The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Nursery at St Thomas of Canterbury RC 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Conversation, stories and learning to listen give this nursery its character. CAN DO music develops attention, while books travel home through the Lending Library twice a week. These are practical ways to connect classroom learning with family life.
Nursery forms part of the Early Years provision at St Thomas of Canterbury RC Primary School in Higher Broughton, Salford. Entry begins in September after a child's third birthday. Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 6 and 7 December 2023; this judgement covers early years within the school.
Adult teaching and children's own play share the timetable. Small groups and individual teaching introduce skills and vocabulary, with opportunities to use them through exploration indoors and outside. Mark-making materials are accessible in both environments, giving children places to experiment with pictures, lines and the meanings they want to express.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum uses Development Matters 2021. Its starting points are communication, physical development and children's social and emotional skills: understanding others, expressing needs and becoming more independent. Think Equal adds weekly work on relationships and emotions. Move With brings games and gymnastics into physical learning.
Reading begins with listening. Little Wandle Phonics in Nursery develops awareness of sounds and oral blending, while daily story sessions make time for enjoying books. Storytime Boxes hold texts linked to learning; families can also follow the Library Trail from the playground to choose books in the school library. That gives parents a concrete way to continue the story at home.
Mathematics includes three adult-led sessions each week alongside daily spoken and mental activities. Number and shape are also explored through indoor and outdoor play. Early writing has its own preparation: children practise anticlockwise circles and vertical lines, alongside the movements and hand control needed to make deliberate marks.
Settling begins before the first school day. A welcome meeting introduces the EYFS team and explains school meals and ParentPay. Children are invited for a summer morning in their new classroom, and a Welcome to Nursery social story uses photographs to introduce the people and surroundings they will meet. Home visits include an all about me booklet, giving families a way to share their child's needs and interests.
During the first Nursery term, WELLCOMM assessments identify speech and language priorities, which shape focus-group sessions. EYFS staffing also includes speech and language support. Termly parent meetings discuss progress and next steps, while Storytelling and Mark Making into Writing workshops help parents understand classroom learning.
Health routines include a handwashing workshop with school nurses and the Greater Manchester toothbrushing Programme. Children can brush once daily at school with parental consent.
Learning alongside peers. In December 2023, some children with SEND in early years occasionally missed learning and interaction with classmates, limiting aspects of their development. The improvement action was to enable learning together wherever possible. For families considering additional support, participation with classmates matters alongside individual teaching.
Attending Nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the deadline for their entry year. Salford residents apply through Salford's admissions service; Manchester and Bury residents apply through their own local authority.
For the September 2026 entry cycle, the closing date was 15 January 2026. That deadline has passed. Treat the Reception application as a separate family task, even while your child is attending Nursery.
The school timetable gives hours of 8.45am to 3.15pm from September 2024, with Nursery lunch scheduled from noon to 1.30pm. Collection is from the classroom. Parents arranging another adult to collect must tell the teacher that morning; changes during the day go through the school office.
For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 0161 470 2660. The Early Years Provision Tour and Play, Learn and Grow Together video offer an introduction to the learning environment.
Places begin in September following the child's third birthday.
Nursery uses Little Wandle Phonics for listening to sounds and oral blending, alongside daily stories. Lending Library books go home twice a week.
The process includes a parent welcome meeting, a summer classroom morning, a photographic Welcome to Nursery social story and home visits with an all about me booklet.
No. A separate Reception application is required through the normal admissions route, by the deadline for the relevant entry year.
Staff use WELLCOMM during the first Nursery term to identify communication priorities and adapt focus-group sessions.
