Tatham Fells CE Primary School Nursery Review

Six nursery places, a mixed-age infant class and an onsite forest school give Tatham Fells its distinctive starting point. This is school life on a small scale: nursery children share learning with older children rather than belonging to a separate nursery setting.

At Tatham Fells Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School in Lowgill, nursery entry begins in the term following a child's third birthday. The nursery sits within the Early Years Foundation Stage, with opportunities to learn alongside Reception and Key Stage 1 children. That shared setting gives children familiarity with the people around them before their next stage.

Children have both activities they choose themselves and learning directed by adults. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) combines learning with children's health and safety. Its starting points include talking and listening, movement, relationships and managing feelings. Number, early literacy, creative expression and discovering the world build on those foundations. The day therefore reaches beyond preparation for reading and writing.

Read Write Inc introduces nursery children to initial sounds in five-minute bursts. These short sessions give early literacy a defined place in the day. For mathematics, children begin using numicon in the early years to develop a practical understanding of number; White Rose Mathematics is the school's wider scheme.

Indoor and outdoor provision are both open to nursery children. Across the school site, a garden and polytunnel sit alongside the forest school, while a field, playground, running track and activity trail add different spaces for movement. These facilities form part of the school grounds. A teacher trained in forest schools supports outdoor learning in the infant setting, giving the outdoor space a teaching role as well as a recreational one.

The staffing structure includes a teacher covering Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1, teaching assistants and a special educational needs consultant. Families receive a curriculum letter each term explaining the learning ahead and ways to support it at home. That creates a practical link between classroom learning and family involvement.

For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), teachers meet parents at least three times a year to discuss support and progress. The school uses an assess, plan, do and review cycle, with class teachers retaining responsibility for daily teaching. Support can involve the Pre-School SEND Team or Speech and Language Therapy. The school site is on one level, with wheelchair access through a side entrance and an accessible toilet; the front entrance has steps.

In February 2024, early-years children were developing secure phonics knowledge, and their curriculum provided foundations for later learning. A wider-school improvement requirement concerned uneven expectations for writing and insufficient practice in some subjects; this was not identified specifically as a nursery finding.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Lancashire County Council's school admissions service. Residents of North Yorkshire must apply through North Yorkshire Council instead. Familiar staff and classmates do not replace that application.

Transition support is a separate matter. During the summer term before nursery children move into Reception, the SENCO liaises with nursery staff about children on the Early Years SEND register. This passes information about additional needs into the next stage of provision.

A full-day pattern on Monday and Tuesday is offered. Families can use part or all of their nursery hours. Universal provision covers 15 hours for three- and four-year-olds, with 30 hours for eligible children from the term following their third birthday. The 15-hour funded offer is term-time provision.

Nursery uniform combines a blue logo sweatshirt and white polo shirt with grey or black leggings or tracksuit bottoms. Black school shoes, wellies and a waterproof or outdoor coat complete the clothing requirements. Name clothing so it can be returned to the right child.

Nursery applications and enquiries go directly to the school at bursar@tathamfells.lancs.sch.uk. Family tours can also be arranged by contacting the school.