Highfield Nursery School

About Highfield Nursery School

Highfield Nursery School sits within Birmingham local authority, one of 27 state nursery schools in the area. Of those, 17 hold an Outstanding rating from Ofsted, including Adderley Nursery School just one kilometre away. Highfield itself was rated Outstanding at its last graded inspection in 2014, but its most recent ungraded inspection in November 2023 judged the school as Good overall and noted it is improving. The school is led by headteacher Sharon Lewis and caters for children aged 0 to 5, with 159 pupils on roll. Just over 23 per cent of children are eligible for free school meals, which is a useful indicator of the school's inclusive intake. The school's facilities include a Forest School, a Sensory Room, art studios and a chapel, and it offers dance as a sporting activity alongside an Eco Club.

Academically, Highfield Nursery School's most recent graded inspection in 2014 awarded top marks across the board: leadership and management, early years provision and overall effectiveness were all rated 1 (Outstanding). The 2023 ungraded inspection confirmed the school remains Good and is improving, though no new graded judgements were issued for individual categories. As a nursery school, Highfield does not participate in KS2 SATs or produce a Progress 8 score, so direct academic comparisons with primary or secondary schools are not possible. However, the school's strong early years provision is a clear strength. Birmingham's local authority has a high concentration of outstanding nursery schools, and Highfield's previous Outstanding rating places it among the top tier locally, even if its current official label is Good. Parents looking for evidence of quality should note the school's consistent track record across two inspections spanning nearly a decade.

For families considering Highfield, the school offers a broad range of SEND provisions, including support for autistic spectrum disorder, speech, language and communication needs, hearing and visual impairments, physical disabilities and social, emotional and mental health needs. This makes it a strong option for children requiring additional support from an early age. The school is a state nursery, so it is free at the point of use for eligible families, and its mixed gender, non-religious character means it welcomes children from all backgrounds. Birmingham is a large and diverse city, and Highfield's location within it means it serves a local community with a significant proportion of children on free school meals. The school's Forest School and sensory room are distinctive facilities that support outdoor learning and sensory development. Oversubscription data is not available, but given the limited number of nursery places in the area, early application is advisable.

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