Helen Gibson Nursery School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 16 June 2026

Children arrive happy and smiling at this caring and welcoming school. Children are supported by staff and leaders who know them well. Children feel a sense of belonging from the moment they start. It means they attend well and make the most of the school’s curriculum and wider opportunities. Leaders and staff uphold high expectations for children’s behaviour. Children are carefully and considerately taught how to be kind, play well with each other and get along. They work and play together demonstrating kindness and respect to all. The school’s work on fostering independence and resilience is ever present. Children go about daily tasks with ease. For example, they take pride in helping prepare snack for their friends when they are the group leader for the day. It helps them achieve the school’s ambitions such as being a good friend and being confident. Children make a bright start to their learning journey. Children, starting in the provision for 2-year-olds, play, explore and become learners who are inquisitive. Children engage positively with the school’s ambitious curriculum. Most staff ensure that children make the most of their learning opportunities. Interactions with staff help children practise their skills across the early years foundation stage areas of learning. As a result, children enjoy their learning. It helps them to be well prepared for their next stage of education. Children delight in the school’s wider enrichment opportunities. Weekly planned outdoor learning in the on-site forest as well as new initiatives, such as yoga, help children learn in different ways.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should continue to develop and embed consistently high-quality interactions between adults and children so that children can make the most of planned learning activities and develop detailed skills and knowledge.
• Governors should ensure that they continue to embed approaches that enable them to provide robust challenge and support to the school across all areas of its work.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)