Horbury Primary Academy Nursery Review

Reading routines and number play give Horbury Primary Academy’s nursery its clearest character. This is the nursery within the primary academy on Northfield Lane in Horbury, Wakefield. Its learning sits within the school’s early years provision, which Ofsted judged Good at the inspection on 13 and 14 December 2022. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Reading has a deliberate place in the nursery experience. In December 2022, reading in early years was carefully planned, with routines beginning in Nursery and continuing through the early years. For a young child, the useful feature is continuity: those first reading habits form part of a longer sequence of learning, rather than an isolated nursery activity.

At the December 2022 inspection, phonics teaching used the school’s early reading programme. Staff had all been trained to use it in the same way, giving children a consistent approach to learning. The programme and established reading routines provide concrete structure within the early years foundation stage, the nursery’s first phase of school learning.

Number learning takes a playful route. In December 2022, children developed early number understanding through exploration and play, encouraging curiosity while establishing foundations for later mathematical learning. Play has a teaching purpose here.

Curriculum continuity. In December 2022, some subjects did not connect early years learning securely with Year 1. Leaders were asked to bring early years into the relevant subject plans so that later teaching would build on children’s earlier learning. This matters beyond reading and mathematics: continuity needs to extend across the curriculum.

The team structure includes a primary special educational needs coordinator, shared between Horbury Primary Academy and Middlestown Primary Academy. This places a SEND coordination role within the wider staffing structure supporting the nursery’s school. For families whose child needs additional support, that is a relevant point of contact within the school team.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place at Horbury Primary Academy. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.

The educational connection is a different matter. Reading routines introduced in Nursery continue through early years, giving learning some continuity. That connection concerns teaching; it does not establish an admissions advantage. Families should keep the practical question of securing a school place separate from the nursery’s place within the school’s learning sequence.

The academy’s address is Northfield Lane, Horbury, Wakefield, WF4 5DW. Nursery enquiries can be directed to the school on 01924 263224 or by email to admin@horburyprimary.accordmat.org. These are school contact details, giving families a direct enquiry route to the academy that runs the provision.