St Michael's Steventon Nursery Review

A former village pre-school building gives St Michael's nursery its own physical setting within a Church of England primary school. The Nursery Class occupies the former Steventon pre-school premises, linking an established early years space with the school on The Causeway.

Respect, Courage and Perseverance are the school's core Christian values. Its stated ambition combines independence with inclusion: children are encouraged to aim high, with teaching adapted to their starting points. That is the school-wide philosophy surrounding the nursery, rather than a separate nursery ethos.

Across every phase, the school says it uses personalised learning and adaptive teaching. In plain language, the intention is to adjust teaching to the learner, rather than expect children with different starting points to respond identically. Independence and resilience are also school aims, alongside experiences extending beyond classroom learning.

Inclusion is a school-wide aim. St Michael's says that a child's background, ability or starting point should not limit the ambition adults have for them. Its approach places personalised learning alongside expectations for every pupil, making individual circumstances part of the teaching philosophy.

Emotional wellbeing also has a place in the school's approach to learning. Its additional support includes ELSA, delivered by teaching assistants trained by educational psychologists to help children's emotional development. Interventions run in blocks of 6 - 12 weeks. This is school provision, rather than a promise that every nursery child receives an intervention.

For families discussing additional needs, the school has a SENCO and Inclusion Lead. The contact route is senco@stmichaelsprimary.school, giving parents a direct starting point for a conversation about their child's needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process; choosing the nursery should not be treated as securing the next stage.

Oxfordshire County Council handles applications for children starting school, using an online application route. Applications open in November each year, with the deadline usually in January and the outcome communicated in early April. Keep that separate application in the family calendar, even while your child is attending nursery.

The school is on The Causeway, Steventon, Abingdon, OX13 6SQ. Initial enquiries go through the school administration team. Contact the office on 01235 831298 or email office@stmichaelsprimary.school.

School visits can be arranged by appointment through the office. A visit gives families a practical opportunity to discuss choosing the school before applying. For a nursery enquiry, use the same office contact and make clear that you are asking about the Nursery Class.