The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Nursery at St Patrick's Catholic Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Rangoli patterns, firework pictures and playdough give Pandas Nursery a hands-on introduction to celebrations beyond its Catholic setting. This is the on-site nursery at St Patrick's Catholic Primary School in Farnborough, with provision for children aged two, three and four. It became part of the school in September 2018.
The Catholic character also shapes learning. Pandas' Lent topic centres on preparing for Easter through forgiveness and prayer, giving families a concrete sense of how faith enters the nursery curriculum.
Creative play provides one clear picture of the children's activities. For Diwali, Pandas explored rangoli designs, made glittery pictures inspired by fireworks and used playdough in celebration-themed activities. These give young children different materials to handle while introducing a festival from another culture. Making and exploring sit alongside the celebration itself.
Religious learning has its own seasonal themes. The Lent topic introduces Easter preparation, with stories used to explore forgiveness. For parents choosing a Catholic nursery, this matters: religious ideas form part of children's learning rather than appearing only at special events.
In September 2023, Ofsted identified a positive beginning to reading across early years and Year 1, with adults taking children through early reading in a planned sequence. That finding needs its qualification: across the school, some adults needed deeper expertise, and a small number of children having difficulty with reading received support that lacked sufficient precision. This is a useful focus when discussing how help is tailored to a child's difficulties.
Emotional support includes a school Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA), a teaching assistant trained to help children understand feelings and develop friendship skills. The work covers anxiety, anger and sadness as well as self-esteem. Parents concerned about their child's emotional wellbeing begin with the class teacher, who can refer for an ELSA intervention when needed.
Communication uses Arbor. Parents can view and update their child's information there, and school messages are sent through the system. That gives families a practical channel for keeping contact details accurate and following communications.
Attending Pandas does not guarantee a Reception place and brings no nursery-attendance priority under the 2026–2027 arrangements. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority using its Common Application Form.
For September 2026 entry, the closing date was 15 January 2026. Applicants seeking specified faith categories were also strongly requested to return a Supplementary Information Form with supporting evidence by that deadline. This was a past admissions cycle; nursery attendance did not replace either application step.
Pandas shares the school's site at Whitefriars, Avenue Road, Farnborough. Road safety deserves attention during collection and drop-off: complaints about driving on Avenue Road prompted reminders to park considerately and keep children's scooters at a safe pavement speed. With nursery children as young as two using the area, this is a practical consideration for the journey to nursery.
The on-site provision has spaces for children aged two, three and four.
Examples include Diwali firework artwork, rangoli designs and playdough activities. Catholic learning includes preparing for Easter through prayer and forgiveness.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee admission or confer priority under the 2026–2027 arrangements. A separate application goes through the family's home local authority.
Speak first to the child's class teacher. The teacher can make a referral for an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant intervention if required.
Parent communication uses Arbor, where families can also view and update their child's information.
