St Peter's Church of England Primary School: Nursery & The Ark

Songs, conversation and energetic outdoor play give St Peter's early years provision its character. The Ark caters for two-year-olds, while Nursery serves children aged three and four. Both belong to the school's Foundation Stage in Brotton, with class teachers and teaching assistants working across Ark and Nursery.

The school places Christian values behind its approach, including Courage and Friendship. Its early years aim is to help children become independent and curious through practical activities and play they initiate themselves. Early years provision received a Good judgement at the Ofsted inspection on 27 and 28 September 2022. That is an early years judgement within the school inspection.

Communication takes centre stage. Children hear stories, sing and practise rhymes, while adults introduce vocabulary and talk with them during play. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) emphasis here is on the foundations children need first: communicating, developing physical skills and learning to manage feelings and relationships. Sharing and taking turns give those skills a practical purpose in children's games.

Outside, children dig, ride bikes and practise catching; climbing and running add bigger physical challenges. Nursery children also have gymnastics each week with a qualified instructor. Dough gym and squiggling sit alongside construction activities and practice spreading with knives. These give small hands different ways to develop strength and control.

Staff training includes SHREC, an approach to extending language through responsive conversation and shared thinking. Early Talk Boost provides targeted language support, alongside BLAST for speaking, listening and understanding. During summer 2026, enrichment included a subsidised visit to Kirkleatham Museum's Dinosaur Exhibition and a family sports afternoon. Such experiences give children something concrete to discuss together.

There is an inspection caveat. In September 2022, some foundation-subject planning did not make the progression from early years through the school sufficiently clear. Revising that sequence was an improvement priority, relevant to how nursery learning develops into later knowledge.

Relationships are part of the settling process. Adults support children as they become accustomed to Ark and Nursery, with help for toileting and transitions as well as recognising feelings and managing emotions. In September 2022, children starting at two quickly became familiar with routines and ways of relating to other people.

For children needing additional help with communication, Wellcomm supports screening and assessment so staff can identify language needs. Parents participate in termly reviews when their child has a School Support Plan, giving families a regular opportunity to discuss targets and support. A disabled toilet in the Nursery lobby is a concrete accessibility feature close to the provision.

Family participation extends beyond meetings. Rhymetime, Christmas crafts and Easter crafts featured in the autumn 2025 and spring 2026 programme, bringing parents and carers into singing and making activities.

Reception admission is separate. Attending Ark or Nursery does not guarantee a Reception place at St Peter's. Families must apply again through the normal Reception admissions process and meet its deadline; nursery enrolment should not be treated as the school-place application.

Support with change is a separate matter. Ark and Nursery staff help children with transitions, while the school's SEND transition arrangements include additional visits, meetings with receiving staff and the transfer of support information. These arrangements help prepare children for a change of class or setting; they do not secure admission.

Ark morning sessions run from 8:30am to 11:30am, with afternoons from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. Nursery afternoons have the same hours. Nursery mornings run from 8:30am to 11:30am. Confirm morning drop-off and collection times with the office before booking.

Children aged three and four can attend for up to 15 funded hours each week; some eligible families can access 30 hours, comprising 15 standard and 15 additional hours. Eligible two-year-olds can receive up to 15 hours in The Ark, from the term after their second birthday until the start of the term after their third. Paid Ark places are also offered. Contact the school for current charges.

An expression of interest can be submitted by email or on paper. Visits to either provision can be arranged through the office on 01287 676210, giving families a direct enquiry route before applying.