St Luke's Church of England Aided Primary School Nursery Review

Rhymes, songs and play give early learning its character at St Luke's, where the nursery forms part of a Church of England primary school in Blakenhall, Wolverhampton. The school's age range begins at three. For families choosing this provision, the focus is the first stage of learning within a school community.

Stories provide a concrete picture of the early years day. Ofsted's inspection on 19 and 20 November 2024 found that children enjoyed books through singing, rhyming and play, and were developing their capacity to concentrate and listen while adults read. These activities connect enjoyment of language with the practice of paying attention to a story.

Learning Together sessions give parents an opportunity to observe their child's learning during the school day. The school plans at least two for each year group across an academic year. Rather than relying only on a conversation about progress, families can see the activities and teaching for themselves.

Language and writing. The November 2024 school-level improvement priorities concerned consistent teaching of early writing and further help for pupils beginning to learn English. Some pupils needed more preparation through talk before tackling activities; others needed better support with letter formation, spelling and sentences. These are school-wide concerns, rather than separate nursery judgements, but they make language development a useful focus for parent conversations.

Milk is available during nursery sessions, and children receive water bottles. St Luke's also participates in the Fruit project for Early Years and Key Stage 1 children. These are specific parts of the food and drink provision relevant to younger children.

For additional needs, the school's SENCo works alongside an assistant SENCo. Links include the Special Needs Early Years team, educational psychology, outreach and SEND support teachers. That gives families identifiable routes into specialist discussion, including support concerned specifically with the early years.

Welfare concerns can be raised with adults at school. The safeguarding policy describes discussion with parents and seeking consent for referrals, with exceptions where this could increase risk or interfere with police or social care enquiries. Families should understand that communication sits alongside the duty to protect a child.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route by the applicable deadline. Treat the nursery choice and the later school application as separate decisions.

St Luke's Admission Arrangements page links to City of Wolverhampton Council Admissions and the school's admission policies. Use the arrangements for the relevant entry year when preparing that separate application.

The Admissions Letters page includes an Application for Nursery. Enquiries can go to the school office on 01902 556434 or stlukesprimaryschool@wolverhampton.gov.uk. The school is on Park Street South, Blakenhall, Wolverhampton, WV2 3AE.

Pre-loved school uniform can be obtained through the office. Paper versions of website information can also be requested free of charge, giving families an alternative to using the online documents.