Stanhope Primary School Nursery Review

Listening, learning together and getting used to school routines give Stanhope’s nursery its clearest character. In May 2023, nursery children paid attention to adults and cooperated with their peers: useful foundations for joining activities and sharing a learning space. This is the nursery provision within Stanhope Primary School on Gresford Street in South Shields.

Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good following its inspection on 4 and 5 May 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

At the May 2023 inspection, the early years classrooms had been adapted to help staff deliver the planned curriculum. For parents, the important connection is between the space and the learning it enables, rather than decoration alone. Cooperation and listening were evident among nursery children in May 2023, giving a concrete picture of how children took part alongside others.

Outdoor learning. In May 2023, the outdoor environment supported the early years curriculum less fully than the classrooms did. Further development was an improvement requirement. For families who value learning outside, this is a material consideration alongside the indoor provision.

A nursery Teddy Bear’s picnic announcement gives another glimpse of nursery life. Children were asked to bring a doll or bear, a drink and a small snack box while attending their usual hours. It shows a shared occasion built around something familiar from home, rather than establishing a regular timetable of activities.

Settling involved getting to know the child. In May 2023, staff worked with families and other local settings to build that understanding, and early years children adapted quickly to routines and expectations. This gives parents a concrete reason to share information about their child’s experiences before starting.

For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the early years lead has responsibility for recognising needs in early years and beginning support pathways where possible. The school’s SEND policy also includes parents in decisions about goals and progress. Speech and Language Therapy and Education, Health and Care Plans are among the named processes in its support arrangements, connecting classroom planning with specialist input where needed.

Records for children with SEND are maintained to support changes of class or school. The wider school staffing structure includes inclusion support and a Social, Emotional and Well-being Officer, as well as teaching assistants.

Food instructions for the nursery picnic were specific: containers needed names, glass was excluded, and food containing traces of nuts was prohibited. Those instructions apply to that event.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their entry year. South Tyneside Council manages the school’s admission arrangements; parents are directed to the council for admissions information.

Support with a change of class is a separate matter from securing a place. For children with SEND, maintaining support records provides continuity when their class or setting changes.

The school’s general enquiry number is 0191 420 1710. Stanhope Primary School is on Gresford Street, South Shields, NE33 4SZ. Use the school office for general enquiries and South Tyneside Council for school admissions information.