Knights Enham Nursery and Infant School Review 2026: Early years start, with clear routines in progress

The school presents itself as ambitious about curriculum sequencing, with a stated aim for a carefully sequenced and progressive programme of knowledge and skills across subjects.

The May 2023 evidence suggests the core structure is in place, but delivery varies. English and mathematics are described as having clearer thinking behind progression, while some other subjects were not as precisely mapped for the knowledge pupils should learn and when. The practical implication is that your child’s experience may be strongest where teachers have the clearest resources and training, and less consistent in foundation subjects until subject leadership capacity and staff development catch up.

Early reading is a central area to watch. A reading programme was described as well planned, but not taught consistently by all staff, with gaps in checking what pupils remember and ensuring every pupil practises actively during phonics. For parents of children who need rapid, explicit phonics teaching, it is sensible to ask how phonics sessions are staffed, how often pupils are assessed, and what happens when a child is not keeping up.

In early years, outdoor provision is described as a genuine strength, used to promote physical development and problem-solving. The development task is tightening the early years curriculum so that “discovery time” is consistently purposeful and builds knowledge towards Key Stage 1.

For most families, the main “destination” question is not Year 6 to Year 7, it is the step from infant to junior at Year 3. The school sits within the Knights Enham Schools federation, alongside The Knights Enham Junior School, which makes continuity more straightforward for many families in practical terms.

Hampshire runs a coordinated “Infant to Junior Transfer” process, with the main-round dates for September 2026 showing applications open on 1 November 2025 and close on 15 January 2026, with notifications on 16 April 2026.

The wider federation offer also shapes what pupils access as they move up. For example, the federation’s Forest School programme is described as teaching specific woodland skills such as coppicing, whittling, wattling and fire-making, which becomes most visible in the junior years.

This is a state school, so there are no tuition fees. Admission to Reception is handled through Hampshire County Council rather than directly by the school, and the school signposts parents to the local authority process and its own published admission policies.

For September 2026 Reception entry in Hampshire, the key dates are clearly set out: applications open 1 November 2025, the deadline is 15 January 2026, and the national notification date is 16 April 2026.

Demand indicators point to an oversubscribed picture on the Reception route, with 55 applications for 34 offers, a ratio of 1.62 applications per place. That level of competition is meaningful for families living a little further away or moving into the area late. It also makes it worth using FindMySchool’s Map Search to sanity-check your practical position relative to the school before you rely on this as your only option.

Nursery admissions operate differently. The federation states that nursery admissions are managed by the school and follow a nursery admissions policy, rather than the local authority coordinated route used for Reception.

The best evidence here is that children’s basic experience of safety and relationships is positive. Pupils are described as happy, with positive relationships with staff, and they report feeling safe.

Safeguarding arrangements are recorded as effective in the most recent inspection documentation, and the description points to a culture of vigilance, staff training, and timely referrals when concerns are raised.

The pastoral development task is consistency: routines and behaviour expectations were not described as uniformly embedded across staff, with learning sometimes disrupted and some pupils losing classroom learning time. For parents, the practical question is how behaviour expectations are taught and reinforced in Reception and Year 1, and what the reintegration plan looks like if a child is regularly removed from class.

Even at infant stage, this school puts named enrichment on the table rather than relying on generic “lots of clubs” claims. The federation’s free after-school clubs list includes Choir, Tennis, Computer club, Forest School, Running Club, Disney Club, and Brass Club in the autumn term, plus options such as Just Dance, Outdoor Drawing, and a Greek Club in spring.

That variety matters because it signals two things. First, the school is trying to give pupils structured experiences beyond the classroom, which directly addresses an area highlighted for development in the May 2023 inspection. Second, it offers a route for different types of confidence to build, performance for Choir and Brass Club, physical confidence via Running Club and Tennis, and quieter interest-led options through Computer club and Outdoor Drawing.

In the junior years (after Year 2), Forest School becomes a distinctive thread, with the programme described for real practical skills and creative woodland work, which can suit children who learn best through doing.

The school day runs 08:45 to 15:20 for the infant school. Breakfast club operates 08:00 to 08:45 and is priced at £4 per child per day. Wraparound after school runs 15:20 to 17:00 and is priced at £6 per child per day, with snacks and activities.

Travel planning is encouraged as an active travel school. The federation notes that walking is an ideal option for many families, with parking described as around a five-minute walk away, and bus access referenced as a realistic route.

Holiday childcare is supported through an external provider using the school’s facilities during school holidays, which is useful for working families who want continuity of location.

• Inspection position and pace of change. The most recent full inspection outcome is Requires Improvement (May 2023). If you are considering entry now, ask what has changed since that inspection in early reading, behaviour routines, and subject leadership capacity.

• Reading consistency. The inspection evidence flags uneven delivery of the reading programme and phonics, with some staff needing stronger expertise and more consistent checking of what pupils remember. Children who need fast phonics gains may need particularly close monitoring.

• Behaviour routines and learning time. A small number of pupils were described as disrupting learning when routines were not consistently established, with some children missing classroom learning time. It is worth asking how the school ensures consistency across staff.

• Competition for places. The Reception entry route is oversubscribed so families should plan carefully and include realistic alternatives on the local authority form.

For families who want an all-in-one early start, from age two through to the end of Year 2, this school offers a clear structure, wraparound childcare, and a values-led approach that children can understand and use. The improvement agenda is also clear: more consistent teaching, especially in reading and phonics, tighter routines, and a broader, reliably delivered personal development offer.

Who it suits: families in and around Andover who want nursery-to-infant continuity and practical childcare wraparound, and who are prepared to ask detailed questions about how reading and behaviour systems are being strengthened.