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Nursery at St Benet's Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Books, songs and rhymes give St Benet's nursery its clearest character: an introduction to learning with language taking a central role. This is the nursery within St Benet's Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Primary School on Fulwell Road in Sunderland, with Catholic teaching forming part of its educational approach.
The nursery teacher also holds the EYFS leadership role, and a nursery support staff member is listed separately. That connects classroom teaching with responsibility for the school's early years provision.
Shared stories, singing and rhymes are the nursery's starting point for reading. These give children ways to enjoy words before formal reading develops. At the inspection on 30 April and 1 May 2024, Ofsted found that early years activities supported both learning and enjoyment, with particular attention to children's communication and language. The emphasis is on helping children express themselves and understand others.
Come and See is the school's Catholic religious education programme, with a nursery curriculum overview included alongside it. Its teaching moves through Explore, Reveal and Respond, linking children's experiences with faith. For families, Catholic education is therefore part of the curriculum rather than simply the school's identity.
Relationships and Health Education also has a nursery overview. The school links this subject to friendships, family relationships and wellbeing, and uses My Happy Mind alongside its programme. These are useful indications of the topics children encounter as they learn about themselves and other people.
Food comes with practical routines. Nursery children receive fresh fruit each day through the Government Fruit Scheme, and children are encouraged to bring a water bottle bearing their name. The school kitchen prepares lunches on site each day; packed lunches are also permitted. This gives families a choice of lunch arrangements.
Packed lunches should contain healthy food, with sweets and fizzy drinks excluded. Hot food in flasks is also prohibited because of handling and spillage risks. The school operates a nut-free policy covering snacks as well as lunches, so families need to account for that when packing food. Changes to lunch arrangements require at least two weeks' notice to the office.
For additional needs, the staff structure includes a SENCO and SEND support. These provide identified roles for families raising concerns about their child's support.
Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Choosing the nursery and applying for school are separate decisions.
Nursery entry is between 8.30am and 8.40am, using the Nursery and Reception gate. Collection is at 3.30pm from the same gate. Those are the nursery's own timings, so families should plan their journey around them.
The 2025/2026 uniform policy specified a light blue polo with a royal blue cardigan or jumper, accepting plain clothing as well as items bearing the logo. It also listed Thursday as nursery PE day, with children wearing their kit to school. Total Sport in Hendon was the named supplier, while pre-loved uniform and PE clothing were offered at Fulwell library.
For nursery enquiries, contact the school office on 0191 5492020. Refer to the school for current charges.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the normal admissions process.
Entry is between 8.30am and 8.40am, and collection is at 3.30pm. Both use the Nursery and Reception gate.
Nursery children share books, songs and rhymes, introducing them to language and the enjoyment of stories.
Yes. Nursery children are offered fresh fruit daily through the Government Fruit Scheme.
Contact the school office on 0191 5492020 for nursery enquiries.
