Selside Endowed CofE Primary School Nursery

The Adventurers gives Selside’s nursery its identity: a mixed age classroom within a rural Church of England primary school, with outdoor learning close by. Nursery children belong to this class alongside Reception and Year 1. For families, that makes the classroom grouping an important part of the choice, rather than nursery being a separate setting on the school site.

There are 12 afternoon nursery places. Ofsted’s inspection of 20 March 2024 described provision run by the governors for children aged three and four, included within the school inspection. The school’s grounds include a stream, an outdoor classroom and a wildlife area, giving the setting a distinctive physical context.

Outdoor exploration is part of the Adventurers’ classroom approach. The rural surroundings give children opportunities to explore beyond the classroom; the school also has a large playing field. These are concrete spaces for learning outdoors, rather than outdoor activity being confined to a playground.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the separate curriculum used for nursery and Reception children. Early number work follows White Rose Maths, with Development Matters supporting the teaching approach. Numberblocks introduces number ideas to the youngest children. Together, these named resources give parents a clearer picture of how mathematical learning begins.

Books and sound awareness also feature in early learning. Singing in the early years supports children’s awareness of sounds, while each class has daily story reading based on a selected collection of books. Listening to stories and joining in songs bring language into the day through different activities.

Curriculum sequencing. In March 2024, some subject learning sequences across the school, beginning in early years, needed further definition. This matters because later learning needs to build on what children have already encountered. The school also needed to deepen pupils’ understanding of cultures and faiths, a consideration for families weighing the breadth of children’s experiences.

The Adventurers has both a class teacher and a teaching assistant. For concerns about development, learning, health or behaviour, the class teacher is the first contact; the school’s SENDCo provides another route for discussing additional needs. Teachers adjust the organisation of activities, materials and the classroom to account for children’s different ways of learning.

The school’s morning-break guidance permits fruit, vegetables or rice cakes and excludes sweets, crisps and chocolate. Ask the office about snacks for afternoon nursery sessions. Children bring an unbreakable bottle containing water for classroom use.

Parents receive school news and dates through a monthly newsletter. Safeguarding concerns can be raised through the office, and the school has a designated lead and deputy.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal school admissions process; the admissions page directs applications to Westmorland and Furness Council.

Sharing the Adventurers classroom with Reception children gives nursery children familiarity with that classroom grouping. That everyday connection is separate from the allocation of a school place.

Afternoon provision is the nursery pattern described in the class organisation information. To enquire or arrange a visit, contact the school office on 01539 823649 or email admin@selside.cumbria.sch.uk. Prospective families can make an appointment to visit.

The school’s uniform guidance specifies royal blue knitwear and says branded clothing is optional. Outdoor learning bags contain wellies and waterproofs, practical preparation for the rural grounds.