St Peter's Roman Catholic Primary School, Blackburn: Nursery Review

Outdoor play, growing independence and an explicitly Catholic setting give St Peter's nursery its character. The nursery belongs to St Peter's Roman Catholic Primary School on Hawkins Street in Blackburn, placing early learning within the life of the school.

Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good at its inspection on 19 and 20 November 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. The school aims for children to develop confidence, curiosity and perseverance, alongside consideration for other people. Those aims give families a clear sense of its priorities.

Communication and physical development are substantial parts of the early learning experience. In November 2024, early years activities helped children build language skills and understanding through purposeful experiences. The outdoor area provided opportunities to develop movement and confidence through play. Here, outdoor learning has a developmental purpose: children practise physical skills as well as becoming more assured.

The nursery curriculum sits within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). In practical parent language, the evidenced emphasis includes learning to communicate, becoming more independent and developing physical confidence. Mathematics in the Foundation Stage focuses on numbers and numerical patterns, giving early mathematical learning a place alongside language and movement.

Catholic life also reaches the nursery directly. The Gift Team reads and prays with nursery children, connecting them with the school's faith activities through shared reading and prayer.

Learning activities. The November 2024 inspection also identified a whole-school concern: some tasks did not help pupils consolidate knowledge before tackling further learning. Families should distinguish that wider improvement point from the positive findings specifically about early years.

Settling and independence are strengths of the early years experience evidenced in November 2024. Children adjusted readily to school life, while staff provided attentive care and supported them in doing more for themselves. For parents, that combination matters: emotional adjustment and growing independence receive attention together.

Partnership with families is an explicit school aim. St Peter's emphasises communication and mutual understanding between parents and staff. Its guidance for families also encourages conversation during play and mealtimes, making up stories together and using new vocabulary. These are concrete ways parents can support the nursery's language emphasis at home.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route.

For the forthcoming application cycle, apply online through Blackburn with Darwen's school admissions service by 15 January 2027. Treat this as a separate step in your child's education: choosing the nursery does not replace the Reception application.

The school office is the contact for nursery enquiries: telephone 01254 691745 or email st.peters.blackburn@stpetersrc.co.uk. The address is Hawkins Street, Blackburn, BB2 2RY. These contact details provide a direct route to the school when pursuing a nursery place.