St Augustine's Catholic Primary School Nursery Review

Purposeful play and a focus on language give St Augustine's nursery its character. Known as Foundation Stage 1 (FS1), it forms part of the Catholic primary school on St Wilfrid's Circus in Leeds. The school aims to help children explore, become curious and develop their speech, with family partnerships forming part of that approach.

Catholic beliefs shape the learning as well as the wider school day. For parents, this means choosing an early education with an explicit faith context: Lighting the Path is the religious education programme used in early years.

Play is a starting point for learning here. The school uses purposeful play in early years, while Foundation Stage geography activities draw on children's curiosity and interests. That gives children a way to explore the world through questions and topics connected to what interests them.

Speaking and listening run through the curriculum. Talk Matters principles and signs are used across the school to support oracy, meaning children's ability to express ideas and listen to others. The early years foundation stage (EYFS) combines learning with children's development; here, exploration, play and conversation are central features of that experience.

In May 2024, Ofsted found that early years learning gave children a secure, positive beginning and prepared them well for their next stage. Adults used vocabulary chosen for activities to develop conversations. During All around the World, children explored their classmates' birthplaces and could later point them out on a map. The detail matters: language learning was connected to the children themselves, rather than treated as an isolated exercise.

Early years bedtime stories also included hot chocolate, making shared reading a social occasion. Each classroom has somewhere for prayer and quiet reflection, giving the day a space for quieter moments alongside exploration and talk.

The Foundation Stage team includes staff whom the school describes as qualified and experienced. Its aim is to build relationships with families throughout their children's time there. The school also has SEND and inclusion roles, a learning mentor and a speech and language assistant, placing those functions within its wider staffing structure.

Family support includes the Catholic Care Schools and Community Team. This is a confidential service for children and families experiencing difficulties, and referrals require parental agreement. That consent gives parents a clear role in deciding whether their family uses the support.

Cereal and toast are provided as a daily breakfast for all children. The school intends this to be a sociable part of the day as well as something to eat. Nursery lunchtime runs from 11.30 to 12.30.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process.

For September 2026 entry, applications ran from 1 November 2025 to 15 January 2026. The route was through Leeds City Council, with a Supplementary Information Form also handed to the school. Those dates belong to the past admissions cycle; they are not a deadline for a future intake.

The day starts at 8.45 for all children, with nursery closing at 3.00pm. This earlier finish than the rest of the school matters when planning collection.

Nursery enquiries go through the school office. Families can arrange a visit by appointment, and there is a virtual tour specifically for FS1. Contact office@staugustinesleeds.org.uk or telephone 01132 930 350.

Uniform includes a polo shirt in gold and a sweatshirt in green bearing the school logo, worn with grey trousers or a grey skirt. Shoes should be black, flat and sensible: practical clothing is part of preparing for the nursery day.