St Werburgh's CE (A) Primary School Nursery Review

A Church of England school setting gives St Werburgh's nursery its context: this is school-attached provision on Holt Lane in Kingsley. The school describes family relationships and its Christian foundation as central to its character, with links to parents, the parish and the local community. For families choosing a nursery within a faith school, that identity deserves consideration alongside the practical arrangements.

Language gives the clearest picture of early learning here. At the November 2023 inspection, children across the school's early years were learning successfully, and adults demonstrated complete sentences to help them develop their speech and express their thinking. The practical value is clear: language support helps children communicate their ideas.

Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good following its inspection on 21 and 22 November 2023. That judgement covers the school's early years provision; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Support for special educational needs and disabilities follows the school's Graduated Response. Staff begin by considering a child's abilities and difficulties, then agree adjustments and goals. Teaching staff put the support into practice alongside the SENDCo or Welfare Co-ordinator and support colleagues. Regular reviews involve parents and, where appropriate, the child, giving families a role in deciding whether the arrangements are helping.

When progress remains limited, the school adjusts support or considers specialist involvement. St Werburgh's also belongs to the local SEND & Inclusion Hub, which gives staff a route to advice from specialists and other SENDCos. Families with concerns should speak first to their child's class teacher, then to the SENDCo or Welfare Co-ordinator.

Matching support to needs. In November 2023, some pupils across the school received lesson support that did not precisely address their SEND, limiting their learning. This was a school-wide concern rather than a nursery-specific finding, but it makes discussion of individual adjustments especially useful for families needing additional support.

Safeguarding concerns can go to the school's designated safeguarding lead, deputy or another team member. Staff receive safeguarding and Prevent training. Through Operation Encompass, police notifications after domestic abuse incidents help the school respond sensitively to affected children, with discreet emotional support or adjusted expectations where needed.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal admissions process by the normal deadline. Reception applications go through Staffordshire Local Authority. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for school as separate decisions.

Contact the school office on 01538 702355, option 1, or email office@st-werburghs.staffs.sch.uk for enquiries. Visits can be arranged directly with the school, giving prospective families an opportunity to discuss their child's needs before deciding.