St Mary's and St Benedict's RC Primary School Nursery

Stories, songs and learning to play together give the early years provision at St Mary's and St Benedict's its clearest character. The nursery belongs to the Catholic primary school on Brownedge Lane in Bamber Bridge, giving families a preschool option within a school setting.

Ofsted judged the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 14 and 15 January 2025. That judgement covers the early years foundation stage within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating. The useful detail for parents is the emphasis on children's language, relationships and mathematical development.

Learning in the early years foundation stage combines social development with the beginnings of reading and mathematics. In January 2025, children participated enthusiastically in storytelling, singing and rhymes. These activities helped them extend their vocabulary and put unfamiliar words into use. Language learning had a practical purpose: children could rehearse words through activities they enjoyed.

Playing alongside other children also mattered. Adults helped children form friendships, and children cooperated in both play and learning. This gives parents a picture of early education in which getting along with others accompanies learning new skills.

Mathematical understanding developed successfully, while early reading made a positive start. Together, these findings describe learning that attends to both communication and the foundations of number, rather than treating preschool simply as preparation for formal lessons.

Settling was a positive feature of early years in January 2025: children became comfortable with school life promptly. For a parent weighing a first experience of education away from home, that is a useful finding about the start of the child's experience.

Families can speak with the early years class teams or contact the school office. For additional needs, the school's SENDCo is accessible through the office too. This gives parents a direct route to discuss their child's circumstances with the team responsible for coordinating special educational needs and disabilities support.

Across the school, support can include individual learning plans, teaching in small groups or individually, interventions and assistance from external specialists. Teaching assistants are deployed flexibly. These are school-wide arrangements, so discussions about a nursery child's needs should focus on how that support applies to them.

Arrowsmith Room, behind the KS2 hall, is the base for the school's Family Support Worker. Parents with safeguarding concerns can approach any staff member or a designated safeguarding lead.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process.

For entry in September 2027, apply using Lancashire Local Authority's Common Application Form at www.lancashire.gov.uk/schools by 15 January 2027. Parents seeking priority under a criterion requiring additional evidence should also return a Supplementary Information Form to the school. That extra form accompanies the application; families still need to complete the local authority process.

Reception application. Treat the nursery decision and the Reception application as separate tasks. Keep the January deadline in your calendar even if your child already attends the nursery.

The school office handles enquiries on 01772 336650 or at office@smsb.lancs.sch.uk. The address is Brownedge Lane, Bamber Bridge, Preston, PR5 6TA.

For the autumn 2026 start, preschool opened on 7 September 2026. Keep that preschool date distinct from dates applying to older pupils when planning the beginning of attendance.