Gawthorpe Community Academy Nursery

Independent choices indoors and outside give Gawthorpe’s early years provision its clearest character. This is the nursery within Gawthorpe Community Academy on High Street in Ossett, with part-time morning and afternoon sessions.

Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at its inspection on 13 and 14 December 2022. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

In December 2022, children in early years approached activities independently, showing curiosity and confidence. Adults supported their learning through purposeful exchanges, and children progressed well across the learning areas. For parents, the useful detail is the balance between adult involvement and opportunities for children to make their own decisions.

Learning extended beyond the classroom into the outdoor environment. Children showed respect and chose appropriately while working independently in both spaces. The early years foundation stage here therefore included learning how to manage choices alongside developing knowledge: independence was part of the learning itself.

Storytelling and leadership. The December 2022 findings also identified uneven storytelling across the school, with some sessions failing to keep children interested. Staff training was required to strengthen enjoyment of books. Some newly appointed leaders also needed further development to lead their areas consistently and evaluate changes. These were school-level improvement points, rather than separate nursery judgements.

A nursery teacher has safeguarding responsibilities, and the wider early years team includes a nursery nurse, an early years practitioner and teaching assistants, including an SEN teaching assistant. This places nursery care within a team containing teaching, care and additional-support roles.

Parents can raise concerns through the school’s open-door arrangement, alongside parent evenings. A learning mentor is available during the day. Each class also holds a meeting with its teacher at the beginning of the academic year to discuss learning and class expectations, giving families a starting point for conversations about their child’s experience.

For special educational needs and disabilities, parents can arrange a discussion with the class teacher, SENCO or head of school. Gawthorpe aims to adapt learning challenges and address barriers to participation, so those conversations can focus on what a child needs to access learning.

Nursery children receive fruit or a vegetable each day through the School Fruit and Vegetable Scheme. Children also need their own water bottle each day, making drinking water part of the practical preparation for a session.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Wakefield admissions is the route for Reception applications. Treat that application as a distinct task when planning your child’s next step.

Morning nursery runs from 8:45am to 11:45am; the afternoon session runs from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. These part-time sessions create two distinct collection points for families organising their day.

The academy expects children to wear its logo jumper or cardigan. Nursery enquiries can be made on 01924 679680 or by emailing gca-enquiries@inspirepartnership.org.uk.