Buildwas Academy Nursery Review

In spring 2025, story time, movement tasks and Little Wandle phonics gave Buildwas Academy’s nursery a recognisable classroom rhythm. Nursery provision sits within the primary school on Buildwas Road, with an early years and Year 1 teacher and education support assistants forming part of the school team. In that spring timetable, nursery children took part in shared class activities and had a separate phonics group.

Ofsted judged early years provision Good at the inspection on 18 and 19 June 2024. That judgement applies to early years within the school, rather than to a separately inspected nursery.

The Early Years Foundation Stage combines learning to communicate, manage feelings and move confidently with early literacy, mathematics, creative work and discovering the world. For parents, the useful distinction is that learning extends beyond letters and numbers: physical and social development belong alongside them.

In the spring 2025 Willow class timetable, the morning began with table activities and tasks involving small and large movements. Little Wandle practice followed, with nursery children in their own group; story time came next for the youngest children. Forest school also featured. These activities brought language and movement into the same morning, rather than making early learning solely a seated exercise.

The shared timetable also included music, PE, art and nursery rhymes, ending with stories, singing and a sign of the week. These are class activities, not evidence that nursery children followed every subject lesson intended for older classmates. In June 2024, early years learning followed a carefully ordered sequence and children achieved well. Planned activities generally made the intended learning clear, although this was not consistent in every instance.

For early years entry, parents meet the Head of School and Early Years Lead to discuss their child and hear about the curriculum. Children can spend time in class during the preceding term. That gives families an opportunity to share needs before the child starts and introduces children to the classroom beforehand.

Lunch arrangements include a daily hot meal, a vegetarian choice and the option of bringing a packed lunch. The school excludes nuts. For EYFS children, eating supervision includes an adult with paediatric first aid certification in the room; dietary information is gathered before admission and allergy plans involve health professionals.

Additional needs. The school uses an assess, plan, do and review cycle, with possible communication support including WellComm and Talk Boost. However, June 2024 findings across the school identified insufficiently precise support and weaknesses in identifying and reviewing SEND needs. Families should discuss how their child’s individual barriers will be addressed and progress reviewed. These were school-wide concerns, not a separate nursery judgement.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application. For the 2026/27 intake, applications went through Shropshire Council by 15 January in the preceding academic year; families elsewhere in England applied through their home local authority.

Nursery attendance conferred no priority under those arrangements. Becoming familiar with school routines is therefore separate from securing admission. Families considering a later intake should use the arrangements for that entry year.

Contact the school administrator at admin.buildwas@taw.org.uk or on 01952 387 827 for nursery enquiries. Prospective parents are welcome to visit the school.

Collection requires an adult with parental responsibility or confirmed permission. Give the school the details of any other authorised collector. The site has two levels, with ramp access to the main hall and demountable classrooms; families needing arranged access should telephone before visiting.