Looe Primary Academy Nursery

A start from age two, within the school building: Looe Primary Academy’s nursery is the academy’s own pre-school provision on Hay Lane in East Looe. The school occupies one site, with views out to sea. That gives the nursery a school setting with a distinctly coastal backdrop.

The provision serves children from two, rather than beginning only at the point of school entry. For families considering an early start, the distinction matters: this is nursery provision within a primary academy, with the school’s support arrangements alongside it.

Stories, conversation and early number work give the clearest picture of learning here. In December 2024, children in early years developed strong language skills, explored how story characters felt and used conversation to extend what they already understood. Counting was a concrete example: children talked confidently about numbers. Learning involved explaining ideas, as well as recognising them.

Early reading also involved checking understanding. Staff assessed what early-years children knew before introducing more demanding sounds, keeping the next step connected to their existing knowledge. For parents, that is a useful distinction between simply encountering new material and being ready to use it.

Social learning belongs alongside those activities. In December 2024, early-years children practised taking turns and sharing, and developed close friendships. These are practical skills for joining a group: learning includes how to participate with other children, as well as language and numbers.

Support for additional needs draws on the school’s SEND arrangements. The academy aims to recognise needs early through classroom work, assessment and regular conversations with parents. Teachers and teaching assistants receive continuing training, while SEND coordinators and an inclusion lead form part of the support structure.

Help can involve smaller teaching groups, extra support in class or particular resources. Speech and Language Therapy, the Cognition and Learning Service and Educational Psychology are among the outside services involved. Families start a discussion about learning support with their child’s teacher; the school office provides the route to a SEND coordinator for further help. This gives parents a clear sequence for raising concerns.

Safeguarding training explicitly covers the nursery. Level 3 trained staff cover both nursery and main-school provision, and training takes account of coastal risks and concerns affecting pre-school children. Work with the Early Help Hub and police forms part of those arrangements.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Cornwall Council School Admissions. The application period runs from September to January, so nursery attendance should not replace planning for that application.

Contact the school office on 01503 262172 or email secretary@looeprimary.co.uk for enquiries. School visits can be arranged by appointment through the secretary, giving prospective families an opportunity to look around.

Writing support. In December 2024, the school needed more precise checks of pupils’ writing knowledge and better adaptations to help them write independently. This was a school-wide concern, rather than a finding specifically assigned to the nursery.