Guyhirn CofE VC Primary School Nursery Review

Songs, nursery rhymes and spoken language gave Guyhirn’s early years provision its clearest character at the November 2022 inspection. Nene Class is the school’s pre-school, housed within a building extended to accommodate it. There are 13 children in the pre-school. This is provision within a primary school, with its own class identity.

At the Ofsted inspection on 15 and 16 November 2022, early years provision was judged Outstanding. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision rather than a separately inspected nursery. The school describes its Christian values through compassion, peace, forgiveness, love, tolerance and respect, placing belonging and consideration for others within its educational aims.

Spoken language was a clear focus at the November 2022 inspection. Children in the early years joined enthusiastically in songs and nursery rhymes, with adults modelling speech for them to imitate. Those activities gave children opportunities to practise speaking through familiar sounds and words.

Learning also sits within a planned sequence. Subject leaders include the pre-school when considering how knowledge develops across the school, and staff examine planning together. For parents, the useful distinction is that pre-school learning forms part of that sequence rather than standing apart from it.

The school’s curriculum approach includes revisiting concepts children have struggled to grasp or remember and sharing that information with subsequent teachers. Staff discuss children’s learning as they change classes. This gives the next teaching team information about what needs another look, alongside what children already understand.

Nene Class has a pre-school leader and a pre-school assistant. Their responsibilities extend beyond classroom activities: the leader is also a deputy designated safeguarding lead, while the assistant holds a mental health lead role. These roles provide identifiable responsibilities within the team for welfare and emotional support.

Children in the early years were happy and became settled promptly in November 2022. Parents were also invited to join an actual phonics lesson, helping them use matching methods when supporting reading at home. That makes parent involvement practical, with an opportunity to see how the teaching works.

Across the school, arrangements for special educational needs and disabilities include smaller teaching groups, adapted learning materials and additional support both within and outside class. Staff work with families and external agencies, and a personalised curriculum may be used following professional advice. These are school-wide arrangements relevant to discussing a child’s individual needs.

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. Treat choosing Nene Class and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.

The pre-school is at High Road, Guyhirn, Wisbech, PE13 4ED. Enquiries can go to the school office on 01945 450247 or by email to office@guyhirn.cambs.sch.uk. Families are invited to visit during the school day, giving them an opportunity to discuss choosing the provision with the school.