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Nursery at St George's Catholic Primary School, Bells Close
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Farm-animal sounds, water experiments and a trim trail give St George’s nursery day a practical character. Nursery belongs to the early years provision at this Catholic primary school in Bell’s Close, Newcastle, where the school’s age range begins at three. A class teacher has responsibility for Nursery and Reception, placing the nursery within the school’s early years teaching structure.
Ofsted judged early years provision Good following its inspection on 12 and 13 March 2024. At that point, children were building early reading skills securely, staff understood their learning needs, and familiar routines supported considerate behaviour. These are findings about early years within the school inspection.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings language, number and creative learning into children’s activities. English teaching in early years uses shorter, age-appropriate lessons, with opportunities to listen, respond and extend vocabulary. Maths combines focused teaching with opportunities to use number skills in everyday situations. This gives children different ways to practise what they are learning.
The detail is tangible. In May 2026, nursery phonics involved matching farm animals with their sounds. Earlier that spring, early years children retold Rosie’s Walk using words about position, then tackled an obstacle course linked to the story. For Science Week, Floating Dinosaur Rescue challenged them to raise a dinosaur in a partly filled bucket without touching it; magnets provided another way to test materials. Stories became movement and investigation.
April 2026 activities included moving water through trays and tubes, exploring doubles and equal amounts through a penalty shootout, and practising agility and balance on the trim trail. Children also explored a new classroom environment. These examples connect indoor experimentation with physical activity outdoors.
Catholic learning starts in nursery through Come and See, transitioning into The Way, alongside daily worship. In March 2026, early years children planted seeds, considered water and sunlight, and made an Easter Garden with handmade crosses. Faith and practical learning sit alongside each other.
In March 2024, the early years environment was deliberately arranged to interest children, with vocabulary development a clear focus. Predictable routines helped children understand the day. Across the school, however, some subjects needed clearer decisions about essential knowledge and vocabulary, alongside further teacher development. That improvement action was school-wide rather than a separate nursery judgement.
Families can discuss additional needs with the acting SEND coordinator through the school office. School support includes visual timetables, quieter areas with fewer distractions, and speech and language groups. Families of children with higher levels of special educational needs have termly reviews, allowing support to be reconsidered together.
Parent involvement has included a Nursery Reading Workshop in March 2026. Arbor supports school and home communication, including appointments for parent meetings; longer discussions can be arranged through the office. Nursery’s class teacher holds an Early Childhood and Curriculum Studies degree and Early Years Professional Status.
For the 2025-26 academic year, school lunches were prepared on site, with meal choices made in advance and a healthy packed-lunch alternative. Those arrangements describe that year; ask the school for current charges.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal application route and meet the deadline for their entry year. Keep this application separate from the nursery decision.
Nursery and Reception share a class teacher’s remit. That teaching structure is distinct from admissions and should not be treated as an entitlement to a place.
The early years timetable runs from 8.45am to 11.30am in the morning, with lunch from 11.30am to 12.30pm and afternoon learning from 12.30pm to 3.15pm. These times describe the early years day.
Wraparound eligibility. Breakfast and after-school clubs admit children from Reception to Year 6. Families choosing nursery should plan childcare around that age restriction.
Nursery enquiries go through the school office at office@stgcps.org or 0191 267 5677. Nursery applications have their own form, alongside information about applying for 30 hours of free childcare.
No. Families need to apply separately for Reception through the normal route and meet the deadline for their entry year.
Morning learning is 8.45am to 11.30am, lunchtime is 11.30am to 12.30pm, and afternoon learning is 12.30pm to 3.15pm.
In May 2026, nursery children practised identifying farm animals by their sounds.
The breakfast and after-school provision is for children from Reception to Year 6, so nursery children fall outside that eligibility.
Contact the acting SEND coordinator through the school office on 0191 267 5677 or email office@stgcps.org.
