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Nursery at St John's Cathedral 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Play, curiosity and learning to listen give this nursery its clearest character. St John's Cathedral Catholic Primary School has its own Nursery class in Cottage View, Portsmouth, with funded provision for children aged 3 and 4. It belongs to a Catholic primary school, so families are choosing an early years setting within that wider faith community.
Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 12 and 13 July 2022. That judgement covers early years within the school rather than a separate nursery inspection. At that time, Nursery children attended both part time and full time.
Learning through play and curiosity is the nursery's stated approach. Within the early years foundation stage, the July 2022 findings give language a clear emphasis: staff prioritised children's developing communication from the beginning of their school experience. For parents, that makes learning to express ideas and understand others a significant part of the educational picture.
Social learning matters too. In July 2022, early years children listened carefully to one another, shared and waited for their turn. These are practical skills for participating in a group, as well as foundations for learning together. The early years curriculum was the strongest part of the school's curriculum, with ambitious expectations for children's learning.
Catholic themes also reach the nursery through shared experiences. Nursery children took part in a day with Rise Theatre exploring care for God's creation. It is a concrete example of how the school's faith connects with a subject young children can explore: looking after the world around them.
Families can contact the acting special educational needs coordinator through the school office email. Portsmouth Local Offer, Portsmouth Parent Voice and Portsmouth SENDIASS are also support routes signposted to families, giving parents named starting points for advice beyond the setting.
A designated safeguarding lead and a deputy provide routes for raising concerns about a child's welfare. Parents are asked to contact them promptly for concerns or advice about keeping a child safe.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place at St John's. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for a school place as two separate decisions.
Funding includes 15 hours for families in England with children aged 3 and 4, over 38 weeks, totalling 570 hours annually. Working families with children of those ages can access the 30-hour offer, totalling 1,140 hours annually, subject to its code requirements.
For the 30-hour offer, a child can start in the term after turning 3 and receiving a valid code, whichever happens later. Families can apply for that code up to 16 weeks before the third birthday and must reconfirm their details every 3 months. Meals, consumables, extra hours and additional activities fall outside that funding, so funded attendance does not necessarily cover every element of the day.
Nursery application forms are available, including paper copies from the office. Enquiries can go to admin@stjohns.portsmouth.sch.uk or 02392 821055; a contact form provides another route.
The nursery offers funded provision for children aged 3 and 4.
The nursery describes learning through play and curiosity. In July 2022, early years learning emphasised language, alongside sharing, taking turns and listening to others.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a place. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process.
There is a 15-hour offer over 38 weeks for families in England with children aged 3 and 4, and a 30-hour offer for working families with children of those ages, subject to code requirements. The 30-hour funding excludes meals, consumables, extra hours and additional activities.
Contact the school office at admin@stjohns.portsmouth.sch.uk or call 02392 821055. Paper nursery application forms are available from the office.
