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Nursery at Archbishop Runcie CofE First 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Books, play and carefully timed adult support give Archbishop Runcie’s early years provision its character. The nursery belongs to the Church of England first school on Christon Road in Gosforth, with children eligible to start in the term after turning three. It is a school-based beginning, with nursery children using their own classroom doors.
Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 10 and 11 December 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Early years learning combines adult-guided activities with children’s own play. In December 2024, books helped shape the early years curriculum, connecting the learning to carefully selected reading material. Adult direction and play both had a deliberate place. For parents, the useful distinction is that play sits alongside teaching rather than taking the place of it.
Staff understood what children could already do and used that knowledge to choose focused learning tasks at the right time. This gives adult involvement a clear purpose: support responds to a child’s starting point. The balance matters for a young child who needs space to play as well as help with the next step in their learning.
In December 2024, children and early years staff had friendly, warm relationships. Adults knew the children individually, providing a personal basis for their teaching and support.
For children identified with special educational needs, the school uses Individual Education Plans (IEPs) and supporting resources. These set out the child’s learning barriers, the help required and specific targets. Reviews take place three times a year alongside the school’s progress meetings, giving families a recurring point at which to discuss development.
Within the school’s SEND arrangements, the class teacher usually acts as key worker unless the child’s documentation specifies someone else. That role coordinates planning, assessment and support, giving the family a consistent contact across the professionals involved.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Newcastle City Council, following the normal application route and deadline for their child’s entry year.
For the September 2026 entry cycle, the council’s application deadline was 15 January 2026. That deadline has passed. Treat the nursery decision and the Reception application as two separate steps, rather than assuming that starting here reserves a later school place.
Nursery applications are handled by the school itself. Subject to space, there are entry points in April, September and January. Applications submitted outside the advertised application periods can still be considered, so the intake structure is not confined to those deadlines.
The morning entry window runs from 8:35am to 8:45am, with nursery children using classroom doors. Parents can speak to staff at the doors when needed. After 8:45am, late arrivals go through the main office and are signed in with a reason for lateness. These arrangements make the handover route clear.
For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 0191 2852663 or email admin@archbishop.newcastle.sch.uk.
Children can start in the term after their third birthday. April, September and January intakes depend on space.
Early years learning combines adult-guided activities with children’s play. Books support the curriculum, and staff choose focused tasks using their knowledge of each child.
No. A separate application through Newcastle City Council is required for Reception.
The school uses Individual Education Plans for children identified with special educational needs. These include individual targets and are reviewed three times a year.
Contact the school office on 0191 2852663 or admin@archbishop.newcastle.sch.uk. The school manages its own nursery applications.
