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Nursery at Pilgrims' Way Primary School
Last reviewed: October 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Fairy tales become building experiments and storytelling prompts in Pilgrims' Way's Spring 2020 nursery plan. That gives this school nursery a concrete character: children explore ideas through making, movement and conversation. The nursery class belongs to the primary school on the Tustin Estate, with entry in September after a child's third birthday.
The Spring 2020 Fantasy topic connects early learning across language, physical development, relationships, literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and creative work. For parents, that means a story can lead to several kinds of learning. Children were to test houses made with sticks or straw, discuss their strength and build models from discarded materials. Familiar characters supplied a reason to investigate.
Goldilocks inspired drawing and storytelling, while counting bears became objects to compare by size. Plant growing introduced another comparison: how tall different plants became. The plan also included tales tool kit, a storytelling resource for developing vocabulary. Children had opportunities to invent adventures themselves, rather than only repeat a familiar plot.
Activity choices sat alongside group routines. The plan included circle games, stories shared in groups of different sizes and a Wake and shake warm-up. Threading and paper folding exercised smaller hand movements; balancing equipment, sliding apparatus and ball games involved larger movements. These examples show how practical play connected with language and coordination.
In December 2024, Ofsted found that early-years staff returned to vocabulary from rhymes and books to help children retain and use it. Creative activities also supported children's expression and movement skills. Those findings give more recent evidence of language practice and learning through making.
Independence was an explicit aim of the Spring 2020 plan. Children were encouraged to choose activities and manage everyday tasks involving their coats, aprons and snacks. Adults also supported conversations between children and helped them express preferences and feelings. Care routines therefore doubled as opportunities to practise doing things for themselves.
The December 2024 inspection described adults helping nursery children handle disagreements and learn turn-taking, with additional care directed towards children who needed it. This is practical social teaching: sharing and listening are skills adults demonstrate.
A detailed individual meeting with parents forms part of joining the nursery. The SEND information report also describes twice-yearly parent meetings and a written summer report, giving families both conversation and a record of progress.
For speech and language support, the school identifies Sunshine House for children under five who both live in Southwark and have a Southwark GP. Kaleidoscope serves children under five living in Lewisham with a Lewisham GP. Autism support can involve the Early Years Autism Support Team. These routes distinguish support according to the child's circumstances.
Physical access. The school building has one storey and few steps, but entrance ledges and narrow doorways are identified in its SEND information report. Families with mobility needs should factor those features into their choice.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must submit a separate application through the normal admissions process by the deadline for their child's entry year. The admission arrangements direct Reception applications to Southwark Council's online service; families living outside Southwark apply through their home borough.
Attendance at the nursery is not a priority criterion in the listed Reception arrangements. Allocation instead considers care status, siblings, exceptional needs and distance, after the stated provision for children whose special educational needs statement names the school. The school also offers families help with Reception applications.
Nursery applications go directly to the school office. The application requires the child's original birth certificate and two official documents confirming the address. Where applicable, the child's existing school or nursery must sign the form.
For enquiries, contact the office on 020 7639 1995 or email admin@pilgrimsway.southwark.sch.uk. Informal visits can be arranged through the office, giving prospective families a direct introduction to the school.
The admission arrangements specify September entry following a child's third birthday.
No. A separate Reception application is required, and nursery attendance is not among the listed Reception priority criteria.
The Spring 2020 plan included storytelling with tales tool kit, comparing counting bears, growing plants and testing houses made from straw or sticks.
The SEND information report describes an individual meeting with parents when a child joins the nursery, alongside parent meetings twice a year and a summer written report.
Contact the school office on 020 7639 1995 or at admin@pilgrimsway.southwark.sch.uk to arrange an informal visit.
