Earlham Nursery School, Norwich

Ofsted's report card from its 21 April 2026 inspection grades Earlham Nursery School on 6 areas: 1 strong standard and 5 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Leaders have developed a coherent and appropriate programme to support the personal development of all children."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Overall, children form the foundations for future learning."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders and staff set clear expectations for regular attendance."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders and staff have developed a comprehensive curriculum."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Staff quickly develop an accurate understanding of children's needs."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders, including governors, have a clear and accurate understanding of the school's strengths and priorities for improvement."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that highly-effective teaching consistently maximises opportunities to support the progress of all children, particularly disadvantaged children and those who speak English as an additional language, during less structured sessions"; "Leaders and staff should continue to deepen their understanding of the range of barriers faced by different groups, particularly those who speak English as an additional language, so that actions to improve attendance make a sustainable improvement"; "Leaders and governors should ensure effective monitoring of the use of pupil premium funding so that the impact of funded work informs future planning"; "Leaders should continue to support staff to embed the school's curriculum, particularly mathematics, and its approach to assessment".

In its own words: "We create an inclusive, welcoming and nurturing environment built on trusting and respectful relationships in which children, families and staff have a sense of belonging. We ensure that our children and families feel valued, accepted and understood by supporting and celebrating their unique individual strengths, needs and interests."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Earlham Nursery School. The Nursery School has been part of the Larkman community for over 80 years, and continues to provide outstanding education and care to the children and families within our community. We have a dedicated staff team who provide the children with an exciting and motivating curriculum which is planned to include children's interests and fascinations."

0% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, and 32.1% speak English as an additional language, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (53%), Black (15%) and Asian (10%).

In 2026, 0 pupils (0%) received SEN support and 0 (0%) had an education, health and care plan.

Earlham Nursery School has a SEN unit for autism, social, emotional and mental health needs, multi-sensory impairment, moderate learning difficulties and severe learning difficulties: 10 places, 10 pupils on roll.

The nearest railway station is Norwich Rail Station, about 2.6 miles away in a straight line.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Cadge Road (adjacent), 190 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Earlham Nursery School stands in is among the 10% most deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 178 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and other theft. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Norfolk (28), as is usual near a town centre.