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Nursery at St Joseph's Catholic Academy
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Learning through play gives this nursery its starting point. St Joseph's Catholic Academy welcomes children aged 3 and 4 into its nursery in Norton, on Ragworth Road. It is part of a Catholic primary school, with a nursery building and its own entrance arrangements.
The school aims to help its youngest children build friendships, settle comfortably and enjoy discovering new things. Encouragement and gentle adult guidance are the nursery team's stated approach. For parents, the emphasis is on those first experiences of learning together: becoming comfortable with other children and developing confidence through play.
Two sessions give the day a clear shape: mornings run from 8.30am to 11.30am, while afternoons run from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. These are distinct nursery hours, so families should plan around the session their child attends.
Within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the focus includes learning to communicate, interact with other children and manage feelings. Staff observe children during play and use those observations to understand their development. This connects the activities children enjoy with decisions about the help they need.
Sensory resources and pictures showing routines form part of the early years learning environment. The school uses these to help children understand what happens next and feel more secure. Outdoor learning also has a physical space of its own: in May 2023, Ofsted identified investment in the early years outdoor area and a positive start to children's learning.
Early years staff work with health professionals, early years advisers and speech and language therapists when supporting children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Parents' concerns about development are part of the process, and the SENCO coordinates additional provision. Children receiving support are included in activities with their peers.
Support follows a cycle of assessing needs, planning help, putting it into practice and reviewing progress. Families with SEND support plans meet the class teacher each term to discuss progress and agree the next steps. That gives parents a recurring opportunity to explain what is working for their child.
Support targets. In May 2023, Ofsted found that some school SEND plans used targets that were too broad to measure reliably. This was a school-wide concern; families considering additional support should pay attention to how clearly their child's goals describe the progress being sought.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place or confer admissions priority for September 2027. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority, using its Common Application Form, by 15 January 2027.
Transition support has a separate purpose. Children can meet their next class teacher towards the end of the summer term. Those needing extra help can have personalised booklets containing photographs of staff and learning spaces, alongside explanations of routines. These help children prepare for change; they do not alter the admissions decision.
For the morning session, the nursery gate opens at 8.25am and the door opens at 8.30am. Families queue outside the nursery building off Ragworth Road, an arrangement intended to reduce congestion.
Enquiries go to the school office on 01642 360401 or office@stjosephsnorton.bhcet.org.uk. Parents with concerns about additional needs can contact the SENCO through the same office.
Children aged 3 and 4 are welcomed into the nursery.
The morning session runs from 8.30am to 11.30am. The afternoon session runs from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.
No. Nursery attendance neither guarantees a place nor confers priority for September 2027. A separate application must be made through the home local authority by 15 January 2027.
Early years staff use observation and assessment through play, work with relevant specialists and involve parents. SEND support plans are reviewed with families each term.
Contact the school office on 01642 360401 or email office@stjosephsnorton.bhcet.org.uk.
