Golborne & Maxilla Nursery School is an Outstanding state nursery school serving children aged 2 to 5 in the heart of North Kensington, London. Born from a powerful tradition of community action in the 1970s and built beneath the Westway motorway, the school has its roots firmly in the social history of the area, created to meet the needs of families in one of London's most diverse and culturally rich neighbourhoods. Under the leadership of Executive Headteacher Veronica Hilliard MBE, who was awarded her honour for services to early years education in 2023, the school achieved an Outstanding rating at its most recent Ofsted inspection in May 2023. Operating as a federated provision across two sites on Bevington Road, the school offers up to 70 full-time equivalent places for 3- to 5-year-olds, plus an additional 20 places for 2- to 3-year-olds, alongside a specialist Early Years resource base for 15 children with autism and social communication needs.
The history of Golborne & Maxilla is inseparable from the story of North Kensington itself. The original Maxilla Nursery Centre was founded in the 1970s by the local community through the North Kensington Amenity Trust, established to develop land under the newly built Westway motorway for community benefit. In an area marked by poverty, poor housing, and social deprivation in the 1960s and 70s, local residents and voluntary organisations created projects to protect and strengthen families, including the famous Notting Hill Carnival. The nursery drew on three traditions: the quality of learning and development from nursery education, the year-round, full-day programme from day care, and the importance of parent participation from the playgroup movement.
In 2013, after extensive consultation, Maxilla federated with Golborne Children's Centre, two settings that already shared a similar ethos and worked closely together. A single governing body now oversees the provision. Parents speak warmly of the school as "a big family, with a wonderful community," and the federated model has ensured that stand-alone nursery provision continues to thrive in North Kensington. The open-plan design of both sites suits the developmental needs of young children, with well-developed outdoor spaces accessible daily and a soft play and sensory area for those with additional needs.
Ofsted inspectors in May 2023 noted that children love coming to the nursery, and that staff are skilled at creating a purposeful environment with carefully selected activities and resources that support children's development exceptionally well. Leaders have created a highly ambitious curriculum, ensuring that all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, receive the support they need to thrive and be confident across all areas of learning. The atmosphere is one of enthusiasm, with children taking part in activities with energy and learning alongside one another in a supportive, inclusive setting.
As a nursery school serving children aged 2 to 5, Golborne & Maxilla does not participate in national SATs or GCSE examinations. The school's educational philosophy focuses on the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, preparing children for their transition into primary school reception classes. Staff work together to ensure that the curriculum is both ambitious and responsive, with a strong emphasis on early literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional development.
The school provides access to specialist therapists who offer additional support, and leaders ensure that children with SEND are fully included in all aspects of nursery life. The specialist resource base, opened in 2018, caters for children with autism or on the pathway for an autism diagnosis, providing tailored support within a mainstream setting. The school's SEND and Inclusion Policy reflects a commitment to early identification and intervention, and the Executive Headteacher also serves as the SENDco, ensuring strategic oversight of provision.
Parents report that their children make strong progress during their time at the school, developing confidence, communication skills, and independence. The school uses the Wellcomm Language Toolkit to support speech and language development, and the curriculum is enriched by programmes such as Mind Up and Forest School, which promote wellbeing, resilience, and engagement with the natural environment.
Daily life at Golborne & Maxilla is characterised by a balance between structured learning and child-initiated play. The open-plan nursery spaces are designed to be flexible and engaging, with areas for role-play, creative arts, construction, and quiet reading. Children have access to an exciting outdoor space every day, which includes opportunities for physical play, exploration, and gardening.
The school offers dress-up days and other enrichment activities to spark imagination and bring learning to life. Staff are skilled at getting children involved in a wide range of experiences, from messy play to early science investigations. The Forest School programme allows children to explore the natural world, build resilience, and develop problem-solving skills in an outdoor environment.
Stay and Play sessions are available for families, providing an opportunity for parents and carers to engage with their child's learning and to build relationships with staff and other families. The school places a strong emphasis on parent participation, a legacy of its community origins, and parents are actively encouraged to be involved in their child's nursery experience.
Golborne & Maxilla has a strong reputation for inclusive practice and specialist support for children with additional needs. The school's Early Years resource base, which opened in 2018, provides dedicated provision for up to 15 children, the majority of whom have autism or are on the pathway for an autism diagnosis. This specialist unit is fully integrated into the life of the nursery, allowing children to access mainstream provision with tailored support.
The school has access to a team of specialist therapists, including speech and language therapists and occupational therapists, who work alongside nursery staff to deliver targeted interventions. Soft play and sensory facilities are available to support children with sensory processing needs, and staff are trained to use strategies such as visual timetables, communication aids, and structured routines.
The school uses the Wellcomm Language Toolkit to identify and address speech and language concerns early, and the SEND and Inclusion Policy outlines a graduated approach to support, working closely with parents and external professionals. Executive Headteacher Veronica Hilliard, who also serves as SENDco, provides strategic leadership and ensures that inclusive practice is embedded throughout the nursery.
