topic ahead.

The Stockwell Way brings concrete detail to early learning. In early years maths, Number Blocks supports work on individual numbers, with earlier learning revisited as another number is introduced. Maths activities also take place outdoors. For writing, picture books, songs, rhymes and story maps give children ways to rehearse language before putting it on paper. Reading includes a daily adult read-aloud and phonics session.

At the inspection on 26 and 27 September 2023, Ofsted found that early years adults supported language development skilfully and children sustained their attention during play, including recent starters. Those findings give substance to the emphasis on conversation and exploration.

Parents have opportunities to join early learning through listen-and-learn sessions, stay-and-play activities and writing mornings. Seesaw videos accompany writing work. These give families practical ways to connect with what children are learning, rather than leaving involvement to a formal meeting.

For special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school's SEN coordinator can be contacted through the office. The trust's support process follows four steps: assessing needs, planning help, putting it into practice and reviewing its effect. Parents contribute to decisions, and formal SEND reviews take place at least termly. Support should begin while evidence is being gathered, rather than waiting for a diagnosis. This gives families a route to discussing difficulties early.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the Hull City Council Primary Schools Admissions Team and meet the normal application deadline.

For entry in 2027/28, attending a HCAT primary nursery for at least the three terms before Reception gives fourth-priority status when applications exceed places, after children with EHCPs have been allocated. Looked-after and previously looked-after children, then two sibling categories, rank ahead of that nursery criterion. The condition concerns attendance at a HCAT primary nursery, rather than Stockwell alone. Priority helps determine allocation; it does not replace the application or promise an offer.

FS1 morning sessions run from 08:30 to 11:30; afternoons run from 12:15 to 15:15. Each lasts three hours, making the session boundary an important part of a family's childcare planning.

General enquiries go through the school office on 01482 782122 or admin.stockwell@hcat.org.uk. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 16:00. Questions about a child's learning go first to their class teacher.