Woodhouse Pre-school at Ilsington Church of England Primary School

Woodhouse brings pre-school into the life of a village primary, with early years practitioners working alongside the primary team. It is the integrated nursery provision at Ilsington Church of England Primary School, in rural Devon near Dartmoor. That relationship between the teams is its defining feature: the school aims to make the move into school life feel continuous.

Christian values shape the wider setting. Friendship and compassion sit alongside honesty, kindness, respect and resilience, giving families a sense of the language the school uses around relationships and behaviour.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum forms part of the school's teaching framework. Stories and rhymes provide a concrete picture of early learning here. In April 2023, children in the early years learned nursery rhymes and stories from the start, building vocabulary and an interest in reading. Rhymes and stories give parents a concrete example of how children develop vocabulary.

Physical learning also includes pre-school. Sports coaches work with the teaching team, with skills and concepts planned to develop over time. The school aims to help children enjoy physical activity and gain confidence through tackling challenges. This places movement alongside language within the early learning picture.

A pre-school manager and practitioners make up the Woodhouse team; a practitioner also holds a teaching assistant role. The pre-school manager supports the school's safeguarding lead and has Level 3 safeguarding training. Staff receive safeguarding updates monthly, alongside annual training. This connects nursery care to the school's wider arrangements for protecting children.

For children with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), Link Academy Trust uses Assess, Plan, Do, Review: identify needs, agree support, put it into practice and reconsider its impact. Parents' views inform the support chosen. Adaptations can include visual prompts, changes to grouping and extra time to process information, so support can respond to the particular difficulty a child faces.

Ilsington also has a sensory room, intended to support sensory exploration, imagination and communication. This is a school facility. Early Help brings staff, families and other services together around difficulties at home or in education, giving parents a route to raise concerns early.

A separate application. Attending Woodhouse does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply again through Devon County Council, rather than directly to the school, using the normal Reception application route and meeting its deadline.

Teamwork supports transition separately from admissions. Early years practitioners collaborate with the primary team, while the trust aims to adapt transition arrangements to each child's needs. Familiarity with school life should therefore be understood as preparation for change, rather than an assurance of admission.

Pre-school applications go directly to the school. Visits can be arranged by calling 01364 661208 or emailing adminilsington@thelink.academy. This gives families a direct introduction to Woodhouse and the school it belongs to.