Houghton Le Spring Nursery School, Houghton le Spring
Houghton Le Spring Nursery School is a nursery school for pupils aged 3 to 5 in Houghton le Spring. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in October 2014. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in February 2025 did not change this grade.
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2014)
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Houghton Le Spring Nursery School in detail
What parents say
31 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Houghton Le Spring Nursery School (as of September 2025): 87% would recommend the school, 94% say their child is happy there and 0% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (97%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (0%).
Who goes there
In 2026, 0 pupils (0%) received SEN support and 0 (0%) had an education, health and care plan.
Getting there
There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Houghton Le Spring Nursery School.
13 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Lake Road (w-bound), 100 metres away.
Sources: Ofsted Parent View; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport)
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoThis judgement is from October 2014, 12 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Latest (ungraded) inspection: Standards have been maintained.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's February 2025 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
This nursery creates a magical learning environment where children thrive emotionally and academically. Staff are highly trained and know every child exceptionally well, tailoring support to help them progress in all areas of learning. The school excels at helping children become confident, independent learners who are wonderfully prepared for their next steps in education.
Key Strengths
- Exceptional support for children with SEND, including use of Makaton and visual prompts, with strong inclusive provision
- Expert development of children's communication and language through meaningful conversations and carefully selected stories
- Excellent personal, social and emotional development support, with patient adults helping children manage their feelings and behaviour
- Regular outdoor learning experiences including visits to parks, farms, forest areas and the coast to build confidence and resilience
- Strong partnership with parents who feel welcomed and valued as part of the school community
Areas for Improvement
- A small number of parents feel communication with the school could be strengthened
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with robust procedures and staff training in place to protect all children including those with significant medical needs.
Extracurricular Activities
Visits to local parks, community farms, forest areas, coastal learning
Houghton Le Spring Nursery School has successfully maintained the outstanding standards from its previous inspection. Leaders and staff are highly ambitious, providing a carefully tailored curriculum with exceptional support for all children, particularly those with special educational needs.
At a Glance
0.0%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
Yes
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
31 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby nursery schools
Keep up with Houghton Le Spring Nursery School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Houghton Le Spring Nursery School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Houghton Le Spring Nursery School is in Sunderland; for families living there:
Apply to Sunderland for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 16
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 4
- Children hurt
- 6
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 16 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 4 serious and 12 slight.
6 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot, 2 on a bicycle and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise.
6 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Sunderland is 13 (the median across 125 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Capacity & Demand
Area Demand Pressure - Houghton le Spring
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Houghton le Spring
Across Sunderland council
Places available
3,305
Applications
2,921
Got 1st preference
92.9%
Got preferred school
97.9%
All secondary applications across Sunderland council (2026/27), not just this school.
Inspection History(7)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
0
SEN Support
0
EHC Plans
0.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
No need-level breakdown available
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
142
Total Pupils
78
Boys
64
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
4
Teachers
35.5:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£48,083
Mean salary
2026 data
Questions parents ask about Houghton Le Spring Nursery School
What is Houghton Le Spring Nursery School's Ofsted rating?
Houghton Le Spring Nursery School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in February 2025, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in October 2014, it was rated Outstanding.
What is the catchment area for Houghton Le Spring Nursery School?
No fixed boundary. When Houghton Le Spring Nursery School is oversubscribed, Sunderland allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
How many pupils go to Houghton Le Spring Nursery School?
Houghton Le Spring Nursery School has around 142 pupils on roll.
How do I apply to Houghton Le Spring Nursery School?
Apply through Sunderland's coordinated admissions process, naming Houghton Le Spring 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.
How many road collisions happen near Houghton Le Spring Nursery School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 16 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 4 serious and 12 slight. 6 children aged 0 to 15 were hurt: 2 on foot, 2 on a bicycle and 2 in a vehicle or otherwise. 6 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Sunderland is 13 (the median across 125 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Houghton Le Spring Nursery School?
Houghton Le Spring Nursery School is at Neasham Place, Houghton le Spring, Tyne and Wear, DH5 8AE.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)