Trinity Academy St Peter's Nursery Review

Talking and listening give the early years provision at Trinity Academy St Peter's its clearest character. In June 2023, adults demonstrated communication skills that helped children converse with each other, while supportive adult relationships contributed to their development. For a young child, those everyday exchanges are part of learning to join in.

The nursery belongs to the Church of England primary academy on St Peter's Avenue in Sowerby. Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good following its inspection on 20 and 21 June 2023. This is an early years judgement within the school inspection.

Communication is a concrete thread through the early years learning. In June 2023, children were helped to speak and listen through the way adults communicated with them. The emphasis was on exchanges between children as well as with staff, making conversation part of their learning together.

A developed early years learning space also featured in June 2023. Staff training was helping adults make better use of that environment. The physical space and the way staff used it therefore mattered together, rather than the room alone defining the experience.

Curriculum continuity. In June 2023, some early years teaching did not connect closely enough with subsequent learning in Year 1, especially in foundation subjects. This weakened the foundations children needed for later learning. Closer connections between these stages were an improvement priority, an important qualification alongside the positive findings about communication and relationships.

Adult relationships supported children's development in June 2023. Alongside that early years finding, the academy's SENDCo role is combined with an EYFS teaching role. Families discussing additional needs therefore have a contact whose responsibilities include both early years teaching and special educational needs coordination: SENDCO@stpeters.trinitymat.org.

For children with SEND joining the academy, transition support can include extra visits and, where appropriate, a taster session. Planning draws on discussions with parents and those involved in the child's care. These arrangements allow individual needs to shape preparation for starting school.

The academy's dining arrangements include dietary plans for needs such as gluten or lactose intolerance and nut allergies, managed by the kitchen team. A rotating menu runs over three weeks, with a separate menu for dietary exclusions. These are school arrangements, relevant to families considering how food requirements will be handled.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council's coordinated admissions process, meeting the normal deadline.

For 2027/28, nursery attendance carries no Reception priority. Allocation depends on the applicable admission criteria. Choosing the nursery should therefore be a decision about the early years experience; the later school application remains a separate practical step.

The academy is at St Peter's Avenue, Sowerby, Sowerby Bridge, HX6 1HB. Its telephone number is 01422 831971. For planning around the school calendar, academy term dates cover 2026/27 and 2027/28.