'Pupils enjoy their learning, and they thrive at this inclusive and friendly school.' (Ofsted 2025)

 

At St. Paul's CE Primary School we provide an environment that is enriched in real life experiences. Our Early Years Educators are inspired by the Reggio Emelia approach where we believe the environment is the third teacher. Our environment inspires children to investigate their interests. Educators encourage children to use language to explore, question and observe an opportunity to learn collaboratively. We believe early years is the foundation for later success which is why we provide a high-quality education where “Horizons are broadened and dreams are pursued.” (Ofsted 2018) Our children are encouraged to explore, reflect and strive to live by our embedded Christian values. This allows educators to teach and children to learn in a safe, trusting environment which is rooted in mutual respect.

 

Welcome from our Early Years Lead

Welcome to St Paul’s Early Years- we can’t wait to meet you!

Here at St Paul’s we cherish every child as an individual and we see it as our duty to ensure that they leave our Early Years as happy, capable, resilient and confident learners.

We encourage curiousity and respond to the individual interests and needs of our children to create an inspirational curriculum and learning environment rooted in experiential learning opportunities.

Through building positive relationships between our staff and children, which are rooted in our school’s Christian Values, we believe that children flourish and reach their full potential through their love of play thus creating the foundation for positive lifelong learning.

Strong relationships between staff and parents are pivotal to inspire the smallest seeds to flourish and afford our children the opportunity to grow many different branches, each unique in their own way.

We look forward to you joining our St. Paul’s family.

Mrs Devine, Early Years Lead.

 

Information for New Starters

 At St. Paul’s we offer 15 hour and 30 hour nursery places, depending on eligibility. As well as 45 reception places which are applied for through Sunderland local authority.

 

Parent Partnerships

When your child joins Nursery or Reception, we build on the foundations which you have laid and look forward to working in partnership with you.

• We have an open door policy where we encourage parents to approach our helpful staff, concerning any issues involving their child.

• Your child will be assigned a ‘Key Person’ who will work closely with them, gaining an in-depth knowledge and understanding of their needs. They will also work closely with parents and carers.

• We value and actively encourage parents to work alongside us as partners in their child’s education.

• We will be hosting events which aim to demonstrate how we teach your child specific concepts, so you can support their learning at home.

 

Key Person

Children thrive through loving and secure relationships, this is normally provided by a child’s parents/carers, but it can also be provided by a key person.

A Key Person is a named member of staff with responsibilities for a small group of children who helps those children in the group feel safe and cared for.

It involves the Key Person in responding sensitively to children’s feelings and behaviours and meeting emotional needs by giving reassurance, such as when they are new to a setting or class, and supporting the child’s well-being.

That person is a familiar figure who is accessible and available as a point of contact for parents and one who builds relationships with the child and parents or carers.

 

School Uniform

St Paul’s CE Primary School Uniform can be purchased direct from the following supplier:

ACE Workwear, 13 Blind Lane, Silksworth, Sunderland, SR3 1AT

http://www.aceworkwearsunderland.com/?page_id=3380

Please Note: Only Reception need a PE kit

 

Waterproofs and Wellies

We recommend that parents buy their child a waterproof and wellies. All children must wear one of these to access the outdoor area. We have limited waterproofs available. Waterproofs will be kept at school and sent home at the end of the year. We have availability to launder a small selection.  

 

School Dinners

Please Note: Reception receive free school lunch.

Full-time nursery children can stay for lunch at a cost of £5.10 per day. This price includes lunch and childcare over the lunchtime period.  (£25.50 per week for 30 hours Nursery places)

 

Free School Meals

Additional Pupil Premium Funding for School
Please apply if you get any of the qualifying benefits as we can get extra funding.

• Income Support

• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

• income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• the guaranteed element of Pension Credit

• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)

• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit

• Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

• If you aren’t sure if you are eligible, please contact one of the team @ Together for Children on 0191 561 1417.

You can also email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

Practical Advice

• Please clearly name any items of clothing which belong to your child e.g. coats, wellington boots and jumpers.

• Please do not dress your child in expensive or designer clothing; we use glue, paint, water and your child will have access to outdoor play whatever the weather!

• Each week we ask for a voluntary contribution of £1. This is used to fund cookery ingredients and new resources etc. and is greatly appreciated.

• You may wish to send in spare clothes for your child in case of an accident. If they are changed in school clothes, we would appreciate them being returned as soon as possible.

 

Attendance

Everyday counts towards your child’s educational development and we do monitor attendance in Early Years, which includes nursery pupils even though this is non-statutory education.

If your child is poorly, please inform us by ringing the school office as soon as possible.  If we do not get a message, school will contact you to find out why your child is absent. 

 

Nursery and Reception Hours

Children attend nursery on either a 15-hour place or a 30 hour place per week (subject to eligibility).

The 15 hour places are either 5 mornings 8.50- 12:50 or 5 afternoons 12.20 -3.20. The 30 hour places are 8.50-3.20 for 5 days per week.

We also offer Breakfast Club (8.00-8.50) every day for an additional charge.

Additionally, children can stay at our after-school childcare (The Den) Monday to Friday. A member of staff will collect your child from the early years setting and take them to The Den classroom at 3:20pm. Parents can collect their child from The Den between 3:20pm-5:30pm for an additional charge. Children are provided with a packed tea during this time.

Children must be collected from early years by a named adult. You will register a collection password for your child at the beginning of the academic year. If you are unable to collect your child, please let us know who will be coming and provide the adult with your child’s unique password.