Chichester Nursery School

About Chichester Nursery School

Chichester Nursery School is a state-funded nursery for children aged three to five, currently educating 138 pupils. While the school’s capacity figure is not available in the data, the fact that it operates as a standalone nursery rather than a reception class within a primary school suggests a focused early years setting. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is not provided, so it is difficult to compare directly with the national average, but the school sits within West Sussex, a local authority where only two out of four nurseries of this type hold an Outstanding rating. The school’s own most recent Ofsted inspection, an ungraded visit in June 2024, confirmed it “remains Good,” and there is no admission information in the data to indicate whether it is oversubscribed. The headteacher, Ruth Campbell, leads a mixed-gender intake with no religious character attached to the school.

Academically, the school’s most recent graded inspection took place in February 2015, when it was rated Outstanding overall, with top marks for early years provision, leadership and management, and overall effectiveness. However, the ungraded inspection in June 2024 judged that the school continues to be Good, with early years provision now rated Good, alongside leadership and management also at Good. This represents a drop from its previous Outstanding rating, though the school has held a Good rating across both its recent inspections. No exam results are available for this age group, as children at nursery level do not sit SATs or Progress 8 measures. The school does offer swimming as a sport, which is unusual for a nursery, and runs clubs including gardening, eco club, and book club, suggesting an emphasis on outdoor learning and environmental awareness from an early age.

Facilities include an outdoor playground, a sensory room, art studios, and a chapel, which is notable for a school with no religious character. The school has a strong SEND offer, with provisions for social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, physical disability, autistic spectrum disorder, and a resourced provision. This makes it a particularly suitable choice for families whose children require additional support in a mainstream nursery setting. The lack of admission data means it is unclear how competitive places are, but the school’s Good rating and broad SEND support suggest it is a practical option for local families in Chichester seeking a state-funded early years place with a focus on inclusive, play-based learning.

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