Hadrian Park Primary School Nursery Review

Woodland Wednesdays and a story bell give Hadrian Park’s nursery its own rhythm: muddy exploration in the school forest, then stories woven through the day. The provision includes Hadrian’s Den for two-year-olds and school Nursery for children aged three and four, within Hadrian Park Primary School in Wallsend.

Children can begin in the term following their second birthday. Hadrian’s Den continues until the September following their third birthday, with school Nursery then lasting one academic year. The former playgroup room has been enlarged, giving the younger and older nursery groups their own settings within the school provision.

Exploration alternates with short group activities. A typical morning includes a register, an active routine, literacy and maths, with indoor and outdoor play between them. Snack punctuates the session. For children staying all day, lunch is followed by outdoor exploration; the afternoon brings further play, a group activity and the story bell at 3pm. This is a day with repeated opportunities to move, talk and return to shared learning.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) puts communication, physical development and emotional and social development first. In parent terms, the emphasis is on talking, moving and learning to manage feelings and relationships. Literacy, maths, creative expression and discovering the world extend that foundation.

HPPS WISER gives this curriculum a named approach. Words, interactions, stories, the learning environment, and rhymes and songs shape the activities, with resources that children can use in different ways rather than for one fixed task. Stories provide a starting point for exploration.

Helicopter Stories makes children’s own ideas part of the action. An adult transcribes a child’s story, which the group then performs on a stage marked out with tape. Listening, speaking and imaginative play come together in one activity. Nursery children also encounter preparatory skills for Read Write Inc, rather than simply beginning its full taught programme.

Outdoor learning has a concrete destination: the school forest. Woodland Wednesdays involve muddy visits, while daily physical challenges feature in the nursery routine. PE takes place on Thursday mornings and Friday afternoons, giving movement a place alongside freely chosen exploration.

Snack breaks have practical support behind them. Children under five receive milk free of charge, early-years pupils receive free fruit snacks, and water is accessible throughout the day. For families, those arrangements cover drinks and fruit during the session.

Across the school, SEND support can begin with a parent’s concern or a teacher’s observation, with SENCO involvement in assessment. Support is reviewed with families, and speech and language services, health professionals or educational psychologists can contribute when needed. Termly review meetings and learning plans developed with parents give families a role in deciding and reviewing support.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through North Tyneside Council’s online school application route; applications close in January. Treat that application as a separate task, even while your child is attending Hadrian’s Den or Nursery.

The learning connection is distinct from admission. Nursery introduces skills that prepare children for the later Read Write Inc programme. That provides continuity in learning, rather than an entitlement to a school place.

Morning sessions run from 8:30am to 11:30am. Both Hadrian’s Den and school Nursery offer morning or afternoon patterns of 15 hours, alongside 30-hour provision. Eligibility matters: the nursery’s 30-hour entitlement is conditional on qualifying. Families can check their childcare entitlement through the Government Childcare service.

To join the waiting list, complete the nursery waiting-list form or contact the school office at info@hadrianparkprimary.org.uk or 0191 917 0900. For Woodland Wednesdays, children need wellies and a puddle suit. PE clothing can be school uniform or plain navy sports clothing with comfortable trainers. If collection is delayed, contact the office promptly; children waiting for late collection are taken to the Main Office front desk.