Tilbury Pioneer Academy Nursery

Preparation for writing provides a concrete early-years detail: in September 2022, children were supported to develop larger movements and finer muscle control to help them prepare for writing. The nursery forms part of the primary academy on Dickens Avenue in Tilbury, within the Gateway Learning Community (GLC).

Responsibility, compassion, aspiration and resilience are the trust’s values. Its aims connect learning with relationships: children are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions, treat others with respect and keep trying after setbacks. These are ambitions for the community, rather than a separate assessment of nursery quality.

Physical development contributes to preparation for writing. In September 2022, Ofsted noted that early-years children were supported to develop both larger movements and finer muscle control, helping them get ready for writing. This gives parents a useful distinction: preparation involves developing control of movement as well as learning about written language.

The GLC’s teaching vision brings together curiosity, communication, creativity and critical thinking. It aims to help children ask questions, express ideas and feelings, develop new ideas and consider information thoughtfully. These are trust-wide intentions; the specific early-years practice evidenced here is the movement work that supports writing readiness.

Support for special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) sits within a trust-wide approach that treats inclusion as a responsibility shared by staff. Teaching adaptations are the first response, with support shaped around a child’s needs. For parents, the useful emphasis is on identifying what makes learning difficult and adjusting provision accordingly.

The GLC uses an assess-plan-do-review cycle. Staff identify barriers, plan support, put it into practice and consider its impact. Explicit instruction and scaffolding are among the named strategies, giving families concrete ways to understand the approach rather than a general promise of inclusion.

Family support also extends beyond teaching. The GLC works with Thurrock Frontline to support families and participates in Operation Encompass, a partnership between education and police intended to enable support after a child has experienced domestic abuse.

Attending the 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 nursery provision and obtaining a school place are separate decisions; parents should keep the Reception application as a distinct step in their planning.

Reception admission. A nursery place is not a promise of a later school place. Families should plan on completing both processes.

The academy’s address is Dickens Avenue, Tilbury, Essex, RM18 8HJ. Nursery enquiries can be directed to the academy by telephone on 01375 488420 or by email to admin.pioneer@theglc.org.uk. A contact form also includes an Admissions option, providing another route for an enquiry.

For families arranging their calendar, school term dates can be consulted online. Keep that calendar alongside the separate Reception application timetable when planning the move from nursery to school.