Wootey Junior School Review 2026: Calm, ambitious junior education in Alton

Because this is a junior school (Years 3 to 6), the most relevant results for families are key stage 2 outcomes at the end of Year 6.

In the most recent published results results, 73% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and mathematics combined, above the England average of 62%. This suggests that a clear majority leave Year 6 secure in the core basics.

At the higher standard, 15% reached greater depth in reading, writing and mathematics combined, compared with an England average of 8%. That matters because it indicates that the school is not only focusing on getting pupils to the expected threshold, it is also pushing a meaningful proportion into more advanced mastery.

Scaled scores provide another angle. Reading and grammar, punctuation and spelling are both 103, and mathematics is 104. Scaled scores can be easier to interpret than percentages because they help show whether attainment is comfortably above the national benchmark rather than only just over a threshold.

Now the nuance. On FindMySchool’s proprietary ranking, Wootey Junior School is ranked 10,639th in England for primary outcomes and 7th in the local area (Alton). This places it below England average overall on that composite measure, despite the RWM expected-standard figure sitting above the England average. For parents comparing schools, the right response is to read both pieces together. The percentage outcome suggests solid attainment for most pupils, while the ranking implies there may be less “stretch at scale” compared with higher-ranked schools, or that performance is uneven across measures captured in the composite.

The school’s curriculum approach is described in the latest inspection report as broad and ambitious, with clear sequencing of knowledge and planned recap so that pupils remember important content over time. That kind of structure tends to suit many juniors, especially those who need learning broken into steps and revisited deliberately rather than assumed.

Reading is positioned as a priority. The inspection report includes a very specific example of how reading is made visible, a recommendation system called the “Wootey trainline”, where pupils are guided towards books at different “stops”. For families, that signals intentional work on reading culture, not only decoding skills.

Mathematics is described as a strength in the same report, with reference to “learning journeys” that build step-by-step through the school and frequent checking for understanding. Importantly, the report also notes adaptation and task breakdown for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), which is often where a junior school either succeeds quietly or struggles.

There is also an honest development point. a small number of pupils who are still developing early reading skills need books more consistently matched to their phonic knowledge, and it notes staff training needs in early reading. For parents of children entering Year 3 who are behind in reading, that is worth raising directly at an open event or meeting. The school is aware of the issue, but you will want to understand what the current approach looks like in practice in 2025 to 2026.

As a junior school, the “next step” is transition to secondary at the end of Year 6. The school is in Hampshire, and it is explicitly linked locally with Eggar’s School as part of the local school landscape, which is useful context for families thinking about continuity and friendships.

In practical terms, many pupils will move to one of the local Alton secondary schools, and families should plan early for the travel pattern that will work in Year 7, especially if siblings are on the shared infant and junior site. If you are weighing multiple secondaries, FindMySchool’s local comparison tools can help you line up performance and key practical differences in one view, rather than switching between tabs and PDFs.

Entry is typically into Year 3, and applications are coordinated through Hampshire’s admissions process rather than being entirely “school-run”. The school’s admissions page states a clear deadline for new Year 3 applications and a notification date for outcomes. For September 2026 intake, the deadline is 15 January 2026, with notification on 16 April 2026.

Open events provide another practical route into understanding fit. The school has previously run an open evening and open morning in October, which is a common pattern for junior admissions and a useful planning assumption for families looking ahead to future entry cycles. Dates change year to year, so treat October as the typical window and check the school’s current calendar for the precise schedule.

. If proximity is important for your plan, use a precise distance check rather than eyeballing a map.

The pastoral picture is closely tied to the school’s calm behaviour culture. The inspection report describes high expectations for behaviour, clear rules, and classrooms where learning is not interrupted. It also says pupils feel safe and that bullying, if it occurs, is addressed quickly.

Safeguarding is a key non-negotiable for parents. The May 2022 Ofsted inspection states that safeguarding arrangements are effective, and it describes regular staff training and a safeguarding curriculum that teaches pupils how to keep themselves safe in and out of school.

For families with SEND concerns, the inspection report notes that pupils with SEND study the same curriculum as peers with clear systems to identify and support needs. That is the right high-level intent; the next step is to ask how support is deployed day-to-day in your child’s year group, and how communication with parents works when needs change.

Extracurricular provision is unusually well-specified on the school website, including named clubs and a term-by-term structure. For Spring Term 2026, examples include Multi-Sports, Sewing Club, German Club (Years 4 to 6), Choir, Homework Club, and a Girls Football Club. These are not generic “we offer clubs”, they are the kind of practical menu parents can plan around.

Music enrichment also has a distinctive feature. The school hosts weekly iRock band coaching, where pupils can learn instruments such as guitar, drums and keys and perform at the end of term. The implication for families is that music participation can be more accessible than traditional one-to-one tuition alone, and it supports teamwork and confidence as much as technical skill.

Trips and experiences are used as part of widening horizons. The inspection report references a Year 6 visit to Parliament and structured opportunities such as school visits and activities designed across the four junior years. That matters because it suggests enrichment is planned as a progression, not a one-off treat.

The published school day runs from 8:50am to 3:15pm, with gates opening at 8:45am.

Breakfast club, called the ‘Early Bird’ club, runs from 7:45am to 8:40am and is priced at £3.75 per session.

For transport planning, the postcode area is close to Alton railway station, listed as about 1 km away, and there are nearby bus stops including Wooteys Way Shops. That is useful for working families who need to build a realistic morning route, especially if you are coordinating drop-off across the infant and junior site.

• Junior-only age range. Entry is into Year 3, not Reception. That can be ideal for families who already have an infant-school plan, but it means transitions happen mid-primary. Make sure your child is ready for the step-up in expectation.

• Early reading catch-up. The latest inspection highlights that a small number of pupils still developing early reading need better matching of books to phonics knowledge, and that staff training in early reading was a focus. Parents of children behind in reading should ask what has changed since May 2022.

• Admissions dates are specific. Year 3 application and notification dates are clearly stated for the 2026 intake. If you miss the deadline, options narrow quickly, so treat the calendar as a hard planning constraint.

Wootey Junior School offers a structured, calm junior experience with clear expectations and a curriculum designed to build knowledge steadily. The published key stage 2 outcomes are above England average at expected standard, and the latest inspection evidence points to a safe, orderly environment where pupils are encouraged to take responsibility.

Best suited to families in and around Alton who want a junior school with straightforward routines, visible enrichment (including music and clubs), and a culture that prioritises behaviour and readiness to learn. The main decision points are the Year 3 transition and how well the school’s current approach supports children who are still catching up in early reading.