Goldthorpe Primary Academy Nursery Review

Mixing colours and investigating simple technology give Goldthorpe’s nursery its character: early learning starts with things children can change and try. There are 26 morning nursery places within Goldthorpe Primary Academy on Doncaster Road. The academy admits children from age 3.

Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at its inspection on 24 and 25 October 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) gives children practice in speaking, listening and sustaining their attention, alongside learning to persist and cooperate. These are practical foundations for joining in with learning: expressing an idea, listening to someone else and staying with a task. Language development is a central school priority.

Reading preparation begins with listening. In October 2023, nursery children were learning to distinguish sounds around them in both the outdoor environment and indoors, building the listening skills needed for later phonics. Across early years, children also had frequent opportunities to develop their understanding of mathematics.

Art involves experimentation with materials. Nursery children explore colour mixing and changes in texture, making their own artwork through daily activities. Focused art teaching sits alongside these everyday opportunities to explore materials.

Interactive screens, tablets and mobile phones feature in nursery technology activities. Adults demonstrate simple equipment and children investigate its use; families can extend this learning through practical challenges such as operating the button at a pedestrian crossing. The school’s Reading Enhanced Curriculum begins in early years and uses age-appropriate books to prompt questions and introduce knowledge. The emphasis is on giving children something concrete to explore and talk about.

In October 2023, early years children adjusted readily to school life, worked cooperatively and built positive connections with adults and other children. Clear routines and high expectations helped them understand what was expected. This gives settling a practical basis in familiar patterns and relationships.

An Early Years Lead and Foundation Stage staff form part of the team. Across the academy, staff train in the Thrive Approach, which supports emotional development and includes additional intervention for children who need it. The school also has an Inclusion and Thrive Lead and a Student Welfare Officer.

For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the SENDCo works with parents and the class teacher to plan support. Options include individual support, smaller teaching groups and adult-led interventions, with outside professionals involved for more complex needs. Support is reviewed through the Graduated Response process, allowing it to be adjusted as needs become clearer.

Parents can contact the class teacher through Seesaw Family or speak at collection and drop-off. EYFS Open Mornings give families opportunities to see classroom learning, with dates communicated by the teacher.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal Barnsley Council School Places route and meet the applicable deadline. Treat that application as a separate task from choosing the nursery.

In October 2023, learning to recognise environmental sounds prepared nursery children for later phonics. That educational preparation is separate from the allocation of a school place.

The nursery operates a morning model with 26 places. Nursery applications go through Barnsley Council’s school nursery application route. For general enquiries, contact the academy on 01709 301263 or email info@goldthorpepa.org.uk; a contact form is another option. Families can also arrange a school visit.