Basnett Street Nursery School

About Basnett Street Nursery School

Basnett Street Nursery School is a state nursery in Burnley, Lancashire, for children aged three to five, and it stands out from the local average in a notable way. While the local authority of Lancashire has 8 outstanding-rated nurseries out of 24 total, Basnett Street itself was rated Good in its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2025. However, its previous inspection in 2013 awarded it an Outstanding grade, meaning the school has moved from the top tier to a still-strong Good rating. This places it among the majority of local nurseries that are not currently outstanding, but its history suggests a consistently high standard. The school is led by headteacher Lindsay Ingham and has 103 pupils on roll. For parents comparing options, this is a solid, well-regarded choice that has held a strong reputation over time, even if it no longer holds the highest possible Ofsted grade.

Academically, as a nursery, Basnett Street does not have the same measurable outcomes as primary or secondary schools, so there are no Progress 8 or KS2 SATs scores to compare against the Lancashire average. Instead, the most relevant indicator of quality is the Ofsted breakdown. In its 2025 inspection, the school received Good for quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management, but Outstanding for personal development. This suggests that while the core teaching is solid, the school particularly excels at helping children grow socially and emotionally. Parent feedback is overwhelmingly positive: 100% of the 18 respondents would recommend the school, and 83% strongly agreed that their child is happy and feels safe. This level of satisfaction is unusually high and gives a clear picture of a nursery that parents trust.

The school offers a range of facilities including a sensory room, library, dining hall, and chapel, which is unusual for a nursery and suggests a thoughtful approach to early years development. Sports include gymnastics, dance, and swimming, and there is an art club available. For children with additional needs, the school provides support for moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication issues, multi-sensory impairment, and physical disability. The nearest outstanding nursery is Stoneyholme Nursery School, 1.5 km away, so families in Burnley have a strong local alternative if they are specifically seeking an outstanding rating. Basnett Street is best suited to families who want a well-regarded, community-focused nursery with excellent personal development and a proven track record of making children feel safe and happy.

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