Expert staff
Our team of specialist teachers are here to provide an inspiring beginning to an NGHS education. We start small and aim high.
An extraordinary team
Our Nursery & Pre-School is led by a specialist Early Years qualified teacher, Miss Duce, supported by our experienced Early Years Teaching Assistant, Mrs Spray.
Miss Emma Duce – Early Years Teacher Status, QTS Primary with EYFS Specialism, NPQ Early Years Leadership
“With over 20 years of experience in the Early Years I truly believe that these are the most important years in a child’s development and I thrive on the fact that I am helping to shape each and every girl. The girls in my Nursery and Pre-School class are confident, curious learners and excel in all they do. My passion is focusing on the process of learning and each individual product. Children learn many skills that are tailored to their own specific needs as they take part in a range of learning experiences. These are the successes that are celebrated, rather than the end result. I have a love of promoting early reading, ensuring children are exposed to many different types of stories and books as well our tailored phonics program. I enjoy supporting children’s speech and language, early mathematical development and offering challenge, and I absolutely love messy play and getting stuck in with the children!”
Mrs Rachel Spray, Early Years Teaching Assistant
“Throughout my life I have always been around young children and my career in schools and nurseries has spanned thirty four years. I am excited by the opportunities we create here at NGHS, that extend the girls’ independence and individual learning. My strength is finding ways for them to express themselves through creative experiences and building on the knowledge they bring with them when starting with us. I relish getting to know the girls deeply and therefore being able to tailor their learning to their specific needs. The experiences we all share build strong, positive and confident girls and it excites me to see their personalities develop throughout the EYFS stage and further into the wider school community. I believe the wealth of my experience, has enabled me to give the girls in my care a holistic focus and become the best that they can be.”
As a team, they engage the girls in activities to improve their skills and grow their confidence, ensuring they are ready for the step up to Reception when the time comes.
A creative learning journey
Specialist teachers deliver additional activities in the afternoons, including Forest School, Food Technology, Sport, Music, Woodwork and Languages. A unique blend to set our youngest learners on an exciting learning journey.
Our sessions
The staff who deliver these sessions are dedicated and enthusiastic, and extremely well qualified. They know their subjects and lending their expertise to our youngest girls is a brilliant way to initiate a lifelong love of learning.
Outdoor Learning
Outdoor Learning takes place in our onsite woodland, Upnah Wood. Your daughter will enjoy developing her gross motor skills, balance, resilience and hand-eye coordination on the trim trail as well as campfire activities such as toasting marshmallows under the safe and expert supervision of our Outdoor Learning staff.
Food Technology
Your daughter will create lots of tasty treats both sweet and savoury and we incorporate healthy options too. During this session the emphasis is on maths, physical development and exploring science through the changing of textures and the cooking process.
PE
This is led by our very own cricket coach and expert sports teacher. Your daughter will learn basic skills such as throwing and catching a ball, various ways of movement, cricket skills, team games, races as well as many other exciting things! Children enjoy PE in our wonderful sports hall, on the school field or the tennis courts.
Music
Girls enjoy fun and engaging music sessions which include movement, dance and singing. Mrs Bailey always delivers a fantastic and fun-filled weekly music session whilst incorporating educational learning. These sessions will link to our topic. Exposure to different musical instruments also begins to nurture an interest in making music, and we’ve seen this love of music grow and flourish as girls move up the school.
French
Using simple songs, greetings and puppetry, our Nursery girls are introduced to French. Your daughter will learn things like colours, numbers and names of animals. The best time to instill a love of languages is during these early years when the mind is at its most open and curious.
Woodwork
Pre-School children enjoy taking risk in a safe and secure environment with our Design and Technology teacher from the Senior School. Children work on a project over a series of weeks and are exposed to different tools and techniques, all under very close supervision.
Library Sessions
Each week, girls will visit the library and enjoy some stories read by our wonderful librarian. They will have the opportunity to choose a picture book to take home and share with the family.
Swimming
In the summer term, girls enjoy a weekly swimming session at our local swimming pool at the Djanogly Leisure Centre. They are encouraged to be independent in dressing and are supported in the pool by school staff. The sessions are led by qualified swimming instructors at the pool.
Dance
Children thrive in our weekly dance session with an experienced and dedicated dance teacher. Girls will learn basic ballet moves as well as learning to move in lots of different ways all set to music.
Our doors are always open
You’re more than welcome to visit our Nursery at a time that suits you. Contact Lesley Sail on 0115 935 4450 or email juniorenquiries@not.gdst.net to arrange a visit.
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