The Richard Pate School in Cheltenham is tucked away on an 11-acre semi-rural site, where children can learn, play and grow within a tight-knit community and immersive landscape.
Founded in 1946 and situated in the Leckhampton area, it is an independent preparatory day school and nursery for both boys and girls. Children can attend the nursery, which has its own separate area within the school grounds, at ages three and four.
Nursery children can enjoy free flow between both inside and outside areas in a learning environment that specifically caters to their age and needs, where they can engage in a range of educational activities and play that aids problem-solving, imagination, confidence and fun.
We've rounded up seven reasons why your child might be suited to joining nursery at The Richard Pate School, from enrichment opportunities to adult-guided play, and its dedicated pastoral care for little ones.
A focus on kindness, manners and respect
Kindness is paramount at The Richard Pate School, and from the nursery stage children are taught about the importance of manners and respect for others. Nursery pupils are encouraged to share as they play, and start each day with a friendly 'good morning' to their peers and the staff.
During each term, children focus on a topic, which not only helps them to learn about the world around them, but also develops their communication skills.
Children are observed and assessed during their time at nursery, with a focus on their social and emotional skills.
Intuitive play and learning environments
Nursery children at The Richard Pate School benefit from free-flow access to both indoor and outdoor spaces, providing them with plenty of room to play and learn in ways that feel intuitive and fun. Outside, children can enjoy play equipment such as a slide, small climbing nets, sand boxes and trim-trails, and can even get stuck into messy play activities.
When indoors, pupils can play with toys, grow as creative thinkers with arts and crafts, and enjoy adult-led learning with phonics, numbers and storytime.
Nursery pupils are also able to explore the school's very own woodland, Minett's Wood, with guidance from staff. The three-acre area boasts tall, well-established trees and plenty of beautiful areas for children to find adventure in.
Enrichment opportunities to support early development
As well as having access to the beautiful learning environment of the on-site woodland, nursery children are able to participate in regular enrichment activities throughout the school year.
Enrichment opportunities can sometimes be linked to the wider school curriculum, but also include national events and ties to the nursery topics that the children explore each term.
Children learn to be kind to the planet with Environment Day, enjoy an inspirational visit from the local fire station, revel in the magic of reading with World Book Day, and also benefit from trips within the local community, including theatre shows.
Though the nursery is located within its own area of the school grounds, enrichment opportunities also allow them to explore areas like the Astro pitch, music centre and other facilities available within the main school.
A key person for every child's pastoral care
Pastoral care caters to every individual child at The Richard Pate nursery. Each pupil is supported by a key person who assesses and supports their individual needs and as they learn and progress.
With children able to self-choose how they play and learn throughout the day, they are encouraged and supported to learn from mistakes and develop their confidence and self-esteem.
Good behaviour and kindness is rewarded with praise, stickers and certificates to motivate young learners, while dedicated circle time during each school day teaches pupils about the nursery rules, helping children to understand right from wrong and be a good friend to others.
Children with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) also receive extra support and intervention when needed to aid their learning.
Regular inspections of Educational Quality and Compliance
The Richard Pate School and its nursery is registered with the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) and is regularly assessed under the same criteria as those used for OFSTED inspections.
Its latest inspection took place in June 2024 and evaluated both its Educational Quality and Compliance. The school passed in all areas, with the report highlighting strengths under Leadership, Management and Governance; Quality of Education, Training and Recreation; Pupils’ Physical and Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing; and Pupils’ Social and Economic Education and Contribution to Society.
Inspections take place every three years, providing parents and carers with insight into how the nursery and school operates, and peace of mind that their child is getting the education and emotional support they need to learn and thrive.
After School Club for working parents and carers
The nursery remains open after the typical school day ends for an After School Club, which runs from 4pm to 5.30pm in term time, Monday to Friday.
Children enjoy an additional snack and a drink provided by the school, and are able to continue their play within the nursery area. Ideal for working parents unable to make the usual 3.30pm closing time, the club allows children to continue socialising and having fun under the care of the staff while adults wrap up up their own working days before a later pick-up time.
Preparing children for life beyond nursery
Children are prepared for life beyond the nursery stage through their educational focus topics each term, and the life-skills they come to learn, as well as its focus on kindness and respect.
SoGlos interviewed The Richard Pate School's headteacher, Sam Morgan, who said of the school's strengths: 'The majority of our children join in nursery and, from the age of three, we aim to instil a joy of learning that follows them throughout their time with us and beyond.'
They went on to add: 'An undeniable strength of the school is the way in which it supports each individual child. Keeping pupils with class teachers for core subjects, but also having brilliant specialist teachers, means that they are so well known as learners.'
Children who progress to the Pre-Prep department within The Richard Pate school are eased into the next stage of learning gently, and are still able to benefit from a high degree of individual attention.
To find out more information, visit richardpate.co.uk/nursery.
