Mary Rose Academy Nursery Review

Small steps in communication give this nursery its character. Mary Rose Academy’s youngest children have learning tailored to their individual needs, with opportunities to practise communication and become more independent. The nursery sits within the academy’s specialist provision in Southsea, Portsmouth.

In the Ofsted inspection published on 6 January 2026, early years reached Strong standard. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision. Personalised teaching, individual reading programmes and close work with families are the details that matter here: they connect learning to what each child needs next.

Communication is part of the learning itself. Adults demonstrate how to communicate, then give children opportunities to practise. In January 2026, children were making progress from their own starting points and developing greater independence. Activities also helped them form relationships with staff, giving learning a familiar human connection.

Reading follows an individual route. Children beginning to read have programmes shaped around their needs, with activities adapted to develop engagement with stories. The early years curriculum breaks skills and knowledge into manageable stages, so teaching can focus on the next achievable step for each child.

Across the academy, teaching groups are small and organised around the complexity of pupils’ needs. The school calls its wider curriculum approach Steering Toward Success, with learning pursued through different pathways. For parents, the practical emphasis is on a child’s individual learning requirements rather than a single pace for the group.

Getting started involves preparation with the family. Before a pupil joins, staff arrange a visit and make contact with an existing education setting where relevant. A staff member visits the child at home and/or their current placement, and transition arrangements are tailored to the child and family. This gives staff a way to understand the child before teaching begins.

The class teacher carries responsibility for pupils’ everyday wellbeing. Where needed, an individual health care plan addresses medication, personal care and emergency procedures. The academy also has accessible toilets and changing facilities, practical features for children who need help with care routines.

Parents can discuss progress through review meetings, parents’ evenings and appointments with teachers or senior leaders. Family Support Workers help with applications, referrals and contact with other services. Free family workshops can cover Makaton, using PECS at home and fussy eating, giving parents practical ways to support learning and care beyond school.

Food provision includes a school lunch menu. In summer 2026, daily options included fresh fruit, yogurt, milk and bread alongside a salad bar. This describes the academy’s meal provision for that term.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Treat nursery admission and the next placement as separate decisions. At Mary Rose, the local authority arranges admissions after consultation with families, the academy and relevant professionals; nursery applications go to the Portsmouth Early Years Panel.

Placement decisions consider whether the academy can meet the child’s EHCP needs, whether the necessary resources can be provided and whether an appropriate class has a vacancy. Families should work with the local authority on the next placement, keeping that decision separate from the child’s familiarity with staff and school routines.

For enquiries, contact admin@maryroseacademy.info or telephone 023 9285 2330. Informal visits are encouraged before families accept a placement.

Transport eligibility. Local authority transport depends on meeting its criteria. Parents must contact the transport service for assessment; where required, transport can include passenger assistance and special seating. Families remain responsible for seeing their child safely to the vehicle and receiving them at home.