Leesland Church of England Controlled Infant School Review 2026, a faith-rooted infant school with strong curriculum intent

The learning model here is structured rather than laissez faire. Staff are described as having secure subject knowledge and explaining new ideas accurately, with demonstrations used to support explanations. That matters most in early literacy and early number, where clarity and modelling are often the difference between confident fluency and hesitant progress.

Three subjects are explicitly referenced in the most recent deep dive activity: reading, mathematics, and physical education. For parents, that is a helpful signal about priorities. In infant schools, strong reading and phonics teaching is usually the central engine that supports everything else, because it rapidly expands what pupils can access independently.

A second distinctive thread is how the school connects curriculum and character development. Both inspection evidence and the school’s wider documentation refer to a programme called the Leesland Legacy, used to broaden pupils’ horizons through experiences and moral discussion at an age appropriate level. In practical terms, that looks like trips, visitors, and themed learning that build vocabulary and background knowledge, which can make reading comprehension and writing more meaningful for young children.

Because this is an infant school, the main transition is into Key Stage 2 at the linked junior school. The federation arrangement has been in place since September 2010, and the relationship is a practical advantage for families who value continuity of approach and shared expectations across the two sites.

In Hampshire, the move from infant to junior is typically treated as a formal transfer rather than an automatic progression, so parents should expect an application step at Year 3 even when children are already within a federation pattern. The county’s published key dates for September 2026 confirm that both Starting School (Year R) and Infant to Junior Transfer (Year 3) use the same main round window: applications open 01 November 2025, deadline 15 January 2026, and on time outcomes issued 16 April 2026.

Competition for places is real. For the Reception entry route in the latest admissions results, there were 105 applications for 51 offers, around 2.06 applications per place, and the school is recorded as oversubscribed. That ratio tells you two things. First, you should treat this as a school where timing and application accuracy matter. Second, it is worth having at least one realistic alternative on your Hampshire application, particularly if you are not close enough to benefit from the most commonly applied oversubscription criteria.

Admissions are coordinated through Hampshire County Council for the main round. For September 2026 Reception entry, the key dates are clear and confirmed by the local authority: applications open 01 November 2025, close 15 January 2026, and outcomes are issued 16 April 2026. Late applications are handled after the deadline in line with the county’s published process.

The school also publishes admissions policy documents for 2026 to 2027, which is useful for parents who want to read the precise priority order used when demand exceeds places.

A practical tip, especially in oversubscribed areas, is to use the FindMySchool Map Search to check realistic travel routes and your likely day to day logistics, then pair that with the Hampshire criteria in the published policy documents before you finalise preferences.

This is a school that puts wellbeing front and centre, but does it through routines, relationships, and explicit teaching rather than vague messaging. The church school inspection evidence describes a carefully planned approach to supporting good mental health, including lessons for all pupils plus targeted group and individual interventions delivered by trained staff.

In an infant setting, that typically shows up in how staff handle conflict, anxiety, and friendship issues. The same evidence points to a restorative behaviour approach and to pupils being supported to reflect, pray if they choose, and develop the language for feelings and relationships.

One area that parents should read carefully in the most recent inspection evidence is attendance, specifically for disadvantaged pupils. The school is prioritising this, with the report noting that too many disadvantaged pupils are regularly absent, which means missing key learning. Families who have complex circumstances may want to ask directly what support is available to help children attend consistently and arrive ready to learn.

Extracurricular life is unusually specific for an infant phase school, and that specificity helps parents gauge what their child might actually do week to week.

The school lists a rotating set of clubs across the year, including Handbells Club, ECO Club, Enterprise Club, Forces Club, Craft Club, and Games Club, alongside options such as football. For young pupils, handbells is a particularly telling offer because it requires listening, turn taking, and teamwork, skills that translate directly into classroom readiness.

There are also pupil leadership structures that appear repeatedly in school communications, such as Leesland Leaders, which younger children often experience as a first introduction to responsibility and contribution beyond their own class.

The Leesland Legacy strand, referenced in inspection evidence, adds another layer by funding and organising experiences that broaden horizons, including trips and visitors. In an infant setting, these experiences often become the raw material for vocabulary, storytelling, and early writing.

This is a state school with no tuition fees.

The published school day structure is clearly set out by year group. Rolling registration for the infant school starts at 8.35am, lessons start at 8.45am, and finish times vary by year: Year R ends 3.00pm, Year 1 ends 3.05pm, and Year 2 ends 3.10pm.

Wraparound care is available through a provider based at the junior school, offering breakfast club from 7.30am to 8.55am and after school care from 3.00pm to 5.45pm for children across both schools.

For transport, most families will think for walkability and short car journeys rather than public transport links, since drop off and pick up times are staggered and age dependent. If you are weighing daily practicality, map the route at peak times rather than relying on off peak estimates.

• Oversubscription pressure. Demand is high. With 105 applications for 51 offers in the latest admissions results, realistic back up choices matter.

• Attendance focus for some pupils. Attendance for disadvantaged pupils is flagged as an area the school is working to strengthen. Families should ask what support is available if they anticipate challenges with regular attendance.

• Infant phase only. Progression to the junior stage is a key decision point. Even with a long running federation link, parents should plan ahead for Year 3 transfer and the Hampshire timeline.

• Teaching refinement point. Questioning does not always give staff a complete picture of pupil understanding in every case. Ask how staff check understanding in phonics and early maths, especially if your child needs extra reassurance or challenge.

A well organised infant school with a clear curriculum model, strong attention to character and inclusion, and a Church of England ethos that is woven into daily life through values, worship, and community support. The best fit is for families who want a structured early start, value faith shaped language around respect and kindness, and are prepared for competitive admissions. The limiting factor is getting a place, so plan preferences carefully and use the published admissions criteria to stay realistic.