Moorgate Nursery School

About Moorgate Nursery School

Moorgate Nursery School is a state-funded nursery in Lancashire, serving just 37 children aged three to five under headteacher Gianna Walsh. In a local authority with 24 nursery schools, only eight hold an Outstanding rating from Ofsted, placing Moorgate in a competitive landscape where top-performing peers include those that have achieved that highest grade. The school itself was rated Good overall in its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2023, a change from its previous Outstanding rating in 2013. Despite the overall downgrade, inspectors awarded Outstanding marks for personal development and for behaviour and attitudes, suggesting the school continues to excel in supporting children's social and emotional growth. Leadership and management, along with the quality of education, were both rated Good. This places Moorgate as a solid, well-regarded option within Lancashire's nursery sector, though parents seeking the very highest Ofsted grade may want to compare it directly with the eight Outstanding nurseries nearby.

Academically, as a nursery school Moorgate does not publish standardised test scores like Key Stage 2 SATs or Progress 8 measures, so direct academic comparisons with primary or secondary schools are not possible. The focus instead is on early years provision, where Ofsted's 2023 inspection found the quality of education to be Good. The school's personal development rating of Outstanding indicates strong support for children's broader growth, including their confidence and independence. With only 37 pupils, class sizes are very small, allowing for high levels of individual attention. The school's SEND provisions cover Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social Emotional and Mental Health needs, Speech Language and Communication needs, and Autistic Spectrum Disorder, making it a potentially strong fit for children requiring additional early years support. Parents should note that without published academic outcomes, the primary measure of quality here is the Ofsted report itself.

Moorgate offers a range of facilities including a Forest School, sensory room, dining hall, art studios, and a chapel, alongside sports such as gymnastics and swimming. Clubs include gardening and art club, providing varied enrichment for young children. As a state nursery, it is free at the point of use for eligible families, and its small roll suggests it may be oversubscribed in the local area. The school is mixed and non-religious, with no boarding provision. This setting would suit families who value a nurturing early years environment with strong pastoral care and SEND support, particularly those whose children might benefit from the sensory room or Forest School activities. Parents should check current admission arrangements directly with Lancashire County Council, as nursery places are often allocated separately from primary school admissions.

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