Ofsted: OutstandingYou're hereBarnwell Academy
DH4 7RT · Nursery
Barnwell Academy
- Ofsted: Outstanding · Nov 2021
- HOUGHTON-LE-SPRING DH4
In short: a nursery in HOUGHTON-LE-SPRING, open since 2014, with room for 36 children. Ofsted last visited in November 2021. Nurseries publish far less than schools, so this page sticks to the facts we hold and what to ask on a visit.
Good to know
- Outstanding in all 4 areas at its last graded inspection.
- Registered with Ofsted, which last inspected it in November 2021.
- Room for 36 children at a time.
Worth checking
- Old grade. The Outstanding rating is from 2021.
- Little data. Nurseries publish far less than schools, so a visit matters more.
- OfstedOutstanding
- Places36children at a time
- Opened201412 years ago
Ofsted
What does Ofsted's early years grade mean?
Ofsted inspects every nursery on the early years register. Here's every visit we hold.
Every Ofsted visit
Choose a year to see the visit.
Good or better at both graded inspections since 2016.
What Ofsted found in July 2016
Read the 2016 report on OfstedWhat Ofsted found in November 2021
- SafeguardingEffective
- Quality of educationOutstanding
- Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
- Personal developmentOutstanding
- LeadershipOutstanding
The four grades, in plain English
- Outstanding
- Much better than the minimum.
- Good
- Meets every standard well.
- Requires improvement
- Not yet good. Ofsted will be back soon.
- Inadequate
- Serious problems that must be fixed.
Funded childcare
How many free hours could your child get?
These are the national rules. Ask Barnwell which funded hours it offers, and what costs extra, like meals and trips.
15 hours for every 3 and 4 year old
Every child in England gets 15 funded hours a week in term time from the term after they turn 3.
Up to 30 hours for working parents
If you work, you may get 30 funded hours a week for children from 9 months old. Apply through Childcare Choices.
15 hours for some 2 year olds
Families on some benefits can get 15 hours a week from the term after their child turns 2.
Tax-Free Childcare
For every £8 you pay in, the government adds £2, up to £2,000 a year per child.
Check what you can get at Childcare Choices.
Day to day
Life at Barnwell
Open day
What to ask when you visit
Based on what the data says about Barnwell. Take this list with you.
- 1“What has changed since the last Ofsted inspection?”The grade is from 2021.
- 2“What are your opening hours, and do you close in the holidays?”We don't hold opening hours for nurseries.
- 3“How many funded hours can you offer, and what costs extra?”Funded hours are free, but meals and extras can cost money.
- 4“Who will look after my child, and how long have they worked here?”Staff who stay make a big difference to young children.
- 5“How do you support children who need extra help?”Every nursery has to support children with special educational needs.
Nearby
See all Sunderland nurseriesOther nurseries nearby
Popular nurseries fill up, so it's wise to list more than one. Here's how Barnwell compares with its neighbours.
Ofsted: OutstandingYou're here
Ofsted: Good
Ofsted: Good
Ofsted: GoodKeep an eye on Barnwell
We'll email you when there's a new Ofsted report, new results or new admissions figures. Nothing else.
The basics
School details
- Type
- Nursery
- Opened
- July 2014
- Council
- Sunderland
- Address
- Barnwell School, Whitefield Estate, New Penshaw, HOUGHTON-LE-SPRING, DH4 7RT
- Ofsted reference (URN)
- EY477912 · See it on the government register
Questions
Questions parents ask
Is Barnwell Academy a good nursery?
Ofsted rated it Outstanding in November 2021. That's a while ago. Visit, and read the latest inspection report.
What is Barnwell Academy's Ofsted rating?
Ofsted rated it Outstanding in November 2021. That's a while ago. Ofsted no longer gives one overall grade, so its next inspection will give a report card that grades each area. The full report on Ofsted's website explains what it does well and what it needs to improve.
How many free hours can my child get?
Every 3 and 4 year old in England can get 15 funded hours a week in term time. Working parents can get up to 30 hours a week from 9 months old. Check what this nursery offers.
Sources: Department for Education school performance tables, school census and workforce, academy accounts, admissions statistics, Ofsted and ISI. Photos are stand-ins. School details and inspections checked against official records on 5 November 2026.