Bentilee Nursery School has closed (Monday 31 August 2026).
The information below is kept for reference.
Bentilee Nursery School, Stoke-on-Trent
Bentilee Nursery School is a nursery school for pupils aged 2 to 4 in Stoke-on-Trent. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in November 2012. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in July 2025 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2012)
Data last updated 8 Oct 2026
Bentilee Nursery School in detail
What parents say
14 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Bentilee Nursery School (as of September 2025): 100% would recommend the school, 100% say their child is happy there and 100% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (100%); the weakest, that pupils behave well (93%).
Who goes there
13.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 32.7% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.
The largest ethnic groups are White British (56%), Black (17%) and other ethnic groups (6%).
In 2026, 12 pupils (23.1%) received SEN support and 0 (0%) had an education, health and care plan. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Platform 1, about 1.6 miles away in a straight line.
10 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Devonshire Square (opposite), 30 metres away.
The area around the school
Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Bentilee Nursery School stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.
Sources: Ofsted Parent View; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoThis judgement is from November 2012, 13 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's July 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
Bentilee Nursery School creates a wonderfully nurturing environment where your child will be happy, safe and secure. The school offers an exciting, ambitious curriculum with enrichment activities like dinosaur workshops and visits from the animal man, while prioritising early language development through stories, songs and rhymes. Staff have high expectations, help children develop independence and cooperate well with each other, and provide special support for children with additional needs.
Key Strengths
- Children behave well and develop strong independence through daily routines and self-care activities
- Early language and communication is prioritised with songs, rhymes, stories and engagement throughout the day
- Curriculum design carefully considers personal development with rich opportunities for physical activity, messy play and gardening
- The school swiftly identifies children with SEND and provides timely, effective support
- Strong connections with families who value the school's work immensely
Areas for Improvement
- Staffing changes have led to inconsistencies in curriculum delivery and some children not receiving consistent support for learning
- The school should develop staff knowledge and understanding to ensure the curriculum is delivered consistently and effectively for all children
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective with a strong culture that prioritises children's interests and safety.
Extracurricular Activities
Dinosaur workshop, visits from the animal man, gardening activities in the investigation garden, local area walks, religious festival celebrations
Bentilee Nursery School is a nurturing environment where children are very happy and settle quickly. The school has a carefully designed, exciting curriculum that supports children's learning well, though recent staffing changes have affected consistency in delivery.
At a Glance
13.5%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
14 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 1 nearby nursery school
Keep up with Bentilee Nursery School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Bentilee Nursery School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Bentilee Nursery School is in Stoke-on-Trent; for families living there:
- Stoke-on-Trent's school travel policy: School transport
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
Area Demand Pressure - Stoke-on-Trent
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Stoke-on-Trent
Across Stoke-on-Trent council
Places available
3,140
Applications
3,223
Got 1st preference
88.5%
Got preferred school
97.0%
All secondary applications across Stoke-on-Trent council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(7)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
12
SEN Support
0
EHC Plans
23.1%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
52
Total Pupils
25
Boys
27
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
2
Teachers
26.0:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
2026 data
Questions parents ask about Bentilee Nursery School
What is Bentilee Nursery School's Ofsted rating?
Bentilee Nursery School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in July 2025, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in November 2012, it was rated Outstanding.
What is the catchment area for Bentilee Nursery School?
No fixed boundary. When Bentilee Nursery School is oversubscribed, Stoke-on-Trent allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How many pupils go to Bentilee Nursery School?
Bentilee Nursery School has around 52 pupils on roll. 14% are eligible for free school meals.
How do I apply to Bentilee Nursery School?
Apply through Stoke-on-Trent's coordinated admissions process, naming Bentilee Nursery School on your application. The national closing date in England is 31 October for secondary places and 15 January for primary places, in the year before your child starts.
Where is Bentilee Nursery School?
Bentilee Nursery School is at Dawlish Drive, Bentilee, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST2 0HW.