School where 'children arrive full of smiles' praised by Ofsted

Staghills Nursery School pupils, from left, Amelie, Anuerin and Ruben
-Credit:Staghills Nursery School


Ofsted inspectors said children at a Lancashire nursery school arrive "full of smiles". A new report has praised the work undertaken at Staghills Nursery School, Newchurch.

The school, on Top Barn Lane, was last given a full inspection in December 2019 when it was rated ‘outstanding’, and, although the framework has now changed and no classifications are given, the report says: “Staghills Nursery School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.”

In December, the school was visited by lead inspector Victoria Burnside and inspector Nicky Corfield. Their report says: “Children take part in learning activities with gusto. Staff help them to play and investigate in well-equipped classrooms and outdoor areas. Over time, children become independent and resilient learners.”

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Staff were described by inspectors as being strong role models and highly skilled at engaging the children to talk. The inspectors noted that the school had taken decisive action to review and revise its curriculum and that staff had benefited from high-quality training.

There have been several changes at the Lancashire County Council maintained nursery school, not least the appointment of Andrea Cooper, who is now Executive Headteacher at Staghills Nursery School and Bacup Nursery School.

Mrs Cooper said: “I first started supporting Staghills in 2023 and then, from June 1 last year, the two nursery schools collaborated and I took up the role of Executive Headteacher at both. The collaboration is very forward thinking and it has been a positive experience for both schools and we now have a joint committee with governors from both Staghills and Bacup.

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“I was delighted that the inspectors informed me how positive parents' comments had been about the nursery school and I would like to thank them for their support.”

Mrs Cooper said action had already been taken on improving attendance and parents had been made aware of how it impacts on their children’s learning.

And she added: “My own strong moral purpose is that, as a nursery school, it is our job to prepare these children for their next stage of education so that they can start their primary years with a strong foundation of learning. The Governors have been really supportive of the changes we have made and the improvements and the rationale behind why it was necessary to make those changes."

The nursery school currently has 93 children on roll from birth to four with additional places available.

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