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Nursery at Horbury Bridge Church of England Junior and Infant Academy
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Real objects, natural materials and play give this nursery its character. Horbury Bridge Church of England Junior and Infant Academy’s nursery sits within the school’s early years provision on Bridge Road in Wakefield, with the school’s age range beginning at three. Its early years team includes a nursery manager, an early years lead and a SEND coordinator.
Play and active exploration shape the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the early education framework used here. Children combine activities they choose themselves with learning directed by adults. The Curiosity Approach brings everyday objects into an environment of muted colours and natural materials. The school aims to encourage children to investigate, develop ideas and work out solutions, giving their questions a place in the day.
Language gets practical attention. Nursery children listen to sounds around them, explore musical instruments and enjoy stories and rhymes. Little Wandle begins in Upper Nursery when children start to tell letter sounds apart. This gives early reading a listening foundation before children move towards recognising sounds in words.
Indoors and outdoors both serve as learning spaces, while Forest School adds opportunities for movement through adult-led activities and children’s own play. Nursery maths includes counting aloud to ten and number songs up to five. These are early encounters with number rather than a miniature school lesson timetable.
In February 2023, Ofsted found that adults developed early years children’s speech effectively and that the nursery’s emphasis on language and number supported preparation for Reception. The outdoor environment also supported learning. These findings concern early years within the school, rather than a separate nursery grade.
Getting familiar with the setting begins with transition mornings for children joining Nursery. That gives settling a concrete starting point. In February 2023, children in early years played cooperatively, took turns and had secure relationships with adults, supporting their sense of safety and happiness.
Families can raise concerns with the class teacher, with the SEND coordinator arranging a discussion about next steps. Support follows an assess, plan, do, review cycle, with progress discussed each term. A One Page learner profile or Supporting Me to Learn Plan can identify the adjustments and targets a child needs. Parents contribute to those decisions, so support connects home and school rather than stopping at the classroom door.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal admissions process. Wakefield residents use the council’s Common Application Form; families living elsewhere apply through their home local authority. For the 2027/28 round, the normal primary deadline is 15 January 2027.
Attendance does confer a specific, limited priority for that round. Children who have attended the Academy’s Lower Foundation Stage at application sit in the fifth oversubscription category, after the care, catchment and sibling categories, ahead of other children considered by distance. Priority is not an offer.
Transition support is separate from allocation. Summer transition sessions let children spend time with their next class teacher, with extra sessions arranged where needed. Current and receiving teachers also discuss children’s SEND needs, helping support continue between classes.
Flexible nursery hours can be used between 7:30am and 5:30pm. The universal entitlement is 15 hours; eligible working parents can claim up to 15 additional hours. Provision beyond 30 hours is also offered, and paid provision is available to families who do not qualify for the extended entitlement. Contact the office for current charges.
A parent agreement is required for both universal and extended hours and must be completed in the term before the child starts. Plan that paperwork alongside childcare arrangements.
Visits with your child are welcomed, offering a chance to see the facilities and meet staff. General enquiries can go through the school’s contact form or office at enquiries@horburybridge.enhanceacad.org.uk.
The EYFS combines play and active learning with adult-led activities. The Curiosity Approach uses real objects and natural materials to encourage investigation.
Flexible hours can be used between 7:30am and 5:30pm.
There are 15 universal hours, with up to 15 additional hours for working parents who meet the eligibility criteria. A parent agreement must be completed in the term before starting.
No. A separate application is required. For 2027/28, Lower Foundation Stage attendance gives fifth-category oversubscription priority, but no guarantee. The normal primary application deadline is 15 January 2027.
Children joining Nursery have transition mornings. Families can also discuss additional needs with staff before starting so support can be planned.
