Grange Infant School Review 2026: A calm, values-led start to school life in Rowner

. Rather than leaning on generic claims, the more reliable indicator is how systematically reading, writing, and mathematics are taught.

Early reading is a declared priority, and the phonics approach is clearly set out. The school uses Read Write Inc (developed by Ruth Miskin), a structured synthetic phonics programme, and describes daily small-group teaching matched to assessed need, with decodable Book Bag Books sent home to align reading practice with classroom learning.

For parents comparing local options, this is a good moment to use the FindMySchool Local Hub Comparison Tool, which makes it easier to compare nearby schools on the published measures that do exist for each phase.

The timetable published on the school website makes the teaching rhythm unusually transparent, which matters in infants where routines shape learning just as much as content. The day begins with rolling registration at 8.45am, then moves through a Daily Mile slot and a dedicated Read Write Inc block before longer teaching sessions, with storytime or singing built into the end of the day.

Phonics is not treated as a bolt-on. The school describes systematic progression through Read Write Inc sound sets, frequent assessment, grouping by current level, and a transition to a “Sound to Spelling” programme once pupils complete the core phonics sequence. For handwriting, the school uses Kinetic Letters rather than relying on the Read Write Inc handwriting strand, which will appeal to families who value explicit letter formation teaching.

Curriculum breadth also matters at this age. The latest inspection report points to a well-sequenced curriculum across subjects, with strong progress evident in pupils’ work, and examples of subject knowledge building over time (including map skills in geography).

The natural next step is transfer into junior provision for Year 3. Hampshire County Council lists Grange Junior School as a linked school, and notes that attendance at a linked school may assist with priority admission.

For families planning ahead, the council’s main-round timetable for September 2026 shows the Year 3 transfer window opening on 01 November 2025, closing on 15 January 2026, with outcomes on 16 April 2026.

Admissions are coordinated by the local authority rather than the school, which is typical for community schools. Demand is real: the figures show 77 applications for 50 offers in the most recent cycle provided, with an oversubscribed status and a 1.54 applications-per-place ratio of applications to places.

For September 2026 Reception entry, Hampshire County Council publishes the key dates: applications open 01 November 2025, the deadline is 15 January 2026, and offer notifications go out on 16 April 2026.

Hampshire also advises families to use all three preferences on the application, and to research policies and past allocation patterns rather than relying on assumptions about proximity. Parents who want a reality check on travel distance can use FindMySchool Map Search to measure from home to the school gate accurately, then compare with past patterns.

Pastoral strength at infant level often shows up as calm behaviour, consistent routines, and staff who spot small issues early. The formal evidence supports that picture. The school has a safeguarding culture described as effective, with staff training, record-keeping, and governor oversight all treated as core business rather than paperwork.

The main improvement priorities are also useful for parents, because they are specific rather than generic. Inspectors highlighted that some pupils who find early reading difficult are not catching up as quickly as they could because support is not consistently effective across all classes, and that some pupils with SEND would benefit from more precise and consistently implemented individual plans.

Infant schools can feel narrow if everything revolves around phonics and number, so it helps when wider development is explicitly planned. The school day structure includes library time, classroom music, PE, singing sessions, and the Daily Mile as recurring features rather than occasional enrichment.

Clubs and wider experiences are also part of the picture. The latest inspection report notes a range of clubs and well-considered trips and visitors. It also references The Grange Civic Award, which encourages motivated Year 2 pupils to contribute at home, in school, and in the community, and to try a new hobby or skill.

For real-world learning beyond the classroom, the school’s curriculum material includes examples of local visits, such as a trip to Little Woodham (a 17th-century living history site) and activities linked to Gosport Museum.

The published timings are clear. The school day starts with rolling registration at 8.45am and ends at 3.15pm, with storytime or singing built into the final part of the afternoon.

Wraparound care appears to be available via an on-site provider operating at the same postcode as the school, which is useful for working families. Availability, hours, and booking arrangements can change, so it is best confirmed directly with the provider before relying on it.

The wider setting matters too. A Hampshire County Council report about the local school site describes it as an urban location surrounded by residential development, with an open public green space bordering the northern boundary.

• Competition for places. The figures show 77 applications for 50 offers, which indicates meaningful competition. Families should plan a realistic set of preferences rather than relying on a single option.

• Support for struggling readers. The school prioritises early reading, but the most recent inspection notes that catch-up support for some pupils is not consistently effective across all classes yet.

• SEND precision and consistency. Improvements to individual plans are referenced, but support is not always closely matched or consistently implemented, which can matter for children who need tight scaffolding.

• Wraparound details need checking. Provision appears available on-site, but confirm hours, costs, and availability early if childcare is a key factor.

Grange Infant School offers a structured, calm start, with a clear focus on values, routines, and early reading. It suits families who want predictable teaching rhythms, a strong phonics backbone, and a behaviour culture built around positive recognition. The main decision points are practical: admission competitiveness, and whether your child might need more intensive, consistently delivered catch-up support in reading or highly tailored SEND planning.