Newburn Manor Nursery School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 8 June 2022

Staff at Newburn Manor Nursery School have high aspirations for all children. Highly positive relationships between staff and children create an environment where all children can thrive. As a result, they settle quickly and demonstrate extremely positive attitudes to learning. Parents and carers speak extremely highly about the partnerships between home and school. They feel welcome and comment on the high levels of support that staff provide. Children of all ages demonstrate outstanding behaviours. Leaders have established clear and consistent behaviour expectations. Staff expertly support children to recognise and manage their emotions. Using the well-loved school puppets, Dossie and Kwame, staff model expected behaviours highly effectively. Children play well with their friends. With support from adults, they learn to deal with any disagreements and develop a resilient approach to learning. Using a variety of high-quality picture books, adults skilfully introduce children to important concepts such as disability and diversity. Children learn to celebrate similarities and differences between themselves and others. Staff grasp moments to develop children's interest and curiosity. Whether looking at the dew on spiders' webs, watching caterpillars turn into butterflies or tasting vegetables from the allotment, children demonstrate a fascination for the world around them.

What the school should improve

• The learning activities that children access during periods of free play do not support the ambitious curriculum objectives effectively. Teaching assistants do not have a consistent understanding of the learning intentions behind these activities. This means that there are missed opportunities to develop children's learning. Leaders should ensure that all adults understand how to develop the planned knowledge and vocabulary in each area of learning.
• Adults do not link assessment sharply to the small steps of learning that support children's progress across the curriculum. This means that observations are too general and do not identify the most important gaps in learning. Leaders should ensure that teachers align assessment closely to the intended learning outcomes and that this contributes effectively to children's progress and next steps.
• The chair of governors has improved systems for governors to hold leaders to account. However, these are in the early stages of development. As a result, most governors do not have a secure understanding of the quality of education in the school. They do not fulfil their support and challenge roles effectively. The chair of governors should ensure that all members of the governing body have the knowledge and training they need to carry out their roles effectively.

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