St Martin's Church of England Primary School Nursery

Early reading and familiar routines give St Martin’s nursery its clearest character. This is the school’s own provision for three-year-olds on Wallace Road in Bradley, Bilston, with a morning session that ends before midday. It offers a defined morning of early education for families planning care around a short session.

At the Ofsted inspection on 25 and 26 April 2023, early years provision was graded Good. The nursery findings highlighted attentive adults and prompt recognition of children needing additional help. The school describes its Christian approach as welcoming to all, with compassion, respect and resilience shaping its aims.

The morning runs from 8:45am to 11:45am. Early learning follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, with learning organised around themes. The school aims to develop basic skills, including using English and mathematics to communicate and solve problems. For children, the aim is to put what they learn to use. The school aims to help children connect their learning and use skills in everyday situations, giving topics a purpose beyond an isolated activity.

Reading begins in Nursery. In April 2023, the reading programme was effective, staff had regular training and children needing help received it promptly. At that inspection, classrooms had areas for reading and each class heard stories daily. Books therefore had both a physical place and a regular place in the day.

For children with additional needs, learning can be adjusted through visual prompts, practical resources and extra time to respond. Observations are used for assessment in EYFS, allowing staff to consider children’s development through what they do as well as their responses to teaching.

A nursery practitioner and a teaching assistant form the nursery team. In April 2023, adults understood how to help nursery children, while predictable routines supported settling across early years. For children finding school life difficult, the school uses a relational approach: staff help them build relationships and understand their emotions.

Additional support involves the class team, SEND coordinator and, where needed, specialists. Available advice includes speech and language therapists and the Special Needs Early Years Service for under-fives. This gives staff routes to seek help beyond the classroom when a child’s needs require it.

Families of children with SEND have termly meetings with the teaching team and receive their child’s support targets. Targets are reviewed at least termly, with changes discussed when progress calls for a different approach. Parents can contribute their understanding of their child rather than simply receive an update.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and gives no attendance-based priority under the 2027/28 arrangements. Families must make a separate application. For entry in 2027/2028, apply online using the Common Application Form through the local authority where you live by 23:59 on 14 January 2027. A supplementary form is also required where the relevant criteria apply.

Transition support is a separate matter. Children take part in summer-term transition days. For children with SEND, preparation can include meetings between teachers, pupil profiles, social stories and further opportunities to meet the next teacher. These steps support familiarity; they do not determine admission.

The morning session is 8:45am to 11:45am, so families need collection arrangements before lunchtime. Nursery enquiries can go to the school office on 01902 925700 or office@stmartinsprimary.org.uk. Administrators can direct families to the appropriate team or arrange an appointment.

Collection follows the school’s permission checks: children leave with an adult who has parental responsibility, or someone whose permission has been confirmed beforehand. Arrange that permission in advance when another adult will collect.