St. Joseph's Infant School

In Chichester city centre, St. Joseph’s Infant School serves children from age 2 through to age 7, with nursery provision on site and a close relationship with the adjoining junior school on the same site. The school is part of the Diocese of Chichester Academy Trust, which gives families the structure of a wider organisation while keeping day to day life focused on early years and Key Stage 1.

The most recent Ofsted inspection (09 November 2023, published 12 January 2024) judged the school to be Good. The report highlights a well-designed reading curriculum, including early phonics from the start of Reception and parent workshops that help families support reading at home. It also points to inconsistency in how effectively the phonics programme is delivered by all staff, and weaker curriculum sequencing in some subjects.

For families, the headline is fit. This is an infant school with nursery, so the priorities tend to be early language, routines, confidence, and the transition from play-based early years into more formal learning in Years 1 and 2, with a clear next step into junior education nearby.

The school presents itself as a small city school where staff across nursery, Key Stage 1, and the adjoining junior phase coordinate planning so that knowledge and skills build in a deliberate sequence. That matters in an infant setting because small gaps, for example in phonics decoding or number sense, can quickly become bigger barriers later.

Leadership is structured across the wider organisation. Public information points to executive headteacher roles alongside a head of school, which can be a strength when it brings consistent standards and professional development, but it can also mean parents should be clear on who holds responsibility for daily operational decisions. For formal records, official records lists the headteacher as Lisa Hardy.

A distinctive feature in the wider life of the school is that it explicitly builds links with the local community and faith partners without being designated as a faith school in the official category. One example is JAM Club (Jesus and Me), a Thursday morning club that combines stories, games, songs, and a light breakfast. This will suit families who value that additional pastoral or community element, and it is easy to opt out of if it is not for you.

What parents can use instead is evidence about early reading and curriculum quality from the latest inspection. The most recent Ofsted inspection supports a picture of strong intent and delivery in reading overall, with early phonics beginning immediately in Reception and additional help for pupils who fall behind. It also flags that not all staff deliver the phonics programme effectively, which is an important practical detail for families, since consistency is central to rapid early reading progress.

If you are comparing local options, the most useful next step is to look at curriculum detail and early years practice, then validate the practicalities during a visit, particularly how phonics teaching is standardised across classes and staff.

The curriculum is described as being built around the needs of children, using topics and core texts to draw together National Curriculum elements in Key Stage 1. For parents, the implication is that the learning experience should feel coherent, with reading and vocabulary development anchored in shared books rather than isolated worksheets.

In Early Years, the school describes a balanced approach that combines adult-led activities, targeted phonics, and structured interactions with play-based learning and outdoor learning. It also references practical experiences such as gardening and cooking. The value of this approach, when done well, is that it can develop language, attention, and fine motor skills while still keeping learning active and age-appropriate.

Subject pages indicate the use of established schemes in some areas, for example Kapow Primary for music, with coverage that includes performing, listening, composing, and music history. This is often helpful in infant schools because it ensures progression in skills, such as steady improvement in rhythm, pitch awareness, and listening discipline, even when class teachers rotate year to year.

As an infant school, the key transition is into junior education. The Ofsted listing notes the school shares a postcode with St. Joseph’s CofE Junior School, which reflects the on-site relationship many families will be considering.

For parents, the practical question is whether progression is automatic or application-based, and what the expectation is for Year 2 leavers. The school website includes information aimed at Year 2 families about junior transfer, which suggests this is an area the school actively supports.

If you want a clearer sense of likely routes, ask during a visit how many pupils typically move on to the adjoining junior school, what support is offered for families considering alternative juniors, and what information is shared about timelines and paperwork.

Reception places are coordinated by West Sussex County Council. For September 2027 entry, applications open in the week beginning 5 October 2026, on-time applications close on 15 January 2027, and outcomes are issued on 16 April 2027 for on-time applicants.

The school also encourages prospective parents to visit. Its admissions page states that open days for new parents are held during the autumn term, and appointments can be arranged at other times. For the September 2026 intake, the school published open afternoons on 11 and 18 November 2025 at 1.30pm. Since those dates are now in the past (as of 08 February 2026), treat them as evidence of the usual seasonal pattern rather than upcoming events.

Demand indicators suggest the school was oversubscribed for the most recent recorded primary entry route, with 66 applications for 49 offers. That is not extreme by city standards, but it is enough to mean families should not assume a place if they are outside the usual priority groups. If you are using FindMySchool to shortlist, the Map Search tool is the most practical way to sense-check location against likely allocation patterns, then you can validate the current year’s position with the local authority.

The school publishes a clear safeguarding structure, including named designated safeguarding leads and deputies. In practice, for parents, the usefulness of this is clarity. You know who holds responsibility, and there is a visible system rather than a vague promise.

The latest Ofsted inspection also references the school’s safeguarding culture through its standard inspection checks, including review of the single central record and pupils’ views on safety. This does not replace what a family should ask on a visit, but it provides external confirmation that safeguarding was scrutinised as part of the inspection process.

In infant settings, wellbeing is often inseparable from routines. The published school day timings are specific, including gate opening, classroom door times, and the 3.15pm finish, which is helpful for working parents planning wraparound care.

Wraparound care is a major feature here. The school promotes Whizz Kids before and after school club, including an after-school option that can run beyond the end of the school day. For many families, that practical coverage is as important as any enrichment, because it determines whether the school is viable with commuting and work schedules.

There are also indicators of structured early-morning enrichment through JAM Club, which starts at 8am on Thursdays and combines activities with a light breakfast. For some children, that earlier start with a calm small-group routine can be a good transition into the day.

For nursery-age children, the school highlights Forest School as part of nursery life, signalling a deliberate emphasis on outdoor learning. The key implication is that children who learn best through movement and hands-on exploration may find the early years offer a good fit, particularly if families value outdoor provision as more than an occasional treat.

The school day timings published by the school are: gates open at 8.30am, registration at 8.45am, and the school day ends at 3.15pm.

Wraparound care is available via Whizz Kids before and after school club, and the school also runs an early-morning club (JAM Club) weekly. Exact availability can change term to term, so families should confirm current capacity and booking requirements directly with the school office.

As a city centre site, travel planning matters. Ask about drop-off routines, any parking constraints nearby, and walking routes from common approaches into the centre.

• Ofsted improvement points in phonics delivery. The most recent inspection highlights that not all staff were equally effective in delivering the phonics programme. If early reading is a top priority for your child, ask how staff training, coaching, and checks ensure consistent delivery across classes.

• Curriculum sequencing beyond the strongest areas. Ofsted notes that in some subjects the curriculum is not sequenced well enough and leaders do not check impact thoroughly. Ask which subjects were prioritised for improvement since the 09 November 2023 inspection and what has changed in planning and assessment.

• Oversubscription reality. The available admissions data suggests more applications than offers in the latest recorded primary entry route. Families should treat this as a school that can be competitive, and plan a realistic second preference.

• Leadership structure. With executive leadership roles and a head of school model, make sure you know who your day-to-day contact is, and how decisions are made for nursery and Key Stage 1.

St. Joseph’s Infant School offers a city-centre infant education with nursery on site, clear wraparound options, and a reading curriculum that external evidence supports as a strength. Admission is managed through West Sussex and demand can exceed places, so practical planning matters.

Who it suits: families who want an infant school experience with nursery continuity, structured early reading, and wraparound care that can support working schedules, and who value a close relationship with the adjoining junior phase on the same site.