The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Nursery at Swalwell 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Storybooks lead to soup-making, imaginary journeys into space and investigations of worms in Swalwell’s early years planning. This is the school’s own nursery on South View Terrace in Swalwell, with learning described through practical activities as well as stories and early number work.
Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 10 and 11 May 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) planning connects books, maths and practical exploration. In the 2023–2024 long-term plan, The Everywhere Bear accompanies early counting, transport and jobs. The gigantic turnip leads into planting, vegetable printing and making soup. These links give children concrete things to handle and discuss alongside the story.
Imaginary play has a place too. Space-themed learning includes constructing a spaceship and a space station role-play area, while The Three Little Pigs brings house-building and investigation of construction materials. Children can explore the ideas in a book through making and pretend play, rather than through listening alone.
Outdoor experiences feature in that same plan. The Gruffalo connects with forest school activities and animal habitats; Yucky worms introduces minibeast searches, a wormery and exploration beneath the ground. A planned visit to Derwent Walk accompanies woodland learning. These are examples from the 2023–2024 programme, rather than a timetable of current trips.
Early writing also involves physical practice. The 2023–2024 English expectations describe chunky pens, large chalks and triangular pencils, with opportunities to make marks on pavement and chalk boards. Letter-join supports movement exercises and pattern work. The emphasis includes developing hand control, giving children ways to practise before writing becomes more precise.
Developmental readiness shapes the handwriting policy: pre-cursive writing is introduced when children are ready. Teachers and teaching assistants check letter formation during small-group work, so support can happen while a child is practising.
The same 2023–2024 policy addresses individual physical needs. Left-handed children are positioned to avoid bumping writing arms with a neighbour. For children with specific difficulties, a sloping writing surface or a triangular pencil grip may help, with support from the special educational needs and disabilities coordinator. These adjustments concern access to writing activities, rather than a separate nursery care programme.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process.
For the past 2026 intake, the school directed parents to Gateshead’s online school admissions service and gave 15 January 2026 as the application date. Keep that cycle separate from a future application: it is not a current deadline.
The nursery sits within Swalwell Primary School at South View Terrace, NE16 3HZ. The school can be contacted on 01914334000 for enquiries.
For school communication, Arbor provides access to child information, updates, payments and bookings. Parents need the school’s welcome email before setting up access, making that email the starting point for using the app or Parent Portal.
Yes. The nursery is part of Swalwell Primary School on South View Terrace in Swalwell.
Early years provision was judged Good at the school inspection on 10 and 11 May 2023. This is a school early years judgement, not a separate nursery grade.
The 2023–2024 plan includes soup-making, spaceship construction, minibeast searches and a wormery, linked to stories and maths.
No. Families need to apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process.
Wait for the school’s welcome email, then use its link to set up a password before signing into the app or Parent Portal.
