End of an era plus new chapter for Hadfield Nursery School

Hadfield Nursery School is celebrating both its proud past and an exciting future.

This year marks a moment of change and achievement: long-standing Chair of Governors Kate Singleton has stepped down after more than 40 years of service, the school received a glowing Ofsted report, and a new building is set to open in January, expanding places for local children. 

Few people have given more time and energy to Hadfield Nursery School than Kate. At 76, she has served on the governing body for over four decades, including 10 years as Chair and at least 10 years as Vice-Chair. 

“I’m part of the fixtures and fittings!” she laughed. “I’ve been part of the process that has appointed all of the current staff, including our Headteacher, Ken Weed.” 

Kate’s connection to the nursery stretches back to its days on Jones Street, where the original wooden building stood before the move to Queen Street in 1988. “I was a governor for four years when we were still at Jones Street and supported Councillor Dave Wilcox on the campaign for the new building,” she recalled. 

That campaign was pivotal. The original building, constructed in 1939 almost entirely by volunteers, had begun to fail by the 1980s - heating and electrics were breaking down, and the roof collapsed. A public meeting and a petition of 1,600 signatures led to Derbyshire County Council funding a new building. Construction began in 1987, and the nursery reopened on Queen Street the following year. 

Hadfield Nursery School’s roots go back even further. In 1934, the Hadfield League of Social Service was founded to support local unemployed men and women. Two years later, the League’s Welfare Committee decided to establish a nursery school to improve opportunities for local families. The nursery opened in January 1938 in temporary accommodation in the League’s clubhouse, with nine children to start, rising to fifteen by the first term’s end. 

Support came from influential figures - including Lady Astor, Britain’s first female MP, who donated funds for a trained superintendent, provided the League would raise money for a permanent building. Volunteers built the Jones Street nursery by hand, completing the structure in June 1939. That sense of community dedication has remained a hallmark of the school ever since. 

Kate’s professional background made her a perfect fit for the role. Excelling in science at school - unusual for a young woman at the time - she worked in the Pathology Lab at Stepping Hill Hospital before joining Christie Hospital as a research scientist. Later, she trained as a teacher and became a lecturer in social care and early years education at Derby University, a post she held for over 30 years. 

“Being a governor made me a more effective lecturer,” Kate said. “I saw the things I was teaching in action.” 

Throughout her time at Hadfield, she has helped appoint all staff and supported generations of local families. “It’s a voluntary role,” she explained. “We meet every term, appoint staff and monitor how the school is run. Governors visit regularly, look at standards and make sure the school is held to account.” 

Headteacher Ken Weed, who has led the nursery for five years and taught in early years since 2009, praised Kate’s contribution. “As Kate has an early years background, she understands the role of a governor so well - she always asks the key questions and keeps us to account” he said. “When I was interviewed, it was very thorough! A huge thank you to Kate for the amazing work she has done over the last 40 years. The nursery has gone through a lot of challenges, and she has been crucial in meeting them all head-on. We are so glad that even though she’s stepping down as Chair, she’s continuing with us.” 

Kate is stepping back due to other demands on her time but plans to remain an active governor. “I live nearby and don’t work so I’m available - I’ll probably be just as busy!” she smiled. 

Taking over from Kate is Labour Cllr Edward Siddall, who represents Hadfield South Ward. Edward has been a governor for five years and knows the nursery well - his three children all attended the school. Kate and the Board interviewed him for the role, and she is confident the school is in safe hands. 

Cllr Siddall said: “I would like to thank Kate for her service as Chair of Governors, and for supporting the nursery for over 40 years. The nursery has always been a special place and I aim to carry on her good work. I am glad she is staying on as a governor to support me.” 

Photo: New Chair Cllr Edward Siddall and Kate Singleton

The leadership change coincides with a glowing Ofsted report, published in July, which rated Hadfield Nursery School ‘Good’ under the rigorous new inspection framework. 

Inspectors praised the school’s “ambitious curriculum” and “strong links with the local community”, noting that children “learn empathy, respect and real-world skills”. The report described Hadfield as “a happy, vibrant place where children skip into school each morning” and highlighted the “warm and encouraging relationships between staff and children.” 

The report recognised how the school’s goals clearly set out the key knowledge and skills children are expected to learn, remember, and use, with parents involved in supporting that learning at home. Creative, hands-on activities help children explore and problem-solve - for example, investigating how to fill a ‘pothole’ so bikes could ride safely. 

Early language development was a particular strength. Staff are trained to help children recognise sounds and letters, using song, rhyme, and story time to build vocabulary and confidence. 

Ken said, “We are such a strong team and everyone here plays their part. Everyone is passionate about what they do, always putting the children first. I’m so proud to work here.” 

Hadfield Nursery caters for children aged 2-4 years old and currently has around 100 children on roll. The nursery can accommodate up to 16 full-time two-year-olds and 70 full-time three and four-year-olds, offering both full and part-time places, as well as extended hours from 7:45am to 5:30pm for working families. 

With 18 members of staff, the nursery is one of only seven maintained nursery schools left in Derbyshire, and one of just 381 in the UK. Maintained nursery schools are state-funded and led by a qualified headteacher with a governing body, offering a structured curriculum that prepares children for primary school. 

Ken explained, “We’re not just a nursery - we’re a maintained nursery school. Everything we do is purposeful. The curriculum is planned, the learning is structured and our focus is on giving children the best possible start before they move onto primary education.” 

That purpose is about to grow further. The nursery is expanding into a neighbouring building, formerly Hadfield Children’s Centre, which adjoins the main school. Built in 2001, the centre closed due to funding cuts and the pandemic. 

With support from the Government’s Childcare Expansion Grant, Hadfield Nursery is refurbishing the space to create a new area dedicated to two-year-olds, complete with a new garden. The expansion is due to open in January 2026. 

Ken said, “It’s fantastic to be able to expand our provision and offer more places for local families. There’s such a demand for quality early years education, and we’re proud to meet that need.” 

As Hadfield Nursery prepares for its next chapter, its strong sense of community remains at the heart of everything it does. From its humble beginnings in the 1930s to its modern, inclusive approach today, the school continues to be a beacon of early years education in Derbyshire.