Werrington Primary School Nursery Review

Listening comes before formal phonics at Werrington’s nursery, with stories read aloud each day and books that invite children to talk. That gives its early reading approach a clear starting point: attention, conversation and enjoyment of books.

The nursery belongs to Werrington Primary School on Washerwall Lane, Werrington. Teaching staff and learning support staff have nursery roles, within a school leadership structure that includes an early years lead.

Morning nursery runs from 8:45am to 11:45am. Lunch follows until 12:30pm, with the afternoon continuing to 3:20pm. These distinct parts give families a concrete picture of the day’s timetable.

Early reading begins with listening skills. Before children are ready for books matched to their knowledge of sounds, they have books intended to prompt discussion and interest in reading. An adult reads to every child each day, so shared stories are a regular experience rather than an occasional activity. Reading diaries and journals provide a connection between reading at school and at home.

Number learning has a practical purpose too. In February 2024, nursery children understood numbers securely and used that understanding to create charts about their class pets. This is a useful example of early mathematics becoming something children can use, rather than simply recite. Across the wider school curriculum, however, some subjects needed a sharper focus on essential knowledge because this was slowing learning.

The Werrington Way also applies to nursery, with expectations adjusted for children’s age and SEND needs. Its emphasis includes respect, effort and safety. Sharing equipment and including others in games give those ideas a practical expression, helping children understand what considerate play involves.

For SEND discussions, the class teacher is the first contact, with the special educational needs coordinator providing a further route. Decisions about additional provision involve parents. The school supports needs affecting communication, learning, emotional development and physical or sensory access, so conversations can consider more than academic progress alone.

School-wide wellbeing support includes individual sessions, group activities and opportunities for parents to seek support. The Werrington Wellbeing Room provides a physical space for this work with children and families. Support is tailored to need rather than following one fixed pattern.

Mellors provides the school’s catering. The nursery timetable includes a lunch period between morning and afternoon learning. Regular school letters reach families through Arbor; keeping the account’s email address updated helps parents receive them.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process by the applicable deadline. Werrington follows Staffordshire County Council’s admission arrangements. Treat the nursery decision and the later Reception application as separate tasks.

To register interest in nursery, contact the school office and return the application paperwork to the school. The office can be reached on 01782 980010 or at office@wps.potteries.ac.uk.

The school’s dress guidelines combine grey bottoms, a white shirt or polo shirt, navy knitwear and black footwear. Non-logo items can be bought from other retailers. Clothing should be labelled, making it easier to identify children’s belongings.