A North Hull primary school praised by OFSTED for its nurturing atmosphere is inviting children and their parents to come along and sample its “magical” early years play facilities this month.
Endike Primary Academy in Endike Lane, part of the David Ross Education Trust, a high performing multi-academy trust, offers education for young children from age 2 to 11. Its early years unit has provision for two-year-olds, a nursery for 3–4-year-olds and a reception class.
Endike is inviting prospective parents to come along with their toddlers and young children to sample a taste of life at the school, take part in activities and have a tour of the school at its Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) open afternoon on Tuesday 28 November, 3:30pm-5pm.
The school currently has places for two-year-olds and children can join its nursery in the term after they are three. It also has Reception places for September 2024.
The school was recently recognised as an Early Excellence Partner School and in its last Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Good overall with its “strong leadership team” praised for “securing an atmosphere where the nurture of pupils is combined effectively with high ambition for their achievements”.
The pupils’ academic achievements were also commended and it was noted that the “effective” teaching of phonics contributed to children “developing early reading skills well”.
Lower School Assistant Principal Helen Savage says the afternoon will be an opportunity for local parents to see and understand how the school’s focus on outdoor play complements the children’s successful learning.
Ms Savage, who is also Early Years Trust Lead at David Ross Education Trust, said:
“We have outstanding outdoor learning facilities at Endlike which include a woodland classroom where all EYFS children take lessons every week, an outdoor amphitheatre for performing, as well as ‘Adventure Island’ a magically themed outdoor learning environment for our early years pupils to explore with music, beach areas and willow tunnels into our woodland areas.
“We are in a city but we utilise the urban woodland on our grounds, which plays a huge part in our pupils’ learning. Once parents come here and see what we have to offer, they realise what a hidden gem we are.”
The school’s outdoor play facilities are themed like a storybook adventure to engage children in a world of spellbinding play, explained Ms Savage, with opportunities for the children to name parts of the play areas themselves such as the water area – ‘the wishy-washy stop’ and the mud kitchen – ‘the Magpie Café’.
“Everything is designed to stimulate the children’s imagination through play and promote a love of stories and adventure,” she added.
Natalie Morris, Endike Principal, urged parents who are looking at early years provision in the area for their children to come along and take a look at Endike, adding:
“Parents who are looking at Reception for September 2024 as well as parents who are looking for early years and nursery provision are all very welcome.
“Parents also have the beauty of their children being able to stay at Endike throughout their primary years.”
As part of a multi-academy trust, she explained Endike also benefits from the expertise and knowledge of all the schools in the trust, adding:
“Our team is part of a successful network of 34 schools that prides itself on providing a world-class education in a supportive environment where children and their education come first.”