Our Lady & St Paul's RC Primary School Nursery Review

A curriculum shaped around children's starting points gives this nursery its clearest character. At Our Lady & St Paul's RC Primary School in Darnhill, Heywood, Nursery forms part of the school's early years provision, within a Catholic primary setting that admits children from age three.

Ofsted graded early years Outstanding at the inspection on 12 and 13 September 2023. That judgement covered the school's early years provision collectively. For parents considering Nursery, the useful detail is the finding behind it: the curriculum addressed the needs of the children, who made substantial progress from their individual starting points.

Learning follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), alongside Development Matters, within STOC's curriculum framework. For parents, the emphasis is on building the foundations for subsequent learning, with early language and vocabulary given attention from EYFS onwards. Communication matters here.

The September 2023 early years findings give that framework substance. Curriculum planning was tailored to the children in the early years classes. Progress was linked to where each child began. That makes individual development a more useful lens for understanding the nursery's educational purpose than a checklist of activities completed.

Reading also has a defined place in the Trust's approach. Reading aloud, book corners and class libraries are among the features used across its schools to develop interest in books. These sit alongside the early emphasis on language: books and spoken vocabulary are connected parts of the learning culture.

Safeguarding concerns have a clear first point of contact: the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead. The school can also draw on the Trust's safeguarding team. For families, this provides a route for raising a concern and access to support beyond the individual school.

Across the Trust, the Catering Team works with schools on menus and balanced food choices. Its remit includes meals intended to support children's wellbeing. This is a Trust service supporting schools, rather than a description of a particular nursery meal or snack routine.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing Nursery and applying for Reception as two distinct decisions.

STOC is the admissions authority; the relevant local authority coordinates school admissions for the Trust. Parents use their home local authority's admissions process. Educational preparation and allocation of a school place are separate matters; progress in Nursery should not be read as an admissions advantage.

The school is on Sutherland Road, Darnhill, Heywood, OL10 3PD. For nursery enquiries, telephone 01706 360827. This gives families a direct school contact when considering the provision.