Inspire Academy Nursery

Songs, rhymes and stories give Inspire Academy’s nursery its clearest character: early learning with language running through it. This is the school’s own nursery on Mossley Road in Ashton-under-Lyne, with children eligible to begin in the term after their third birthday. Morning, afternoon and full-day patterns give families different ways to fit nursery into the week.

Ofsted rated the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 11 and 12 October 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Adult-guided activities alternate with time for children to choose their own play. Teaching can involve an individual child, a small group or the class together, with tasks matched to children’s abilities. The school calls the child-led part independent learning: children choose resources and pursue interests across indoor and outdoor learning areas. There is room for personal choice alongside adult direction.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together early number work and literacy with creativity, discovering the world, physical development, communication and learning to manage feelings and relationships. At Inspire, short teaching periods at the beginning of the year gradually lengthen. That gives the day a changing rhythm as children become accustomed to learning together.

In October 2023, nursery teaching used selected stories, singing and rhyme to draw children into reading. Children across early years were developing their speaking and communication well, preparing them for later learning. For parents, the emphasis is on building the language children need to participate, rather than treating reading as an isolated activity.

Caring staff relationships supported early years children’s sense of safety in October 2023. Communication support also has a practical structure: a qualified speech and language therapist works at the school weekly, supporting children, staff and parents. Speech Leap visits each week to assess and support younger pupils, provide individual and group sessions, and advise adults. This connects help for children with guidance for the people supporting them.

For SEND concerns, the class teacher is the first contact, followed by the SEND coordinator where needed. Support follows a cycle of assessment, planning, action and review, with parents involved in decisions and termly reviews. The school building is on one level, with wheelchair-accessible corridors and two accessible toilets. Sensory resources include ear defenders and adjustments to seating, giving concrete options for individual needs.

Children attending the 30-hour pattern can bring lunch from home or buy a school meal. The full-day lunch period runs from 11.30am to 12.30pm, so eating has a defined place in the nursery day.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place at Inspire Academy. Families must make a separate application through Tameside Council’s coordinated admissions process and meet the normal application deadline. Applications can be made from November each year through the council’s admissions service.

The practical distinction matters: the Academy manages nursery applications, while the council manages Reception applications. Choosing nursery therefore remains a decision about the child’s nursery experience; a later school place requires its own application.

The 15-hour morning pattern runs from 8.45am to 11.45am; the afternoon alternative is 12.15pm to 3.15pm. Children taking the 30-hour pattern attend from 8.45am to 2.45pm. These are distinct session choices, so the afternoon collection time depends on the pattern selected.

A 15-hour funded entitlement is offered, with 30 funded hours for working parents who satisfy the eligibility criteria. Parents whose child is ineligible for 30 hours can pay for extended hours. Ask the school for current charges. Wraparound care is available for 30-hour nursery pupils, subject to space, and before-school and after-school bookings must be made ahead through Arbor.

To express interest, complete the nursery form and send it by post or email to financelead@inspire.victoriousmat.org. General enquiries can go to the school office on 0161 339 7822. Uniform includes grey trousers, shorts or a skirt, a light blue polo and a dark blue logo sweater or cardigan. Label clothing and footwear so belongings can be identified.