Education
Nansledan boasts some of the best early-years education facilities in Cornwall, including a primary school for 420 pupils and a nursery for up to 60 children.
Education in Nansledan
Education is an important part of Nansledan’s sustainability, ensuring children can be schooled close to home and that the growing demand for school places in Newquay can also be supported.
Nansledan’s Primary School and Nursery have structured their learning around local green spaces, with nature-based experiences and outdoor education an important part of their teaching.
Nansledan is also close to Newquay’s two secondary schools, Newquay Tretherras and Treviglas Academy, allowing children to continue their education locally
Naturally learning nursery
Positioned at the heart of Nansledan, the Naturally Learning nursery caters for babies and children up to five years old.
Naturally Learning already run several nurseries across Cornwall. They understand the importance of early brain development, creating an ethos that promotes a holistic approach to childcare. Positioned at the heart of Nansledan, the nursery caters for babies and children up to five years old. It has been designed on one level with open access to outdoor gardens.
Naturally Learning takes a holistic approach to childcare, nurturing ‘mind, body and soul’ through child-led, nature-based experiences and outdoor learning. At Nansledan, children can look forward to regular trips to the nearby Newquay Orchard and Beach School.
Naturally Learning is run by Sarah Hood and her partner Tom Richardson, who live in Newquay. The nursey is open Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6pm.
A greener nursery
Nansledan’s nursery, along with neighbouring shops and offices, use renewable energy provided by ground source heat pumps. This reduces annual carbon emissions by around 84% compared with traditional gas boilers. Sixteen bore holes, each 130 metres deep, were drilled as part of the heat pump system.
Skol Nansledan primary school
First opened in September 2019, Skol Nansledan can accommodate 420 primary school pupils in 14 classrooms.
Education is an important part of Nansledan’s sustainability, ensuring children can be schooled close to home and helping meet the growing demand for school places in Newquay.
Skol Nansledan took 15 months to build and opened in September 2019. It was officially opened by HM King Charles III, the then HRH The Duke of Cornwall, in March 2020.
The school was designed by Francis Robert Architects and Alan Leather Associates. The Duchy recognised the importance of the primary school to the community, forward-funding construction so that it was ready in the early years of the Nansledan development.
An outstanding school for Nansledan
The school is operated by the Aspire Academy Trust and includes roof tiles decorated by children from Nansledan and across Cornwall. One of the tiles also bears the signature of HM King Charles III.
In 2020 Skol Nansledan won a coveted Social Impact Award from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. The judges recognised the school’s alignment with the vision for Nansledan, saying it was “an outstanding example of a primary school with an ethos focused towards learning in nature and sustainability.”
They praised the school’s outdoor learning facilities, allotments and cookery room, which give children the opportunity to grow and prepare their own food, saying this was “fundamental in encouraging children to connect with nature.” And they highlighted how the school allowed children with all needs to flourish, including facilities such as a sensory room for children with autism.