NEWS
Birmingham City Council Director of Families Sue Harrison hails Selly Oak Nursery School after Ofsted and UNICEF successes
A Birmingham City Council leader has praised Selly Oak Nursery School after a remarkable double success.
Sue Harrison, Director of Children and Families at Birmingham City Council, visited the nursery to help celebrate its fifth consecutive ‘outstanding’ report from Ofsted, and its success in clinching a Gold Rights Respecting Schools award from UNICEF.
The Director met Head Teacher, Yvonne James, Governors, staff and children and was given a tour of the site by Deputy Head Teacher Laura Foster.
She said: “Our Nursery Schools are the jewels in the crown of Birmingham’s education system. Nursery education is the first stage of learning and it’s so important that children get off to a great start because we want our Birmingham children to thrive. That thriving begins in early years.
She said: “Our Nursery Schools are the jewels in the crown of Birmingham’s education system. Nursery education is the first stage of learning and it’s so important that children get off to a great start because we want our Birmingham children to thrive. That thriving begins in early years.
Special visit: Birmingham City Council Director, Sue Harrison, learned all about the children’s UNICEF rights during a visit to Selly Oak Nursery School.
“Selly Oak’s Ofsted report demonstrates how well the staff know the children, as well as the exceptional governor support and the quality leadership the School has. It’s clear that children and families are at the heart of everything that takes place in the Nursery.”
This latest Ofsted report follows on from ‘outstanding’ ratings in 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2018. Inspectors praised the high expectations of leadership and staff, describing the School as a ‘happy place full of excited children who love to learn.’
The report highlighted how it provides ambitious standards of learning and teaching for 3 and 4-year-olds, particularly in key areas such as phonics, maths, PSED and SEND provision.
Mrs James said: “It’s an incredible achievement to be named ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted and obtain the Rights Respecting Gold award.
“It speaks to the commitment of our dedicated team, who work so hard to educate and care for our children.
“We strive to embrace the unique journey of our families through our values, which are equality, respect, confidence and courage.”
Selly Oak also joined other local authority Nursery Schools by achieving the Rights Respecting Gold award, after showing it has fully embedded children’s rights into its policies, practice and ethos.
A UNICEF assessor saw how pupils are taught their rights, such as the right to a name, clean water, education, shelter and play.
“I am so pleased that the Nursery is a Rights Respecting School. The children were telling me about their right to clean water and their eco warrior activities and it has been a pleasure to talk to them,” added the Director.