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Nursery at William Cassidi Church of England Aided 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Paint, construction blocks and model making give William Cassidi’s nursery a practical, creative character. Children enjoy these activities, but enjoyment alone does not settle the question of how much they learn from them. The distinction matters here.
This is the nursery provision within William Cassidi Church of England Aided Primary School, on Morrison Street in Stillington. Ofsted’s inspection document dated 10 February 2026 judged early years as Needs attention. That is an early-years judgement within the school’s inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating. For parents, the central consideration is the consistency of adult support during play and early learning.
Block construction, painting and making models provide concrete examples of what children do. However, in February 2026, staff too often missed opportunities to use these activities to extend children’s vocabulary or understanding of numbers. An engaging task needs purposeful conversation alongside it if children are to gain more than the finished creation.
The early years foundation stage (EYFS) curriculum covers seven learning areas. In parent terms, the programme includes children’s communication, physical development and learning to manage relationships, alongside the early skills discussed below. The curriculum itself was appropriate; the concern was how consistently adults turned it into learning.
Conversation deserves close attention. Children did not receive enough sustained, purposeful exchanges with adults, and support for language development varied. Early writing had similar weaknesses: adults did not reliably guide pencil grip, while teaching children how to shape letters was inconsistent. The February 2026 report linked these weaknesses to children being insufficiently ready for Year 1. It called for faster progress in securing basic knowledge, with writing a particular priority.
Space and resources supported physical development. Social learning also had specific content: children practised taking turns, sharing materials and persevering to finish tasks. These give families useful points of reference beyond whether a child enjoys an activity.
Relationships with parents were a strength within early years in February 2026. Leaders built trust with families and worked alongside them to support children’s development. That partnership provides a basis for discussing a child’s progress and needs.
Some early-years children needed additional help to meet behaviour expectations. Support therefore matters both for taking part in activities and for learning how to share the session with others.
Consistency of teaching. Early years was a leadership priority, but action had been too slow or insufficiently effective by February 2026. Families should weigh the positive parent relationships alongside the specific weaknesses in conversation and early writing, rather than treating either as the whole picture.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Choosing the nursery and obtaining a school place are separate decisions.
The school’s address is Morrison Street, Stillington, Stockton-on-Tees, TS21 1JD. For nursery enquiries, contact the school on 01740630270.
The February 2026 inspection described children enjoying model making, painting and building with blocks.
Early years was judged Needs attention in the inspection document dated 10 February 2026. This was part of the school inspection, not a separate nursery inspection.
Adult conversation did not consistently extend children’s language. Activities too often missed opportunities to develop vocabulary and number knowledge, while support for pencil grip and letter formation varied.
No. A separate Reception application is required through the normal admissions process, by the applicable deadline.
Telephone the school on 01740630270. Its address is Morrison Street, Stillington, Stockton-on-Tees, TS21 1JD.
