James Wolfe Primary School and Centre for the Deaf Nursery

Stories, sounds and signing give this nursery its character. Daily spoken-language work sits alongside British Sign Language, which every child at James Wolfe learns. For families, that makes communication a useful starting point when considering the provision.

Apple Tree is the nursery class at James Wolfe Primary School and Centre for the Deaf. It is based at the Randall Place campus in Greenwich. Children can start in the term following their third birthday, subject to space. Morning places and full-time places for children eligible for 30 hours of funded childcare provide two different patterns of attendance.

Little Wandle Foundations for Phonics gives early language learning a clear focus. Children distinguish sounds around them, explore rhyming words and listen for repeated initial sounds. They then move towards joining spoken sounds into words and separating words into sounds. The emphasis is on listening and talking, with daily oral blending supported by stories and rhymes.

British Sign Language adds another way to communicate. Each child has a signing lesson every week across the school, making signing a shared activity rather than something reserved for deaf children. That creates opportunities for hearing and deaf children to communicate with one another.

In February 2024, nursery children responded eagerly to familiar stories, supplying movements and noises for a clock and a tap. This is a concrete picture of children participating in storytelling, rather than simply listening. Early-years children also showed persistence and positive attitudes towards learning. Their behaviour allowed teaching to proceed uninterrupted.

An assistant headteacher has responsibility for EYFS, alongside the nursery teaching role. In February 2024, early-years teachers benefited from training that helped them explain ideas clearly and deal promptly with misunderstandings.

For additional needs, parents can begin with the class teacher or contact the office to speak with the SENCo or inclusion lead. The school uses adapted teaching and extra sessions as part of its support. These give families a route into discussing how learning should be adjusted for their child.

Precision of support. In February 2024, some pupils across the school received insufficiently targeted SEND support during lessons, limiting their access to learning. Families whose child needs additional help should discuss how that help will match their child's needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must make a separate application through the Royal Borough of Greenwich and meet the deadline for their child's entry year. Treat that application as a distinct step, even when your child already attends Apple Tree.

Transition activities are separate from allocation. Nursery children visit their future classes before moving up, and parents attend a meeting about routines, expectations and the curriculum. These activities help families prepare for the change; they do not secure admission.

The morning option is part time. Full-time attendance is conditional on eligibility for 30 hours of funded childcare. Applications for nursery places use a form that can be downloaded or collected from the office.

For enquiries, call 020 8858 2472 or email admin@jameswolfe.greenwich.sch.uk. Office hours run from 8.30am to 4.00pm. The nursery's Randall Place address is Greenwich, London SE10 9LA, so families should use that campus when planning their journey.