Nursery at St John's 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.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 nursery place on Wellington Gate puts a child's first school experience within Grove's newer school development. St John's CofE Academy's nursery opened in September 2023, forming part of the primary site of a Church of England academy. The school's age range begins at two, with nursery as its starting point.
The setting was created primarily for families on Wellington Gate, although its purpose extends beyond that development. That gives the nursery a clear local context: it belongs to a school intended to serve the growing neighbourhood, rather than a separate childcare business. St John's is part of Vale Academy Trust and has no Ofsted graded rating yet.
Purpose-built teaching spaces are part of the primary site's character. The school describes its facilities as equipped for teaching and learning, placing nursery within a school designed for that use. This is the physical context for the provision, rather than a claim about the quality of nursery teaching.
Outdoor plans name a Forest School area, alongside fields and spaces for play within the primary grounds. These are school-level plans, so they should be understood as the intended surroundings rather than a promise about a nursery child's session. Their relevance for families is the emphasis on outdoor space in the site's design.
Christian values shape the school's stated aims for children, including independence and confidence. Families of any faith, and families with none, are welcome. A Church of England identity therefore sits alongside an explicitly open welcome, a useful distinction for parents considering how the setting fits their family.
Vale Academy Trust names kindness, respect, integrity, ambition and collaboration among its values. Its inclusion aim is to make everyone feel included and reduce barriers wherever reasonably possible. These are statements of ethos, rather than inspected findings about individual children's care.
Attending this nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately for Reception through the normal application route and meet the normal deadline. Choosing nursery and securing a school place are separate decisions.
The connection to the primary site gives the provision its school setting; it should not be treated as an admissions advantage. For families planning beyond nursery, the practical distinction is simple: a nursery place does not replace the Reception application.
Stanley Hall Road in Grove, Wantage, is the school's address, with postcode OX12 0GR. Nursery enquiries can go to the primary office at office-pri@stjohnsce.vale-academy.org, or by telephone on 01235 933303. These provide direct contact with the school rather than the Trust's central office.
The primary office also handles school admissions enquiries. Keeping that contact alongside the distinction between nursery and Reception helps families manage the two decisions separately.
The nursery opened in September 2023.
It forms part of the primary site on the Wellington Gate development in Grove. The school address is Stanley Hall Road, Grove, Wantage, OX12 0GR.
No. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal route by the normal deadline.
No. The school welcomes families of all faiths and families with none.
Email office-pri@stjohnsce.vale-academy.org or telephone 01235 933303.
