Nursery at St John Fisher Catholic Primary School, Littlemore

At the June 2023 inspection, summer weather became a lesson in language: nursery children learned about the season and developed words for describing heat. That concrete example captures the provision’s character, connecting something children recognise with vocabulary they can use.

St Nicholas is the nursery class within St John Fisher Catholic Primary School in Littlemore, Oxford. It belongs to a Catholic school that welcomes applications from families of any faith or background. In June 2023, Ofsted graded early years provision Good. This was an early years judgement within the school inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the learning framework. In parent language, it brings together children’s communication, relationships and movement with early reading, mathematics, creativity and understanding their surroundings. These areas connect: learning words about summer, for example, combines language with learning about the world.

During June 2023, nursery learning included the season of summer and language associated with heat. The emphasis is on building knowledge from the nursery onwards, giving those early conversations a purpose beyond remembering a topic.

Technology is another concrete part of early years learning. Children have access to BeeBots and iPads, with Chromebooks introduced where appropriate. Adults demonstrate careful, safe handling and use challenges to encourage curiosity. The equipment gives children something practical to investigate, alongside adult guidance about how to use it.

The wider school grounds include a large playing field and an area for forest school. These are features of the school site, rather than a description of a dedicated nursery garden.

Familiar routines matter to settling. In June 2023, nursery children became comfortable quickly because their routines were clear. For a child beginning group care, knowing what happens next can make the session easier to understand.

For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), joining can involve a meeting before admission. The class teacher and SEND coordinator can attend transition discussions when a child moves from preschool into nursery, and the teacher visits the child’s existing setting. This gives adults an opportunity to exchange information before the move.

Support also has a continuing structure across the school. Children with identified SEND have a Pupil Profile recording strengths, areas needing help and support strategies. Parents and the class teacher review it at least three times a year. The school works with services including the Early Years SEN team and Speech and Language Service, bringing specialist input into the support process.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority’s coordinated admissions process and also complete the school’s Supplementary Information Form. For Oxfordshire families, the application route is Oxfordshire County Council admissions. Submit the forms by the local authority’s closing date; applying early gives no allocation advantage.

For children needing help with change, the school’s class transition arrangements include teacher handovers, visits during the latter half of the summer term and extra visits for identified pupils. Transition books and social stories can also be used. These are preparation measures, separate from the allocation of places.

The school is on Sandy Lane West, Littlemore, Oxford, OX4 6LD. Nursery enquiries can go to the office on 01865 779676 or office@stjohnfisher.co.uk, or through the contact form. School visits can be arranged by appointment, giving families a direct way to explore the setting before applying.