Manor Primary Academy Nursery Review

Independent activity and positive relationships with adults give Manor’s early years provision its character. Children can choose their learning, although the purpose behind those choices needs closer attention. That combination matters: independence is useful, but young children also need adults to give their play a clear learning direction.

The nursery forms part of Manor Primary Academy on Drayton Lane in Drayton Bassett, Tamworth. The school serves children aged 3 to 11. At the March 2025 Ofsted inspection, early years provision was graded Good. This was an early years judgement within the school inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating.

In March 2025, the early years environment was stimulating and of high quality. Children were able to use the learning provision independently and had positive connections with staff. For a child beginning nursery, those features offer opportunities to make choices and take part with a familiar adult nearby.

The balance between choice and teaching was less secure. Children sometimes switched activities without a clear learning purpose. Adults did not reliably direct activities towards developing speech and language. Choosing something to do therefore did not necessarily mean that a child was practising the communication skills they needed.

Curriculum planning was the central concern. The intended learning, including knowledge, skills and vocabulary, needed clearer definition and a more deliberate order. This affects the substance of the day: attractive activities need to connect to what children are meant to learn and retain. The improvement required was about the learning behind the activity, as well as the activity itself.

Positive relationships between children and early years staff were a strength in March 2025. Together with independent access to activities, these give children both adult connection and room to make their own choices.

At school level, the same inspection identified delays in recognising some pupils’ special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and providing help. Some consequently had difficulty participating in learning. This was a school-wide concern, rather than a finding confined to nursery children, but it is relevant to families whose child needs additional support. Safeguarding arrangements across the school were effective at that inspection.

Attending Manor’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Choosing the nursery and securing a school place are separate decisions; nursery attendance should not be treated as an admission promise.

The nursery’s school address is Drayton Lane, Drayton Bassett, Tamworth, B78 3TX. For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 01827 213820 or email office@manor.fierte.org. This provides a direct contact route for families considering the provision.