St Thomas of Canterbury RC Primary School Nursery

A bug hotel and a Christmas Nativity give this nursery two distinct points of character: practical care for the natural world and participation in Catholic school life. Nursery children have built the former and performed the latter. These are concrete examples of making and taking part.

St Thomas of Canterbury has a nursery class within its primary school on Romany Road in Rainham. The school has a single class in each year group. Its Catholic identity matters to the choice: the school aims to connect family, parish and education, and to recognise children’s different personal and learning needs.

Making a bug hotel gave nursery children a practical contribution to a school environmental project linked to CAFOD. It brought the idea of caring for creation down to something children could construct. This was a specific project, rather than a promise about a daily activity.

Christmas has also brought performance and celebration. Nursery children took part in a Nativity and prepared for a Christmas party, while nursery Nativities form part of the school’s celebrations. For parents, these examples show children participating together in activities with a shared purpose, alongside the school’s religious character.

Daily contact with nursery staff gives parents an opportunity to exchange information when needed. A class teacher can also speak informally at the end of the day, with appointments for longer conversations. That makes a brief update and a more detailed discussion separate, useful options.

Additional needs are coordinated across the school by a SENCo, working with staff and specialist services. These include occupational therapists and speech and language therapists, as well as Danecourt Outreach Service. Parents with concerns start with the class teacher; discussion with the SENCo can follow when needed.

School support can include individual work or small groups, with equipment chosen for a child’s needs. Pencil grips, writing slopes and spring-loaded scissors are examples. Physical access measures include ramps to the school and playground, accessible toilets and visual markings on steps. These are school facilities, rather than a description of a separate nursery building.

For children who need more time when joining the school, additional visits can accompany induction. Photographic transition booklets can introduce a classroom and teacher in advance. Children with specific medical needs have care plans developed with parents, giving families a role in agreeing care arrangements.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through their home local authority; for Medway residents, this is the Reception Common Application Form. Treat that application as a separate task from choosing nursery.

Applicants seeking consideration under the school’s oversubscription categories are also requested to send a Supplementary Information Form and supporting documents to the school at the time of application. Without these, a child may be assigned a lower priority category. This application requirement is separate from the support children receive when joining school.

For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 01634 234 677 or email office@st-thomascanterbury.medway.sch.uk. The school is on Romany Road, Rainham, Gillingham, ME8 6JH. The office is also the route for arranging a discussion with the SENCo about a child’s needs.