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Nursery at St Thomas of Canterbury 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Respect, kindness and a Catholic school identity provide the context for nursery provision at St Thomas of Canterbury in Merrow, Guildford. The school belongs to the Xavier Catholic Education Trust and serves the Guildford parish, while welcoming families across faith backgrounds. For parents, the religious character is a meaningful part of the choice.
The school's stated aim is to help children develop socially, emotionally, spiritually and academically. Its Golden Threads include friendship, tolerance and wonder: values that give families a concrete sense of the school's intended culture.
S=P+A+C+E is the school's named framework for learning, wellbeing and inclusion. The school aims to develop independence and collaboration alongside vocabulary, encouraging children to think about their learning. These are school-wide intentions rather than a timetable of nursery activities.
The early years curriculum framework includes physical development, language and communication, literacy and mathematics. It also encompasses emotional and social development, understanding the world and creative expression. In parent language, the intended breadth extends beyond early reading and numbers to movement, relationships and exploring ideas.
Making S=P+A+C+E for EVERYONE expresses the school's aim that children should feel respected and belong. The school describes inclusion as celebrating each child's individuality. That stated ethos gives parents a useful starting point for discussing their child's needs.
An inclusion team and SENCo can be contacted through inclusion@stthomas.xaviercet.org.uk. There is also a home school link worker, with a separate contact at hslw@stthomas.xaviercet.org.uk. These school-level roles provide distinct routes for conversations about additional needs and support between home and school.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place and does not confer priority under the 2026-27 admission arrangements. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority. Familiarity with the school should therefore be kept separate from the question of securing a place.
For September 2026 entry, the Common Application Form deadline was 15 January 2026. Families applying under a faith criterion also needed to return the Supplementary Information Form and supporting documents to the school by that date. That deadline has passed. An incomplete faith application could affect the priority category assigned to a child.
Admissions enquiries and individual school tours can be arranged through admissions@stthomas.xaviercet.org.uk or by calling 01483 888388. A school visit gives families an opportunity to discuss their choice; visiting does not influence the allocation of places.
The school address is Horseshoe Lane West, Merrow, Guildford, Surrey GU1 2SX. Office hours run from 8.30am until 4.00pm. Outside those hours, families can leave a telephone message or email info@stthomas.xaviercet.org.uk, providing a contact route that does not depend on reaching staff during the working day.
No. Nursery attendance neither guarantees a place nor gives priority under the 2026-27 admission arrangements. A separate Reception application is required.
Apply through the local authority where you live using its Common Application Form. For a faith criterion, also submit the school's Supplementary Information Form with supporting documents. For September 2026 entry, the deadline was 15 January 2026 and has passed.
Yes. Contact admissions@stthomas.xaviercet.org.uk or call 01483 888388 to arrange an individual visit. Visits do not affect admissions decisions.
The school's inclusion team and SENCo can be reached at inclusion@stthomas.xaviercet.org.uk.
On Horseshoe Lane West in Merrow, Guildford, Surrey GU1 2SX.
