Early Years

St. Mary’s offers a warm and inviting environment, which provides a friendly, caring atmosphere for the girls to begin establishing their early learning skills. Girls join the Nursery department at the age of three and the stimulating curriculum is planned in accordance with the Foundation Stage Profile. From the beginning the girls can take advantage of the school’s facilities for Music, PE and ICT.


The Early Years staff are experts at helping new pupils to settle in quickly and easily. From day one they establish a rapport with the girls that helps them develop self-confidence and enthusiasm. The carefully constructed schedule develops the girls’ skills through play-based activities.

Close links are maintained with parents through day to day contact as well as more formal meetings. Parents are updated on their daughter’s progress and informed about the phonics teaching which is integral to the curriculum.

The Early Years classes are fully integrated with the rest of Junior House for events such as Harvest Festival, Carol Service and Sports Day.