Pippins Pre-School at Flyford Flavell Primary School

At the November 2021 inspection, phonics began in Nursery here, giving Pippins Pre-School a clear connection to early reading. This is the nursery provision at Flyford Flavell Primary School, on Radford Road in Flyford Flavell. Pippins has its own labelled space within the school layout, alongside classrooms and shared facilities. Its identity is part of the primary school’s everyday life.

Reading provides the clearest picture of learning. At the November 2021 inspection, Ofsted found that phonics began in Nursery and that adults read aloud to children from Nursery onwards. Children therefore encounter both the sounds used to build words and stories shared by adults. These are complementary experiences: practising sounds has a purpose, while listening to books gives children something to enjoy together.

At that inspection, mathematics followed a planned sequence beginning in Nursery and continuing through the school. In November 2021, teaching included checks on understanding to establish whether children needed further practice or a harder task. The early years curriculum identified the knowledge children should acquire in each subject. For parents, the useful distinction is that learning has a planned direction, rather than being a collection of unrelated activities.

The school grounds include a Forest School area, a playground and a shelter; indoors, the layout identifies a library and a hall used for lunch, PE and assemblies. These give the physical context around Pippins. Alongside the curriculum’s planning, there was a school-wide concern in November 2021: subject leaders needed to check delivery more closely because plans were sometimes implemented unevenly.

Support involves teachers, learning assistants and the special educational needs coordinator (SENDCo). Across the school, staff use observations, assessment and children’s feedback to identify needs. Parents are invited to discuss the next steps when a child needs help beyond the usual classroom adaptations. That makes conversation with the teaching team part of the support process.

For children needing additional SEND provision, the school’s Graduated Approach uses an individualised provision map. It records needs, intended outcomes and interventions, drawing on family input and, where appropriate, outside professionals such as speech and language support. Formal reviews take place at three points in the year, with parents contributing. Support can then continue or change according to the child’s response.

Food brought into school must follow the nut-free rules introduced in September 2024. The restrictions also cover sesame rolls and houmous containing tahini. Families packing food need to check ingredients, rather than considering nuts alone.

Attending Pippins does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal local authority process, meeting the deadline announced by Worcestershire County Council. The route is the LA School Admission Application Form PA1, which can be submitted online or returned to school. Treat nursery attendance and the Reception application as separate decisions; familiarity with the school does not itself secure admission.

The school office can be contacted on 01386 462228 or at office@flyfordflavell.worcs.sch.uk. There is also a contact form for questions. Parents can telephone to arrange a school visit and a meeting with the headteacher, giving families a direct way to meet the team before making their choice.