St Bernadette's Roman Catholic Primary School Nursery

Catholic faith and early language give the nursery at St Bernadette's its educational context. This is school-attached provision in Whitefield, within a mixed state primary school whose age range begins at three. For families choosing an early start in a Catholic school, that identity is central to the choice.

St Bernadette's belongs to St Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Academy Trust. The Trust aims to connect education with faith, character and confidence, while allowing primary schools to shape their curriculum around their own community. That combines a shared educational direction with scope for local choices.

The Trust's early-years provision follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework alongside Development Matters. These provide the framework for children's early learning and development. Language and vocabulary are priorities from the early years onwards, putting children's growing ability to communicate at the centre of the educational approach.

Reading aloud, book corners and classroom libraries form part of the Trust's school-wide approach to reading. These are useful points of context for parents interested in how early language connects with books; they should be understood as Trust-wide features rather than a description of a particular nursery room.

Catholic values also shape the Trust's curriculum. Its principles include opportunities for worship and celebration, and an aim to support the whole child. The educational emphasis therefore extends beyond knowledge to children's developing sense of faith and community.

Inclusion is part of the Trust's curriculum approach, covering children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), those learning English as an additional language and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Its framework includes adapting teaching and using adult support to encourage independence. This describes the shared approach within which the school works.

For a safeguarding concern, the first contact is the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead. The school can then consult the Trust's safeguarding team. That gives families a clear starting point and a further level of support behind the school.

The Trust also provides safeguarding training and guidance across its schools. These arrangements establish responsibilities and support routes; they are separate from any judgement about the quality of nursery care.

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

Admissions are coordinated by the relevant local authority on behalf of the Trust, which is the admission authority. Parents use their home local authority's admissions process. Treat the nursery decision and the Reception application as separate steps when planning your child's education.

The school is on Abingdon Avenue, Whitefield, Manchester, M45 8PT. For nursery enquiries, contact the school on 0161 766 6098. This is the school contact rather than the Trust's central office, giving families a direct route to the setting they are considering.