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Nursery at Southwick Community Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Autumn colours in the forest and numbers explored through play give Southwick’s nursery a practical character. This is nursery provision within Southwick Community Primary School on Shakespeare Street, with a nursery teacher and teaching assistants listed within the early years team. Language, physical development and learning to manage feelings shape the curriculum. Indoor and outdoor activities develop large movements and finer hand control, giving children practice in strength and coordination for early writing.
Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at its inspection on 22 and 23 June 2022. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery inspection outcome.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach combines activities guided by adults with learning children choose themselves. In parent language, children have opportunities to explore and play, while adults introduce vocabulary, ask questions and help them develop an idea further. Speaking and listening receive particular attention, giving children ways to explain their thinking and join conversations.
Early mathematics is practical. Nursery children explore quantities, patterns and differences through counting, sorting and comparing. They also practise recognising small quantities without counting each item. Number blocks are among the resources used, linking mathematical ideas to play rather than relying solely on formal tasks.
For early literacy, nursery children explore the Little Candle Foundations programme, the name used on the phonics page. Across early years, regularly shared core books provide starting points for conversation, imagination and vocabulary. Classroom book areas give reading a physical place in the learning environment.
Indoor activities and outdoor experiences both contribute to learning. During Outdoor Learning Day 2025, nursery children matched autumn colours in the forest: a concrete way to notice differences in their surroundings. The nursery PE plan includes dance and gymnastics alongside movement activities and games, bringing opportunities to practise coordination into the curriculum. In June 2022, early years children also explored their neighbourhood on walks and created maps, connecting direct experience with representing a place.
Preparation begins with information from families and previous settings before children start school. During their opening half-term, staff build a picture of each child through observation and interaction. This gives adults a starting point for planning activities and support around the child’s needs.
Parents remain involved through consultation meetings, where early years assessments are shared. Tapestry is used selectively to record significant learning moments. These are different forms of communication: conversations provide space for discussion, while recorded examples capture aspects of a child’s learning.
The school’s SEND arrangements include support plans, progress reviews and meetings with parents to agree further help. Its SEND information report identifies staff trained in Makaton and PECS, alongside links with Speech and Language Therapy. For families needing additional support, these provide specific routes for discussing communication needs. The school building is on a single level, with a disabled toilet, a shower area and changing facilities.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal school admissions route and meet the relevant deadline. Southwick directs applications through Sunderland Council’s online admissions process.
The admission arrangements for 2025/26 did not include nursery attendance as a priority criterion. Families should check the admission arrangements for their child’s Reception entry year before treating nursery attendance as an admissions advantage. Separately, the school’s SEND transition arrangements include passing support plans to the next teacher, transition meetings between staff and sessions with the new class teacher. These address continuity of support rather than entitlement to a place.
For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 0191 500 9554 or email info@southwickprimary.co.uk. Office hours are 8am to 5pm.
School tours can be arranged by appointment through the office. Ask the office whether the school tour includes the nursery.
The June 2022 school inspection graded early years provision Good. This is an early years judgement within the school inspection, not a separate nursery outcome.
Nursery children practise counting, recognising quantities, sorting, comparing and exploring patterns. Number blocks support learning through play.
Yes. The early years curriculum includes indoor and outdoor experiences. Nursery children matched autumn colours in the forest during Outdoor Learning Day 2025.
No. A separate application is required through Sunderland Council’s online admissions route. The 2025/26 arrangements did not give priority for nursery attendance.
Call 0191 500 9554 or email info@southwickprimary.co.uk. School office hours are 8am to 5pm, and school tours can be arranged by appointment.
