Horton Lodge Community Special School Nursery

Communication, movement and growing independence give Horton Lodge’s early years provision its distinctive focus. This is nursery provision within Horton Lodge Community Special School in Rudyard, Leek, where conductive education shapes the specialist curriculum. Physical development is part of learning, with targeted movement built into daily activities.

In January 2024, inspectors found that early years learning helped children develop their ability to communicate, become more independent and build movement skills. For parents, these linked priorities make everyday participation an important part of education: learning to communicate and act more independently matters alongside learning new knowledge.

Conductive education connects the school’s specialist teaching with purposeful physical activity. Daily movement tasks give children opportunities to practise physical skills as part of their learning. The emphasis is practical, with communication and independence running alongside movement rather than being treated as separate ambitions.

Early reading begins with listening. At the pre-reading stage, pupils work on recognising sounds from their surroundings and from instruments. In January 2024, some children in the early years were starting to recognise letters by name and identify the sounds they represent. That distinction matters: children were working at different starting points, rather than all following the same reading stage.

Books also have a physical place in the school day. Classrooms contained books for children to enjoy, with books also going home. This connects classroom reading with opportunities to share stories beyond school.

There were teaching concerns, too. In January 2024, some curriculum areas needed clearer decisions about what children should learn and the order of that learning. Delivery of the phonics programme also varied, slowing progress for some pupils. These are relevant considerations for families weighing the early reading provision and how learning builds over time.

Individual needs shape the wider school’s support arrangements. In January 2024, pupils had education, health and care plans addressing physical disabilities and associated learning difficulties. Support also covered sensory needs, communication, and social and emotional development. Individual specialist plans identified communication approaches, giving adults a shared basis for responding to each child.

Behaviour was understood as communication. Adults considered what a pupil’s behaviour might express and provided support when needed. For a child whose needs are difficult to convey, that approach makes understanding the message part of the response.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families should confirm arrangements for their child’s next placement with the school. Choosing nursery provision and obtaining a Reception place are separate decisions; nursery attendance should not be treated as securing the next place.

The nursery is part of Horton Lodge Community Special School at Rudyard, Leek, ST13 8RB. The school telephone number is 01538306214.

Specialist provision. The school’s curriculum centres on conductive education, with movement linked to communication and independence. Families considering the nursery should weigh those priorities against their child’s learning and physical support needs.