St Paul's Catholic Primary School, Alnwick: Nursery Review

Little Lambs gives two-year-olds their own starting point at St Paul's, alongside the school's Nursery class. This is early education within a Catholic primary school on South Road in Alnwick. Little Lambs accepts children with two-year-old funding and those whose families pay fees; Nursery offers places with 15 or 30 funded hours, as well as fee-paying places.

Conversation and imaginative play give the learning its character. In March 2024, Ofsted found that adults interacted skilfully with children in Little Lambs, using stories, singing and rhymes to prepare them for later phonics. Nursery children used a pretend shop to sustain a conversation with the inspector. It is a concrete example of play giving children a reason to choose words, explain themselves and respond to another person.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together seven learning areas, with religious education added here. Language, physical development and social and emotional learning sit alongside reading, writing, maths, expressive arts and understanding the world. The school plans around children's interests and individual needs, and aims to build independence and resilience through active learning, play and thinking for themselves.

There are specific starting points beyond early literacy. Geography begins with seasons and mapping; history starts with events in children's lives and families. Come and See is the religious education programme used from EYFS onwards, introducing Catholic learning alongside opportunities for reflection and learning about other faiths. These give early learning connections to children's own experiences.

The staff structure includes a Nursery teacher with responsibility for early years and early reading, a Little Lambs and Nursery lead, and pre-school practitioners and an assistant. A SENCO is also part of the school team. The school aims to adapt its early years curriculum to children's differing backgrounds and needs, making individual development part of its planning.

School meals are prepared on site and eaten in the Dining Hall. A three-week menu rotation includes daily vegetables, with fruit and salad available. Vegetarian and gluten-free requirements can be accommodated. Parents choose meals through School Money at least 48 hours ahead, making lunch something families can discuss and organise together.

Safeguarding training covers teaching and other staff, with Clennell Education Solutions among the training providers. The early years lead is part of the designated safeguarding team, giving nursery provision a connection to the school's safeguarding structure.

Attending Little Lambs or Nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal school admissions process. The route is Northumberland County Council's admissions team or its online application forms. Choosing the nursery and applying for school are separate decisions: families should plan for both.

Pre-School wraparound care can cover 7.30am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday. This extends the possible childcare day beyond a nursery session. The school also runs Breakfast Club and Chill Club, with the latter operating from 3.15pm to 6.00pm.

For a nursery visit, further information or an application form, contact the school office at admin@stpaulsalnwick.co.uk. Funded and fee-paying places are both offered; contact the school for current charges.

School uniform includes a forest green sweatshirt or cardigan, grey bottoms and a white polo shirt; a forest green polo is also permitted. Second-hand uniform and summer uniform swap days provide additional ways to obtain it. Named Wellington boots are stored together in outdoor boot boxes, a useful practical detail for managing footwear.