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Nursery at St Gregory'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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Stories, rhymes and purposeful talk give this nursery its character. At St Gregory's Catholic Academy in Longton, children begin from age three within the school's early years provision, with Catholic spiritual and moral development woven into their learning. Language gets sustained attention: a weekly book, poem or rhyme and planned vocabulary connect adult-led activities, independent play and learning at home.
This is the school's own nursery. Its curriculum combines play with deliberate teaching, giving children opportunities to explore ideas together and practise expressing themselves.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning to communicate, manage feelings and relationships, and develop physical skills. Alongside those foundations come early reading and writing, maths, creative expression and understanding the world. Children investigate through play, solve problems with others and test their ideas. Circle times provide opportunities to share and celebrate learning.
A focus story runs through the week, with role play and activities that children can return to independently. Adults introduce vocabulary in guided sessions, then model it during everyday routines and play. Indoor and outdoor role play give children places to try new language with their friends. Parents receive the book, rhyme or poem and vocabulary focus, making it possible to revisit that learning at home.
Reading begins early. In June 2023, Ofsted found that a structured phonics programme began in nursery and continued daily across early years. Nursery children also learned words describing the past through a pirate topic, connecting new vocabulary with an imaginative subject. Rocket Phonics is the named programme, and nursery children have access to matched online reading books through Rising Stars.
Maths includes Numicon, which uses sight and touch to help children explore relationships between numbers. That gives early number work a practical form. The combination of stories, conversation and hands-on learning makes the curriculum more specific than a sequence of loosely connected play activities.
A nursery lead forms part of the staffing structure, alongside early years practitioners. Summer-term induction includes weekly play and stay sessions, where stories, rhymes and conversation involve parents as well as children. Adults offer guidance on reading, singing and language development, so these sessions support families' participation in early learning as well as introducing school activities.
Language support starts with screening on entry to nursery using the Stoke Speaks Out Communication Screen. Depending on assessed needs, children may receive a speech and language therapy referral or take part in Language Steps, Time to Talk or Early Talk Boost. These are targeted routes for children who need additional help communicating.
School-wide support includes a SENCO and an Assistant SENCO with the Stoke Autism Advocate role. Parents can contact the SENCO through the office. Classroom doorways accommodate wheelchair access, a concrete consideration for children with mobility needs.
For children attending Night owls, City Catering supplies sandwiches, fruit, a snack and juice. The Care Club accommodates allergies and food cultures, and staff collect nursery children from their classrooms, linking the end of their nursery day with after-school care.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. St Gregory's directs families to Stoke-on-Trent City Council for admissions information. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two separate decisions.
The school office handles enquiries on 01782 254833 or at office@stgca.org.uk. The address is Spring Garden Road, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, ST3 2QN.
Night owls runs from 3.15pm to 5.30pm. Care Club places require advance booking, with forms obtained from and returned to the office or Care Club. Payments are made ahead through Parent Pay; contact the school for current charges. Adults must escort children to the Care Club entrance, and cars cannot use the adjoining car park nearest Edensor Road.
Nursery uniform includes pale blue polo shirts. Clothing must carry the child's name, and nursery children cannot wear jewellery, including earrings and religious necklaces. These details matter when preparing clothing for the first days.
The provision starts from age three.
Summer-term induction includes weekly play and stay sessions involving stories, rhymes and conversation, with guidance for parents on language development.
Children are screened on entry. Depending on their needs, support can include Language Steps, Time to Talk, Early Talk Boost or referral for speech and language therapy.
No. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process.
Night owls includes classroom collection for nursery children and runs from 3.15pm to 5.30pm. Places must be booked in advance.
