St Martin's CofE Junior Infant and Nursery School: Nursery Review

Songs, stories and early number play give St Martin's nursery its character. This is the school's own provision in Fitton Hill, Oldham, with play and relationships shaping the early learning approach. SHINE values bring kindness and resilience into that work, alongside developing children's independence.

Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at its inspection on 1 and 2 October 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play is the main vehicle for learning. The early years foundation stage approach puts its prime areas first: physical development, learning to communicate, and children's social and emotional development. In parent terms, that means movement, conversation, relationships and everyday routines are part of the learning itself. Planned activities encourage children to explore and talk, giving them opportunities to practise these foundations together.

Books feature daily, with rhymes and singing alongside shared stories. Early mathematics takes a similarly practical form: children explore measurement and shapes, spot patterns, sort and count through play. These are introductions to mathematical ideas through things children can do and discuss.

In October 2024, nursery children were engaged in learning from the beginning of their nursery year. They practised listening for sounds, producing sounds and hearing rhyme, building the skills needed before reading. There was a clear development point too: vocabulary teaching did not consistently help some early years children develop their speaking skills as intended. For parents, opportunities to explain ideas and extend conversation deserve attention alongside enjoyment of books.

Relationships and family communication form part of the nursery's approach. Staff work with parents and carers, while play and routines support confidence and independence. The shared early years team provides continuity across nursery and Reception, giving the learning approach a common thread.

During October 2024, children in early years played cooperatively and sensibly together. That matters for children learning how to share activities and spend time with their peers.

For concerns about special educational needs or disabilities, the school's route starts with the class teacher, followed by the SENCO. Its SEND information also directs families to Oldham's Local Offer and POINT's independent SEND advice service. These give parents routes for discussing support and seeking advice beyond the classroom.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal admissions process. The school's admissions page directs online applications through Oldham Council; keep the Reception application separate from nursery arrangements.

Educational continuity is a different matter. Nursery staff work closely with the Reception class, and the early years team works across both stages. This connects the approach to children's learning, but it does not secure admission. Choose the nursery for the experience it provides now, while treating the later school application as a separate decision and process.

The nursery page links to Road to Nursery, a New Nursery Starter Booklet and Uniform information. These are useful starting points when preparing for the move into nursery.

The school is on St Martin's Road in Fitton Hill, Oldham, OL8 2PY. For nursery enquiries, contact the school on 0161 566 7887.