St Paul's Nursery School
About St Paul's Nursery School
St Paul’s Nursery School is the only state nursery in York, which makes its headline metrics impossible to compare against a local average for its type — there simply isn’t another school to measure against. What we can say is that it holds a Good rating from Ofsted, a grade it has maintained across both its most recent inspections. The school’s most recent graded inspection, in June 2018, rated overall effectiveness as Good, with leadership and management also judged Good. An ungraded inspection in September 2023 confirmed the school continues to meet that standard. With just 61 pupils on roll and a low proportion of children eligible for free school meals (6. 7%), this is a small, stable setting. The headteacher, Claire Rigden, leads a team that has kept the school consistently well-regarded since its previous Outstanding rating in 2013, though the current grade reflects a shift in Ofsted’s criteria rather than a drop in quality.
Key Details
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
26 Sept 2023Latest monitoring visit (26 Sept 2023): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 25 Jul 2018. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
SEND Support
Resourced ProvisionSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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Frequently Asked Questions About St Paul's Nursery School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications
School Open Days Calendar 2026/27
When open days happen and what to look for