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Nursery at St Margaret Clitherow Catholic 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Stories, conversation and children’s own choices shape the early years here. Nursery places are for three and four-year-olds within St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Primary School in Bestwood Park, Nottingham. The class is known as Foundation 1, placing it within the school’s early years provision.
Catholic identity reaches into nursery life through collective worship. The school aims to connect its values with children’s everyday experiences, so families are choosing a faith-based setting as well as an introduction to school learning.
Play is the starting point. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together seven connected areas of learning; here, planning combines half-termly topics with observations of children’s interests and development. Development Matters guides the teaching. In practical terms, children have opportunities to choose activities and make decisions, alongside experiences organised by adults.
Language receives deliberate attention. Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised provides the approach to early phonics, with nursery foundations built through poems, shared stories, action rhymes and listening activities. Focused listening and oral blending sit alongside stories and rhymes in the nursery’s foundations for phonics.
A reading corner is accessible during daily free-flow time, with its books changed regularly. Learning also extends outdoors: the early years environment includes inside and outside spaces. Children can explore art materials in EYFS, giving them another way to express ideas alongside talk and books.
At the June 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that early years learning had a coherent curriculum, suitable activities and purposeful adult conversation that expanded children’s vocabulary. Children participated in learning and understood the routines. For parents, the useful combination is choice within a recognisable structure.
Communication about books starts in nursery. Children have a home reading record where parents can add comments and adults at school respond regularly. This gives families a practical way to share how reading is going at home.
For additional needs, families can contact the school’s special educational needs coordinator through the office or their child’s teacher. The school aims to make learning accessible to children with SEND. A designated safeguarding team also handles concerns about children’s safety, health and wellbeing, providing a clear contact route when a family needs support.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Nottingham City Council and meet the deadline for their admission year. For the 2026 entry cycle, the closing date was 15 January 2026; that cycle is now past.
Applicants whose child is a baptised Catholic must also return the supplementary form and a copy of the baptism certificate to the school before the closing date. Keep that additional step alongside the council application.
The F1 timetable starts at 8.45am and finishes at 3.15pm, with lunch scheduled from 11.45am to 12.45pm. These times give families the daily framework for planning journeys and collection.
Nursery enquiries can go to the school office on 0115 915 0296 or admin@st-margaretclitherow.nottingham.sch.uk. Personal school tours can be arranged using the visit form, after which the office contacts families to agree a date and time. A tour includes the early years spaces and an opportunity to meet staff.
Nursery places are for three and four-year-olds within the school.
Children share stories and poems, learn nursery and action rhymes, and practise listening and oral blending through the nursery foundations of Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised.
F1 starts at 8.45am and finishes at 3.15pm. Lunch runs from 11.45am to 12.45pm.
No. Families must apply separately through Nottingham City Council for their Reception admission year. Baptised Catholic applicants also need the supplementary form and baptism certificate.
Yes. Complete the personal tour form and the school office will contact you to arrange a date and time.
