St Augustine's Catholic Primary School Nursery, Gateshead

At the July 2024 inspection, repeating patterns, songs and rhymes gave nursery learning at St Augustine's a concrete, child-sized focus. This is the nursery within St Augustine's Catholic Primary School in Leam Lane, Gateshead. Children become eligible at the beginning of the term after their third birthday, and attendance follows two full days plus one Wednesday half-day during term time.

The arrangement gives families a clear choice between the beginning and end of the week. It also means a child's nursery routine includes both longer days and a shorter session, something to consider when planning care around nursery.

Early mathematics starts with practical activity. At the Ofsted inspection on 9 and 10 July 2024, nursery children developed mathematical understanding through carefully planned tasks, including creating repeating patterns. That makes an abstract idea something children can work with directly.

Across the early years, learning was shaped around children's needs and interests. Adults supported learning through purposeful interaction, songs and rhymes, while children showed pride in their creations, writing and developing abilities. These examples explain the early years foundation stage in everyday terms here: learning involves what children make and do, as well as how they communicate and play together.

Routine matters too. The July 2024 findings connected social development with learning: shared play involved cooperation, while routines helped children develop independence. For parents, those findings connect the learning programme with the social skills needed to take part in a group.

Letter formation. The same inspection required more consistent correction of handwriting across the school's classes. The concern concerned some pupils rather than a nursery-specific finding, but it is relevant context for the beginnings of writing.

Before a child starts, the family receives confirmation about a place a couple of months ahead, followed by starting information and an invitation to visit together. This gives parent and child an opportunity to become familiar with nursery before attendance begins.

Ofsted found that children with special educational needs and/or disabilities in the early years received very effective support in July 2024. Families can discuss SEND with the school's SEND coordinator, who also holds the deputy headteacher role. Physical access includes ramps serving the main office and top yard, with lifts at the main stairways, useful practical features for families with mobility needs.

A nursery place does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must make a separate application through Gateshead Council's online system, starting in the September before their child is due to begin school. Treat this as another application to organise, even if your child already attends nursery.

For the admissions cycle leading to entry in 2026, the application closing date was 15 January 2026. That deadline has passed; it belongs to that cycle and should not be used as the deadline for a later start.

The 15-hour funded entitlement follows one of two patterns: Monday and Tuesday full days with Wednesday morning, or Thursday and Friday full days with Wednesday afternoon. Both operate during term time only.

Full days run from 8:50am to 3:20pm. Wednesday morning runs from 8:50am to 11:50am; the afternoon session runs from 12:20pm to 3:20pm. Morning arrival is permitted from 8:40am, giving families a little time before the session starts.

Nursery applications use the Nursery Application Form. Contact the school on 0191 469 2949 or email info@stag.bwcet.com for enquiries.