St Aidan's Church of England Primary School Nursery

Morning learning and Forest School give this nursery its shape. At St Aidan's Church of England Primary School on Derwentwater Road in Gateshead, nursery children belong to the school's early years provision, with a nursery teacher and a teaching assistant whose role spans Nursery and Reception. The school describes its ethos as Christian and inclusive.

The nursery morning starts at 8:50am and finishes at 11:50am. Learning covers both prime and specific areas: the early years framework brings different aspects of children's development into the session rather than organising the morning around older pupils' subjects.

Little Wandle Foundations gives early reading preparation a named approach. Its focus is on recognising and working with sounds, developing vocabulary and enjoying reading, preparing children for later work connecting letters and sounds. The emphasis here is on the foundations of reading.

Practical number work provides another concrete example. In March 2024, nursery children explored the number 4 using fingers, Numicon and domino cards. They also joined blocks together to represent the number. These examples show how an abstract idea can become something children handle and recognise in different forms.

Outdoor learning includes Forest School with Muddy Monsters. Nursery children took part alongside Reception in May 2026, dressing in waterproofs for changeable weather. The school garden also hosted an Easter egg hunt for both groups in April 2026, organised by school councillors. These shared activities give nursery children contact with the wider school through outdoor experiences.

A nursery teacher and a Nursery/Reception teaching assistant form part of the early years team. For families discussing special educational needs, the school office provides the route to the SENDCo, allowing parents to raise their child's needs with the relevant member of staff.

Physical access includes toilets designed for accessibility, step-free routes and a private space for administering medication. For pupils with physical difficulties, the school prepares an individual evacuation plan following a risk assessment and makes the plan known to staff working with them.

Parent contact includes nursery meetings: one was scheduled for October 2025, with information sent through Teachers2Parents. School newsletters are sent twice each term, adding a regular channel for information about school life.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet its deadline. For the 2027 intake, that route is Gateshead Council's primary school admissions service. The council allocates places for St Aidan's. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.

Drop-off can begin at 8:40am, ahead of the 8:50am start. The 11:50am nursery finish is the key practical constraint for parents arranging work and collection.

To apply, complete the Nursery Application Form or contact the school directly. The office can be reached on 0191 477 2690 or at office@staidanscofe.org. School visits can also be arranged.

Uniform is expected for all children. Colours include burgundy knitwear, a yellow or gold polo shirt and grey or black trousers or a skirt, with black shoes or entirely black trainers. Logos are optional on the knitwear and polo shirt, giving families flexibility when choosing these items.