Penfold Nursery at Washingborough Academy

Two sessions shape Penfold Nursery's day: a morning option and an afternoon option, within Washingborough Academy on School Lane in Washingborough. This is the academy's nursery provision, with a timetable distinct from the older children's school day. For parents planning collection around work or other children, those separate session boundaries are the first practical consideration.

Language and early number learning give the early years curriculum its shape. In April 2023, Ofsted found that children in the early years were happy, received supportive care and learned through purposeful activities with a strong emphasis on language. That puts children's communication alongside their learning, rather than treating it as a separate concern.

The academy uses Read, Write, Inc (RWI) Phonics Scheme daily across EYFS and Key Stage 1. Mastering Number also operates across those stages, with the aim of building children's understanding of number. For parents, these named approaches give a concrete sense of the early learning priorities: beginning reading skills and foundations in number.

Food education adds a practical dimension to the academy's curriculum. Sensory activities and Farmertime connections explore food production and sustainability. The school grounds include a kitchen garden, a polytunnel and the Lincolnshire Heritage Orchard, while a children's teaching kitchen supports cooking activities suited to children's ages. These are school facilities; their connection with growing, preparing and tasting food gives the wider curriculum a tangible setting.

Additional needs are supported through the academy's SENDCo, staff team and outside professionals. Parents contribute to assessments, and support strategies are recorded in class provision maps, with their impact checked each term. Families with concerns about learning, emotional well-being or social interaction can start by speaking to their child's class teacher. That gives parents a direct route into discussing support.

Before admission, families provide emergency contacts, health information and dietary requirements, including allergies. Written permission for emergency medical advice or treatment is requested for nursery children. Keeping those details up to date is a parental responsibility.

School lunches are prepared from scratch by the kitchen team, using fresh ingredients. A daily salad bar and menus adjusted following children's feedback are part of the academy's food arrangements, connecting its food education with the meals prepared on site.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a place in Washingborough Academy's Reception. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route by the applicable deadline. Treat choosing Penfold and applying for Reception as two separate decisions; a nursery place should never be taken as confirmation of the next school place.

Morning sessions run from 08:40 to 11:40; afternoon sessions run from 12:10 to 15:10. Match the relevant start and finish times to your family's daily arrangements.

For enquiries, contact the academy's admin team at enquiries@washac.org or call 01522 801355. Email enquiries receive a response within two working days. School tours with the senior leadership team take place after the school day on Thursdays and can be arranged through the office, giving families an opportunity to discuss their questions while seeing the buildings and grounds.