Admissions to Golborne & Maxilla Nursery School are managed directly by the school, not through the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's central admissions process. The school offers a maximum of 70 places for children aged 3 to 5, comprising a combination of 15-hour universal entitlement places and 30-hour extended entitlement places, available during term time between 9.15am and 3.15pm. An additional 20 places are available for 2- to 3-year-olds.
Nursery admissions typically take place in September or January following a child's third birthday. If there are more applications than places available, priority is given according to the following criteria: any existing regular attendance at Golborne or Maxilla, the educational, medical, or social needs of the child or family, the nearness of the child's home to the Golborne or former Maxilla site, and the preservation of a balance between the number of boys and girls and between three- and four-year-olds on the roll.
Funded 2-year-old places are allocated three times a year—in September, January, and April, or when a place becomes available. Eligibility for funded 2-year-old places is confirmed by the local authority in the form of a voucher. Parents who wish their child to continue from the 2-year-old provision into the nursery school will be prioritised.
The school also offers additional fee-paying places for parents who are working or studying. These extended-day and extended-year places are available from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, for 46 weeks of the year, at a cost of £64 per day. Meals are provided at an additional cost of £2.25 per day. Top-up provision is available for children with a part-time funded place who require additional hours.
Given the school's Outstanding Ofsted rating and strong reputation in the local community, demand for places is steady. The school's location in North Kensington means it serves a diverse and culturally rich community, and its specialist resource base attracts families from across the borough seeking high-quality inclusive provision for children with SEND. Parents are encouraged to contact the school directly on 020 8968 5622 or visit the school's website to arrange a visit and discuss their child's needs.
Golborne & Maxilla Nursery School is a beacon of inclusive, community-centred early years education in North Kensington. Its Outstanding Ofsted rating, achieved in May 2023, reflects the quality of leadership, teaching, and provision across the federated settings. Under the stewardship of Veronica Hilliard MBE, a recognised leader in early years education, the school offers a highly ambitious curriculum, exceptional SEND support, and a warm, family-like atmosphere that parents consistently praise.
The school's history as a community-led initiative born from the social movements of the 1970s gives it a distinctive character and a deep connection to the local area. Its specialist resource base for children with autism and social communication needs is a particular strength, providing expert support within an inclusive mainstream environment. The combination of high-quality early years education, flexible hours, and affordable fee-paying options makes the school an attractive choice for working families.
For parents seeking an Outstanding nursery that values every child, celebrates diversity, and offers both universal and specialist provision, Golborne & Maxilla is an excellent option. The school's commitment to parent participation, its strong community ethos, and its track record of preparing children for a successful start in primary school make it a standout choice in one of London's most vibrant neighbourhoods.
Yes. Golborne & Maxilla Nursery School is rated Outstanding by Ofsted following its most recent inspection in May 2023. Inspectors praised the highly ambitious curriculum, the exceptional support for children with SEND, and the skilled staff who create a purposeful, engaging environment. Parents describe the school as "a big family, with a wonderful community," and children are reported to love coming to the nursery. The Executive Headteacher, Veronica Hilliard MBE, is a recognised leader in early years education, and the school's specialist resource base for children with autism is a significant strength.
Applications to Golborne & Maxilla Nursery School are made directly to the school, not through the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's central admissions system. Admissions typically take place in September or January following a child's third birthday. For funded 2-year-old places, eligibility must be confirmed by the local authority through a voucher, and allocations are made three times a year (September, January, and April). Parents are advised to contact the school directly on 020 8968 5622 or visit the school's website at www.golborne.rbkc.sch.uk to request an application form and arrange a visit. Early contact is recommended, particularly for families seeking places in the specialist resource base.
Golborne & Maxilla Nursery School serves children aged 2 to 5. The school offers funded places for eligible 2-year-olds, as well as universal 15-hour and extended 30-hour funded places for 3- and 4-year-olds. Children typically transition to primary school reception classes at age 5.
Yes. The school offers extended-day and extended-year places for parents who are working or studying. These fee-paying places are available from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday, for 46 weeks of the year. The cost is £64 per day, with meals available for an additional £2.25 per day. Top-up provision is also available for children with part-time funded places who require additional hours. The standard funded places operate during term time between 9.15am and 3.15pm.
Golborne & Maxilla has a strong reputation for inclusive practice and specialist SEND provision. The school operates a dedicated Early Years resource base for up to 15 children with autism and social communication needs, opened in 2018. Children in the resource base are fully integrated into the life of the nursery and receive tailored support from specialist staff and therapists. The school has access to speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and educational psychologists, and provides soft play and sensory facilities. The Executive Headteacher also serves as the SENDco, ensuring strategic oversight of provision. The school uses the Wellcomm Language Toolkit to support speech and language development and works closely with parents and external professionals.
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