Catforth Primary School Nursery Review

A mud kitchen, story sacks and learning alongside older children give Catforth’s nursery its character. There are 13 nursery places for children aged 3-4, with a qualified teacher teaching the nursery children alongside the Reception cohort. This is an introduction to a shared school classroom rather than a separate nursery setting.

Lions Class brings the two age groups together. For families, that shared arrangement is a practical feature of everyday learning, quite separate from the question of securing a future school place.

Wednesday afternoons bring Forest School; Tuesday afternoons are for PE. Outdoors, the school field contains a dedicated Forest School space with a mud kitchen and a den-building area arranged across different levels. A pond and campfire area add further features. The school sees Forest School as a way for children to practise cooperation and problem-solving while developing confidence and independence.

Early Years Foundation Stage learning includes movement, mathematics and stories. In PE, the early years focus includes developing control of both larger movements and smaller movements. Mathematics uses White Rose Maths, with a mastery approach beginning in nursery: the emphasis is on understanding, reasoning and solving problems, rather than simply producing an answer.

Books have a physical place in the classroom through its reading corner. Nursery story sacks go home each Friday and come back by the following Wednesday, giving families something specific to share between school days. In September 2023, nursery children enjoyed stories and rhymes, making books and spoken language part of their early learning.

Class Dojo gives parents weekly updates about Lions Class learning and a route to message the teacher. Tapestry serves a different purpose: sharing ideas between home and school and celebrating children’s achievements in both places. Together, these give families ways to follow classroom learning and contribute experiences from home.

For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, the school office is the contact route to the SENCo, who is also the deputy headteacher. That provides a clear starting point for discussing support. In September 2023, children in the shared early years class followed adults’ directions and showed consideration towards each other, establishing expectations for learning together.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal Reception admissions process. Lancashire residents must apply through Lancashire County Council, including when their child attends the linked nursery or already has a sibling at the school. The shared classroom does not remove that application requirement.

Day-to-day familiarity is a separate matter. Nursery children already learn with Reception children in Lions Class, so the older age group is part of their existing classroom experience. That arrangement can make the next stage more familiar; it should never be mistaken for an admissions entitlement.

To arrange a nursery tour or make an enquiry, contact the school bursar on 01772 690451. Catforth Primary School is on School Lane in Catforth, Preston, PR4 0HL. A tour gives families an opportunity to consider the shared-class arrangement in person.

Uniform includes a pale blue polo shirt with a royal blue sweatshirt, alongside dark grey trousers, shorts, a skirt or a pinafore. Generic uniform is acceptable, so embroidered items are optional. Willow Farm Embroidery supplies branded clothing, while pre-loved uniform can be obtained through school. Those alternatives give families different ways to put together the required clothing.