The Five Islands Academy Nursery Review

An island setting gives the early curriculum its starting point: Five Islands Academy says its learning draws inspiration from Scilly’s surroundings and creative community. Nursery provision belongs to an all-through academy whose curriculum begins at age three. The emphasis is on connecting the first stages of learning with what follows.

Across the academy, primary bases serve St Agnes, Tresco and St Martin’s, while St Mary’s has a larger base accommodating primary and secondary education. This geography matters when considering the school as a whole; nursery attendance and arrangements should be considered separately from those of older pupils.

The Early Years Foundation Stage, or EYFS, is the starting stage of the academy’s connected curriculum. The school aims to develop curiosity, collaboration and confident spoken communication, with learning that has a clear purpose. For parents, that places early learning within a longer educational plan rather than treating it as an isolated stage.

Read Write Inc. is the named phonics programme used from EYFS. Teaching begins with the whole class before developing into smaller groups. That gives early reading a defined teaching structure. Reading books come from several publishers, with choices matched to children’s reading level, allowing selection within that level.

Making also has a place in the curriculum from EYFS: design technology includes learning about materials and processes. The academy links this work to becoming a designer, giving practical exploration a purpose beyond the finished object. These are specific curriculum features; they should not be mistaken for a timetable of nursery activities.

For additional-needs concerns, the academy’s first contact is the child’s class teacher. Parents can email that member of staff, and the school encourages them to raise concerns promptly. Sharing positive experiences is encouraged too, so communication includes successes as well as difficulties. A SEND coordinator is based at St Mary’s.

The Isles of Scilly Parent Carer Group provides a further connection for families whose children have additional needs or disabilities. It welcomes members across the islands and aims to provide peer support and work with education, health and social-care agencies.

For school meals, dietary requirements can be communicated through the academy’s main enquiry email or reception telephone. The school menu includes fruit or yogurt as dessert alternatives, with wholemeal bread each day. These are academy meal arrangements, rather than a separate description of nursery catering.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Treat that application as a distinct step when planning your child’s move.

The Local Academy Committee holds the admissions-authority duties devolved by the local authority. The academy’s connected curriculum is an educational arrangement, not a promise of admission: continuity in learning and entitlement to a place are separate matters.

General enquiries go to enquiries@fiveislands.org or 01720 424850. The academy’s main contact address is Carn Gwaval, Church Road, St Mary’s, TR21 0NA. That provides a central contact point for families considering its nursery provision.

School visits can be arranged by contacting the academy by email or telephone. For families assessing the setting, a visit offers an opportunity to discuss their child’s needs alongside the practical decision about attendance. Refer to the school for current charges.