The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
This is a small, two-form entry infant academy serving Winshill, with children aged 3 to 7 and a published capacity of 180. It sits within Affinity Learning Partnership, and it is clear from the school’s own language that the day-to-day focus is as much about behaviour and character as it is about early learning. Its three headline values, “Work hard, Be kind, Choose wisely”, appear repeatedly across the site and underpin how the school presents itself to families.
The current leadership model is slightly layered. The website identifies Claire Shaw as Executive Principal, while national school listings name Mrs Jane Casey as Headteacher or Principal. For parents, the practical implication is that strategic oversight and daily leadership may be shared, a common structure in multi-academy trusts.
This is a state school, so there are no tuition fees. The main costs to plan for are the usual state-school extras such as uniform, trips, and optional clubs where applicable.
The tone is purposeful and values-driven, without sounding overly rigid. The school repeatedly links expectations and wellbeing, emphasising behaviour standards alongside emotional wellbeing and wider experiences. That balance is often a good fit for families who want clear routines and consistent boundaries in the early years, especially for children who thrive on predictability.
The values also provide a shared language for pupils. In infant settings, that matters because behaviour systems work best when children can remember and repeat simple cues. “Work hard, Be kind, Choose wisely” is short enough to become part of daily talk, and the school positions it as central rather than decorative.
Nursery provision is part of the offer. The academy’s nursery listing indicates it supports funded places for 3 and 4 year olds, with published opening hours of 09:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday.
External evaluation offers a recent reassurance point. The most recent Ofsted inspection (19 to 20 November 2024) concluded that the school had taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at the previous inspection.
Curriculum intent is framed around knowledge, language, and life chances. The school describes its curriculum as “knowledge-engaged”, aligned to the Early Years Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 National Curriculum, with explicit attention to sequencing and progression. The strongest and most specific thread is vocabulary: the curriculum is designed to promote broad and academic vocabulary, with the stated aim of widening pupils’ language and understanding from an early age.
For parents, the implication is practical. A vocabulary-forward approach can support reading comprehension later, and it often helps children who are learning English as an additional language or who need structured language development. Where this works best is when home and school reinforce each other, for example through reading routines and talk-rich activities.
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
FMS Inspection Score calculated by FindMySchool based on official inspection data.
Because the school’s age range ends at 7, transition is a core question. The admissions information points families towards Eton Park Junior Academy as a partner school option for Year 3, which suggests many pupils may move on there, subject to admissions arrangements.
For parents weighing longer-term stability, it is sensible to look at the junior-school pathway early, including how applications work for Year 3, and what continuity looks like for friendships and pastoral support.
Admissions are split by phase.
Nursery entry is handled directly by the school. The admissions overview asks parents to contact the school office or collect a nursery admissions form.
Reception entry is coordinated through Staffordshire County Council, and the school is explicit about a point many parents miss: a nursery place does not guarantee a Reception place. This matters in practice because you can have a settled nursery experience and still need to compete for Reception, especially where demand is strong.
The figures indicate Reception demand is real rather than theoretical. In the most recent entry-route data, there were 65 applications for 52 offers, with the school marked oversubscribed and an applications-to-offers ratio of 1.25. The proportion of first preferences to first preference offers is shown as 1.00, suggesting first-choice demand roughly matched the number of first-choice offers made. (These figures can shift year to year.)
For September 2026 entry in Staffordshire, the national closing date shown on the local authority guidance is 15 January 2026.
100%
1st preference success rate
50 of 50 first-choice applicants received an offer
Places
52
Offers
52
Applications
65
The school places wellbeing front and centre, explicitly pairing emotional wellbeing with high expectations. In an infant setting, this usually translates into consistent routines, clear behaviour boundaries, and structured support for children learning to manage feelings and relationships.
Safeguarding is highlighted within the school’s parent information navigation, and the leadership team includes a named Designated Safeguarding Lead on the staff listing.
There are also named programmes and events that give a sense of wider school life:
National School Breakfast Programme (Magic Breakfast) is referenced in the parent information navigation, indicating breakfast provision linked to that scheme.
The school highlights whole-school initiatives such as Enterprise Week in its news feed listings.
For families, the implication is that enrichment is intended to be routine rather than occasional, and it is likely tied into curriculum themes rather than treated as add-ons.
The school publishes a clear structure for the day. Gates open at 08:30, registration opens at 08:40, gates lock at 08:45, and the school day ends at 15:10 (32.5 hours weekly).
Wraparound care information beyond those timings is not clearly published in the accessible pages reviewed. Families who need childcare outside the core day should ask the school directly what is available, and whether provision runs daily or only on certain days.
Reception is competitive. Recent application and offer figures indicate oversubscription at Reception entry. If you are relying on this school, apply on time and list realistic alternatives.
Nursery does not guarantee Reception. The school states this explicitly, and it is a common source of parental disappointment if missed.
Leadership structure is shared. With an Executive Principal named on the website and a Headteacher named in national listings, parents may want clarity on who leads day-to-day decisions and who to approach for specific issues.
A values-led infant academy with nursery provision and a curriculum narrative centred on language, knowledge, and widening opportunity. It suits families who want clear expectations, a strong behaviour culture, and a structured early-years approach, particularly where vocabulary and communication are priorities. Admission is the obstacle rather than what follows, so the right next step is to focus on Reception application strategy and the Year 3 pathway early.
The school is currently described as Good in available listings, and the most recent Ofsted inspection in November 2024 reported that the school had taken effective action to maintain standards. For families, that combination usually signals a stable setting with consistent routines, although it is still wise to visit and ask how the curriculum and behaviour approach work in practice.
Reception applications are made through Staffordshire County Council rather than directly to the school. The published local authority guidance shows the closing date for September 2026 entry as 15 January 2026.
No. The school states that a place in nursery does not guarantee a place in Reception, and families still need to apply through Staffordshire County Council.
Gates open at 08:30, registration opens at 08:40, gates lock at 08:45, and the school day ends at 15:10.
The school points families towards Eton Park Junior Academy as a partner option for Year 3 and links to local authority admissions information for next steps.
Get in touch with the school directly
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Information on this page is compiled, analysed, and processed from publicly available sources including the Department for Education (DfE), Ofsted, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, and official school websites.
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