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Nursery at Our Lady and St Benedict 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Forest School gives nursery children time learning outdoors. At the inspection on 28 and 29 November 2023, daily stories also featured across the school’s early years. Nursery belongs to the academy’s Foundation Stage Unit in Abbey Hulton, alongside Reception. It is part of a Catholic school that welcomes families of all denominations, so faith is a practical consideration for parents choosing the provision.
Children start in September after their third birthday. This is a school-based introduction to learning, with a Foundation Stage playground and a separate entrance at the rear of the building. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 28 and 29 November 2023. That judgement covers early years across the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Development Matters guides the Foundation Stage curriculum. The early years foundation stage brings together learning to communicate, move confidently and build relationships with early reading, number work, creative expression and discovering how the world works. Those strands give parents a useful picture of the learning priorities: personal development sits alongside the first steps towards literacy and mathematics.
Books have a daily place. In November 2023, children across early years heard selected stories every day and were getting off to a strong start with reading. Cooperation and persistence were also evident from early years onwards. For a nursery child, the combination matters: listening to a story, working with others and continuing with a task are all part of learning to participate.
Forest School takes each class into the academy grounds for half a day during one term each year. A wildlife area supports that work, within a site surrounded by mature trees. It gives outdoor learning a defined place in the curriculum. Old clothes are recommended for Forest School. Children need suitable footwear, plus waterproof trousers and a jacket for wet conditions, so families can prepare for mud and rain.
Catholic learning has concrete visual tools too. Animal mascots introduce Catholic Social Teaching principles to children in EYFS. These give the youngest children pictures to connect with otherwise abstract ideas about how people treat one another.
Parents can discuss concerns with the class teacher and arrange contact with the SEND coordinator through the office. Children referred for SEND support have an individual learning passport, which informs classroom planning and is reviewed regularly. Parents remain involved in that process, giving them a route to discuss both support and progress.
Communication also includes parent meetings and an annual progress report. Wheelchair ramps serve both academy entrances, and accessible toilet facilities are at the Foundation Stage end of the building. These are practical features for families considering their child’s access needs.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the relevant deadline. The Reception application route is www.stoke.gov.uk/admissions; alternatively, families can return the Reception application form to the school office.
Nursery and Reception share the Foundation Stage Unit and follow Development Matters. That shared organisation is distinct from admission: choosing the nursery should never be treated as securing the next school place.
Nursery’s lunch break runs from 11:30 to 12:45, followed by an afternoon session from 12:45 to 15:00. Access to the Foundation Stage entrance is via the path from the main playground between 08:50 and 09:00. Nursery children also use their own exit at collection.
Foundation Stage winter uniform includes a pale blue polo, an academy jumper or cardigan and grey bottoms. Black shoes should be easy for children to fasten themselves, a small practical detail that supports independence. If another adult will collect a child, parents must tell the academy before 14:00 that day.
For enquiries, contact the office on 01782 234646 or office@olsbprimary.org.uk. Families can arrange an appointment to view the academy.
Children can start in September after they turn three.
Nursery follows Development Matters within the Foundation Stage Unit, combining communication, physical and social development with literacy, mathematics, creativity and understanding the world.
Each class has half a day of Forest School during one term each year, within the academy grounds.
No. Reception requires a separate application. Families can apply through www.stoke.gov.uk/admissions or return the Reception application form to the school office.
Speak to the class teacher first. A meeting with the SEND coordinator can also be arranged through the school office.
