Sir William Burrough Primary School Nursery

Stories, songs and a private play area give Sir William Burrough’s nursery its character: an early start within a primary school on Salmon Lane in Limehouse. Language has a clear place in the learning. At the Ofsted inspection on 2 and 3 July 2025, the school’s early years provision was graded Outstanding. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Communication is a clear priority. In July 2025, children in early years were developing their vocabulary through rhymes, singing and storytelling, with adults helping them pay attention and use words precisely. One classroom example involved children explaining the position of objects. This gives language a practical purpose: children use it to describe their surroundings, as well as enjoy a story.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework for early learning, including the nursery’s mathematics. Singing, dance and music also feature in a weekly early years lesson, with songs and movement routines for children to learn. These bring listening and physical activity into the learning alongside number work.

Nursery has its own private outdoor play area. That gives the youngest children a space of their own within the larger school. The Victorian school building has wide windows and high ceilings. Children’s artwork is displayed in its classrooms and corridors.

Early writing also forms part of early years learning. In July 2025, children were composing short sentences using familiar sounds. Writing checks. Across the school, spelling mistakes and letter formation were sometimes missed during checks. This was a school improvement priority, rather than a separate nursery judgement, and gives families a useful point to consider alongside the early years strengths.

The school aims to include every child in school life and describes equality of opportunity as central to that aim. For families whose child has special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), there is a direct contact at sendco@swbschool.net. This provides a specific route for raising support needs with the school.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place or confer admission priority here. Families must make a separate Reception application to the London Borough of Tower Hamlets using the Common Application Form, by the normal application deadline.

The admission criteria include children who are looked after or were previously looked after, those with an EHCP, applicants with a sibling at the school, employees’ children and proximity to the school. Exceptional medical or social circumstances can also attract priority. Nursery attendance is not one of these criteria. For parents choosing the nursery with the next stage in mind, the practical consequence is clear: keep the Reception application separate from the nursery decision.

Nursery enquiries can go to the school office at office@swbschool.net or 02079872147. Online booking is available for school tours, which include nursery learning and an opportunity to ask questions. Tours run twice a week with a member of the senior leadership team; the team confirms the date after booking.

Nursery open evenings are scheduled for 19 October and 30 November 2026, with sessions at 4:30pm–5:30pm and 5:30pm–6:30pm on each date. These are visiting events, rather than nursery attendance sessions.