Headington Quarry Nursery School

  • Nursery
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 2 to 5
Ofsted: Outstanding

Quarry School Place, Headington, Oxford, OX3 8LHOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Headington Quarry Nursery School is a nursery school in Oxford for ages 2 to 5. It is one of the 359 schools in Oxfordshire. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in May 2015.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 20 May 2015, report published 15 June 2015

Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Early years provision
Outstanding

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 2 July 2024

Children have an excellent start to their education at this inclusive and welcoming school. The vibrant community environment ignites children's curiosity, fostering an irresistible enthusiasm for learning. Children love coming to school. They thrive because their needs are met exceptionally well. The school is a happy place where children feel safe and secure. The staff have clear expectations and ensure that all children achieve highly. Children's behaviour is exemplary. They learn to be kind to one another and behave sensibly. Staff maximise opportunities to develop children's language, speech and communication through engaging in high-quality conversations. The school uses a nearby woodland area really well to enhance the meaningful and deliberate links within the curriculum that help children learn about the awe and wonder of nature. For example, children learn about different seasons, minibeasts and fire safety around the campfire. Staff know children and their families exceptionally well. Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the school. They value the care and support that ensure children enjoy coming to school. One parent summed this up by saying: 'The staff here are fantastic; they go above and beyond to ensure my child is happy, safe and achieves his learning potential.'

Pupil numbers and mix

82 pupils on roll

Eligible for free school meals3.7%

3.7%, 22.8 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language31.7%

31.7%, 10.1 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support13.4%

13.4%, 1.4 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan3.7%

3.7%, 2.3 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Headington Quarry Nursery School

SchoolDistanceOfsted
Slade Nursery School0.4 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standard
Comper Nursery School2 milesOfsted: Good
Wheatley Nursery School2 milesOfsted: Good
Grandpont Nursery School3 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standard
Lydalls Nursery School10 milesOfsted: Good

School details

School type
Local authority nursery school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
2 to 5
Gender
Mixed
Headteacher
Natalie Wilson
Address
Quarry School Place, Headington, Oxford, OX3 8LH
Local authority
Oxfordshire
URN
122968

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.