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Nursery at Blanche Nevile School
Last reviewed: September 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A bilingual start in British Sign Language and English defines Blanche Nevile's early years provision. This is specialist provision for deaf children, based in the school's Primary Department on the same site as Highgate Primary School in Highgate. Children belong to a Blanche Nevile class and a Highgate Primary class, creating regular opportunities to learn and play with deaf and hearing peers.
The published school record starts at age three. The school does not publish a separate nursery roll or number of nursery places, so families should ask the Primary Department about the current group and availability. Entry requests go through the child's local authority, followed by an assessment of whether the school can meet the child's needs.
Birth to 5 Matters gives the curriculum its sequence, while total immersion in spoken language and BSL shapes how children access it. Communication is planned around each child's preferred mode. A BSL tutor has timetabled early years sessions, and the speech and language therapy team runs Bucket sessions to build attention and readiness to learn.
The detail is purposeful. Visual Phonics supports early reading, story sacks bring storytelling to life, and props make nursery rhymes accessible. Children encounter mathematics through play, repeated daily routines, concrete materials and weekly cooking. Snack time doubles as a chance to practise communication and healthy choices.
Outdoor learning is part of the timetable rather than an occasional extra. Children use the outdoor area alongside mainstream peers, complete sensory circuits and PE sessions, and visit Forest School each week. Ofsted's February 2023 report confirms that pupils begin structured phonics by the start of early years and that teaching is adapted to their needs.
Settling is individually planned. Once a place has been allocated, Foundation Stage staff make a home visit and arrange time in school for the child and family; together they agree a programme based on the child's needs. The school's early years page also describes stable staffing, well-planned routines and high staffing levels that help children engage and access language.
Communication with home is frequent and varied. Families receive updates through a home-school book and Seesaw, alongside class assemblies, coffee mornings, autumn and spring parents' meetings and two annual review meetings. The early years and speech and language teams can also be involved before a child starts.
Food is woven into learning. Staff use snack routines to model healthy eating and communication, children are encouraged to try unfamiliar foods, and cooking sessions connect healthy choices with practical learning. School meals are described as freshly prepared where possible, with milk and water provided.
Attendance at this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. A family must make the appropriate application through their local authority, and the school assesses whether it can meet the child's needs. Families should confirm the current Reception application route and timetable with their own local authority.
Transition practice is highly personalised, but it is separate from admissions. Home visits, information sharing and involvement from the early years and speech and language teams help children prepare for a new stage. They do not secure a school place.
The Primary Department is at Storey Road, Highgate, London N6 4ED, rather than the secondary address shown in the main school record. The school says Highgate Underground station is about a ten-minute walk away, with buses 143, 234 and 263 serving the area. There is a step-free entrance, lift and accessible toilet.
Published material does not set out nursery session times, a booking pattern or current funded-hours arrangements. Families should contact the Primary Department for the current nursery timetable, eligibility, uniform expectations, meals and collection arrangements. Applications for a place must begin through the child's local authority. Families can also ask the Primary Department how its term dates and day structure apply to the youngest children before accepting a place.
The school's published age range begins at three, but families should confirm the child's appropriate entry point and current availability with the Primary Department and their local authority.
Children experience spoken language and BSL, with communication planned around individual needs. Timetabled BSL teaching, speech and language input, Visual Phonics and visual storytelling resources all support access.
The programme includes play-based mathematics, story sacks, nursery rhymes with props, weekly cooking, sensory circuits, PE and weekly Forest School, alongside outdoor play with hearing peers.
After a place is allocated, staff arrange a home visit and time in school with the family. An individual settling programme is then agreed around the child's needs.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee Reception admission. Families must use their local authority application route. Nursery attendance does not confer automatic priority.
