St Alban's Catholic Primary School, Pelaw: Nursery Review

Small-group conversation gives this nursery a distinctive starting point. In March 2024, daily Talk Boost sessions gave all nursery children practice in putting their ideas into words within small groups. This is the school’s own nursery at St Alban’s Catholic Primary School, Pelaw, a Catholic setting on Rothbury Avenue in Gateshead.

Talk Boost brings nursery children together in small groups to practise expressing themselves. In March 2024, all nursery children took part daily. The practical emphasis is on finding words for an idea and sharing it with others.

Recognising quantities at a glance was part of early-years mathematics at the January 2024 inspection, alongside counting cat’s missing-number game. Help from adults came promptly. For parents, these activities show how early number learning combined an understanding of quantity with counting practice.

Social learning accompanies those activities. The same inspection found that early-years children readily absorbed expectations about fairness, honesty and treating others respectfully. Cooperation was evident among the youngest children during both group activities and play. Learning to participate alongside other children is part of the day’s work.

Emotions receive explicit attention. During Children’s Mental Health Week in February 2025, early-years children considered what made them happy and explored sadness as an acceptable feeling. That gives children language for experiences they may otherwise struggle to explain.

For special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the school’s approach to young children includes responding to emerging difficulties and listening to parental concerns about development. The special educational needs coordinator (SENDCo) organises support, and parents are informed when additional educational provision begins. Families can arrange a discussion through the school office, giving them a direct route to raise concerns.

Across the school, support planning includes parents in agreeing outcomes and reviewing progress. Specialist input can include speech and language therapy or educational psychology, depending on the child’s needs. This provides a route beyond classroom support where further assessment or advice is needed.

Physical access. The main school building lacks an accessible toilet; an accessible toilet is in the demountable building. Ramps and an accessible dining area are among the school’s facilities. Families whose children have physical difficulties should consider how those arrangements fit the spaces their child will use.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. For September 2027 entry, it does not confer an oversubscription priority either. Families must submit a separate Common Application Form through their home local authority by 15 January 2027. Treat that application as a separate task, even when your child already attends nursery.

For children receiving SEND support, internal class changes involve advance information-sharing with the next teacher, a planning meeting and the transfer of learning plans. This continuity helps the receiving staff prepare for a child’s needs. It is separate from the decision about admission.

Nursery attendance is either 15 or 30 hours per week, with nursery hours running from 08:50 to 15:00. The 15:00 finish is an important time to factor into daily childcare planning.

Visits to the nursery can be arranged by calling 0191 4693251. The school’s term dates differ from Gateshead Council’s, so use the school calendar when organising holidays and childcare.