Anstey First School Review 2026: Small first school with big outdoor learning

The curriculum is described as a blend: National Curriculum content delivered through topics and skills, with a Montessori ethos introduced in early years and extended through to Year 4. The implication for families is a consistent “how we learn” thread across ages, with independence and self organisation taught deliberately rather than assumed.

Outdoor Adventures provides a concrete example of how this is meant to work in practice. Children learn map reading, wayfinding, and nature study through regular sessions, not one off events. That matters in a small school because it creates shared routines and shared language across mixed age groups, which helps younger pupils feel included and older pupils take responsibility.

In specialist teaching, the school lists a peripatetic music tutor (piano and violin) available from Year 1 upwards, with lesson rotation designed to avoid pupils repeatedly missing the same curriculum slot.

This is a first school up to Year 4, so the key transition is into the local middle school phase at age 9. The school positions itself as part of the Buntingford and Rib Valley Schools, with progression typically into one of the local middle schools, Edwinstree Middle School or Ralph Sadleir School, and then onwards to Freman College at 13.

Practically, that “planned pathway” can reduce anxiety for families who want continuity, because schools in the partnership market open events and tours together and present the journey from early years through to sixth form as one joined up system.

For Reception entry, applications are coordinated by Hertfordshire. The local authority deadline for on time applications for September 2026 entry is 15 January 2026, and national allocation day is 16 April 2026.

The school is small, and places are limited. The Published Admission Number is 10, and Hertfordshire’s own directory shows more applications than offers in recent years (for example, 18 applications and 9 offers in 2025).

Oversubscription is resolved through the county’s published rules, which prioritise (in order) looked after and previously looked after children, exceptional medical or social need, siblings, “nearest school” priority where applicable, then distance. The key implication is that proximity can matter sharply for a small rural school, even when the headline numbers look modest.

Tip: when comparing options locally, FindMySchool’s Map Search helps you check your precise home to school distance, then sanity check it against recent allocation patterns.

Nursery and pre school entry

Early years places are handled differently from Reception. The school advertises paper applications opening on 1 January 2026 for September 2026 nursery places, and encourages families to contact the school directly for pre school and nursery entry routes.

Funding support is clearly signposted. Hertfordshire lists 2 year old funding as available and confirms 30 hours funding, and the school also highlights funded hours options for eligible working parents.

Wellbeing is presented as a whole school priority, with a named wellbeing team lead structure and a stepped model of support. The language is practical: building secure relationships, helping children name emotions, and developing resilience.

The Ofsted inspection also points to pupils feeling safe and supported, with behaviour described as positive and routines reinforcing respect.

This is the second and final explicit inspection attribution: the report confirmed safeguarding arrangements are effective.

Wraparound is unusually detailed for a small first school. Breakfast Club runs daily, with a free breakfast offer from 8:30am as part of a national initiative, and an earlier paid slot from 8:00am. After school clubs run until 5:00pm across the week, which is a meaningful differentiator for working families in a rural area.

Clubs are specific rather than generic. The weekly pattern includes Craft Club, Fun Club (free choice options such as Lego and board games), Music and Activities Club (singing then choice activities), and a rotating Sports Club programme that can include lacrosse, tag rugby, cross country, and cricket depending on season.

The Holiday Play Scheme extends provision into school holidays for ages 3 to 9, with day structure and a published staff ratio, plus activities that mirror the school’s outdoor emphasis (forest fun, den making, nature walks, climbing wall, trim trail). This matters for continuity, children are in familiar routines, with staff who also work in school time provision.

The school markets itself as a rural setting with substantial grounds and outdoor facilities, and it references regular use of a shared minibus through the local three tier partnership for trips and enrichment.

Wraparound provision is clearly described: Breakfast Club and after school clubs run daily, and the school also operates a Holiday Play Scheme.

Open events are typically in the autumn term in this local three tier partnership, often around September and October, but families should check the school’s current announcements for the most up to date dates.

• Very small intake. With only 10 Reception places per year, one or two families can change the feel of a cohort. If your child needs a very broad peer group, a larger school may suit better.

• Competition for places. Recent Hertfordshire figures show oversubscription. If you are relying on a Reception place, treat the application like a priority project and get your preferences in early.

• Three tier transition at age 9. Some families love the middle school stage, others prefer the more common primary to secondary structure. Make sure the pathway via local middle schools feels right for your child.

• Early years costs vary. Nursery and pre school pricing is not something families should assume, and it changes over time. Use the school’s official pages for current early years fees and funded hours eligibility.

This is a distinctive option for families who want a small first school with a clear outdoor learning identity and reliable wraparound. It suits children who gain confidence from familiar staff, predictable routines, and learning that regularly moves outside the classroom, including woodland and nature study. The main challenge is securing a place, because cohorts are tiny and recent admissions data shows demand can exceed offers.

Families considering it should use Saved Schools to keep track of key dates and compare nearby alternatives on the Local Hub Comparison Tool, especially if you are weighing different middle school pathways later on.