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Nursery at Priory CofE 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A purpose-built Early Years Unit gives Priory’s nursery its own base within the academy: a self-contained, secure setting shared with Reception. There are 39 nursery places, and children can begin their education at Priory from age 3. This is an introduction to school life within a Church of England academy, rather than a separate childcare setting.
Morning attendance and full-time places give families different shapes of day. The morning session runs from 8:45 to 11:45; full-time attendance adds the afternoon and a lunchtime break. For eligible children receiving the additional funded hours, the offer includes an extra 25 minutes for lunch.
Priory describes its learning approach as enquiry-based, encouraging thinking and questions. Alongside the Early Years Unit, the school grounds include separate playgrounds for younger and older pupils, with equipment for outdoor play. The younger children therefore have a play area distinct from that of older pupils.
Teachers, Early Years Practitioners and a Learning Support Assistant work within the Early Years Unit. Its EYFS leader also holds the Forest School lead role, although that role alone should not be read as a promise of a particular nursery timetable.
Food has practical flexibility. An on-site kitchen prepares meals, including vegetarian choices, and can accommodate specific dietary needs. Families should tell the office about a special diet. Nursery children may bring a packed lunch instead, and parents can change between packed lunches and school meals daily by informing the teacher that morning. Early Years children receive milk free of charge, alongside the daily fruit provided for Foundation Stage children.
For additional needs, Priory’s school-wide support includes the Inclusion Hub, a space for emotional support, intervention and regulation. A Pupil Passport records the strengths, needs and targets of children on the SEND Register, with family input and termly reviews. Support may involve speech and language programmes, visual schedules or sensory tools. These are arrangements to match individual needs, so families can discuss the relevant support with staff.
Communication has two routes: Dojo for arranging contact with a teacher, and Arbor for academy emails and text messages. That gives parents a way to organise a conversation as well as receive routine messages.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s admissions route and meet the normal application deadline. Nursery attendance is not a Reception priority criterion; allocation follows the local authority arrangements, including care status, catchment, siblings and distance.
Transition support is a separate matter from admission. Across Priory, support for children with additional needs may include photo books, social stories, extra visits and a gradual transition plan. These can help make a change of class more predictable, but they do not confer an admissions advantage.
The nursery offers 15 funded hours, with another 15 available to eligible families or through paid top-up attendance. Families using paid afternoon sessions pay half-termly in advance; failure to do so can mean losing those sessions. More flexible afternoon bookings can be discussed with the Early Years leader. Ask the academy for current charges and confirm the full-time start and finish times before arranging childcare around them.
Lunch is separate from the funded-hours offer, with a charged meal or packed lunch as the alternatives. Nursery applications go through the city council at www.stoke.gov.uk/admissions; the academy office can be contacted on 01782 233585 for practical enquiries.
Collection normally requires an adult with parental responsibility or an agreed named adult. In exceptional circumstances, a sibling aged 16 or 17 may collect. Tell the office or teacher beforehand if someone different will collect your child. Second-hand uniform is available through the office swap shop, giving families another way to obtain school clothing.
Priory has 39 nursery places within its Early Years Unit.
Morning sessions run from 8:45 to 11:45 for children using the 15-hour funded offer.
Yes. An additional 15 hours is available for eligible families or through paid top-up attendance. Confirm the full-time session times with the academy before booking.
Yes. Children can have a charged school meal or bring a packed lunch. The on-site kitchen also provides vegetarian choices and can cater for specific dietary requirements.
No. Reception admission is separate, and nursery attendance does not confer priority. Apply again through Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s admissions route by the normal deadline.
