The Norman Church of England Primary School, Northwold: Nursery Review

Reading begins in the nursery here, alongside the everyday routines of learning with other children. Two-year-olds are part of the early years provision at The Norman Church of England Primary School, Northwold, so the nursery sits within the school's early years foundation stage rather than operating as a separate provider.

Ofsted graded early years provision Good at the inspection on 19 and 20 September 2023. That judgement covers the school's early years provision; it should not be read as a separate nursery rating. For parents, the useful detail is the combination of an early start to reading and routines that young children learned quickly.

The first steps towards reading are a concrete part of nursery learning. In September 2023, children were beginning the basics of reading before leaving nursery. This gives families a specific picture of the learning emphasis: preparation for reading starts during these early years, rather than waiting until children move into a school class.

Routine matters too. During that same month, early years children picked up the expectations of daily school life quickly, with older children providing examples for younger ones. Familiar expectations can help a young child understand what happens next and how to take part alongside others.

The school's curriculum begins in early years and builds knowledge through successive stages. In parent language, this means early learning forms the starting point for what follows. Grace Schools, the trust formerly known as DEMAT, describes its curriculum approach as teaching knowledge in a planned sequence, with an emphasis on remembering it. That is a trust approach, distinct from a nursery timetable or a particular play activity.

Support for additional needs sits within a trust framework. The trust describes adapting teaching and making reasonable adjustments in response to assessed needs, while working with families and professionals. For a parent whose child needs extra help, the relevant principle is that support should respond to the individual child.

Where additional or different support is needed, the trust specifies an ASSESS-PLAN-DO-REVIEW cycle. This means identifying the need, planning support, putting it into practice and reviewing it. The SENDCo and headteacher are points of contact for families, giving parents a route into discussions about their child's support.

The trust also provides schools with advice from a central Inclusion and Safeguarding team. This adds a layer of support for school teams; it does not establish a particular nursery staffing arrangement.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions: familiarity with school routines is a learning benefit, not an assurance that a place will be allocated.

The school is on School Lane, Northwold, Thetford, IP26 5NB. For nursery enquiries, contact the school on 01366728241. Refer to the school for current charges.