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Nursery at St Mark's CofE 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A separate room for two-year-olds and a Nursery Class give St Mark's two starting points for early learning. Both belong to the Church of England primary school on Sussex Way, rather than a standalone childcare setting. The provision serves children aged two to four, with morning and full-day patterns during school terms.
For the 2026/27 admission year, the school offers up to the equivalent of 26 full-time Nursery places. That is a measure of provision, rather than a promise of 26 children attending together. The school's early years facility was developed in 2015, creating a learning space specifically for younger children.
Children's choices share the day with activities directed by adults. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum covers seven learning areas, with topics connecting activities across them. Learning takes place outdoors as well as in the classroom. For parents, the practical distinction is that children have opportunities to pursue their interests alongside planned teaching.
FFT phonics is the named early reading programme used in EYFS. Music also has a regular place: a specialist teacher teaches it weekly across the school, including early years. These give children structured opportunities to explore reading and sound alongside their broader topic work.
The school garden adds a concrete connection with growing things. Each class has a patch for flowers and vegetables, so planting and tending are part of the school's approach to learning. The grounds also contain a pond and chickens. These are school features; the class patches provide the clearest link between the garden and children's activities.
Lunch is included for children attending the 30-hour, Monday-to-Friday pattern. This makes the meal part of that attendance arrangement, rather than something families need to organise separately.
For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), the school's policy uses an Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle. Support can include adapted teaching, smaller groups and tasks divided into manageable steps. Plans are reviewed each term, with parents involved in developing and reviewing individual support. Families therefore have a defined role in decisions about their child's help.
Personal care also has an explicit policy: nappy changing must preserve children's dignity and privacy, while staff avoid secluded or unobserved situations. The safeguarding lead is also the EYFS lead, linking responsibility for child protection with the early years team.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal admissions route and meet the deadline for their child's entry year. Islington residents use the council's primary application process; families living elsewhere apply through their home local authority.
The 2026/27 admission arrangements give no priority for nursery attendance. Their oversubscription criteria concern care status, siblings, qualifying church attendance and distance. Familiarity with St Mark's therefore needs to be kept separate from the decision about a school place.
Morning sessions run from 8.45am to 11.45am. Full-day attendance runs from 8.45am to 3pm. Two-year-olds can also attend an afternoon session, from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Provision is term-time only, and the school does not offer a two-and-a-half-day weekly pattern.
All three- and four-year-olds qualify for a funded 15-hour place; the funded 30-hour option has eligibility conditions. Additional sessions can supplement a 15-hour place, with charges set on a means-tested basis. Contact the school for current charges.
For two-year-olds, families receiving extra government support who do not qualify for working family entitlements may be eligible for 15 funded hours each week. Islington's Family Information Service can advise on early learning and childcare: contact FIS@islington.gov.uk or 020 7527 5959.
Applications are submitted in person using a form from the website or school office. Enquiries go to admin@st-marks.islington.sch.uk or 020 7272 5967. Nursery uniform permits black or grey tracksuit bottoms, a practical option alongside the school's logo clothing. Prospective families can telephone to book an open morning.
St Mark's has a room for two-year-olds and a Nursery Class for three- and four-year-olds.
Morning sessions are 8.45am to 11.45am and full days are 8.45am to 3pm. The two-year-old provision also has afternoons from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Attendance is term-time only.
Three- and four-year-olds qualify for a funded 15-hour place. A funded 30-hour place depends on eligibility; lunch is provided for children attending that Monday-to-Friday pattern.
No. A separate Reception application is required. Nursery attendance is not an oversubscription priority in the 2026/27 arrangements.
Return the nursery application form to the school in person. Telephone 020 7272 5967 for enquiries or to book an open morning; the office email is admin@st-marks.islington.sch.uk.
