Moat Farm Infant School Review 2026: Early Years strength, family feel, and a clear focus on reading

Infant schools do not present the same public results profile as full primary schools, and this is not a setting where you should expect key stage 2 data or England ranking tables to be the deciding factor.

What you can usefully look for instead is whether the basics are being secured for most children by the time they leave at the end of Year 2. External evaluation highlights a strong focus on the foundational knowledge of reading, writing, and mathematics, and describes pupils developing reading fluency and comprehension across key stage 1. It also references pupils typically achieving well in the phonics screening check, without publishing a specific percentage in the material available.

If you are comparing local infant options, the more practical question is: does the school have a coherent early reading strategy, does it identify pupils who need extra help quickly, and does it build early number knowledge systematically. The published material points to phonics as a daily priority, close matching of decodable books to the sounds pupils know, and targeted support for pupils who are behind, including those with additional needs.

The curriculum story here is about sequence and habits. At Moat Farm, early reading sits at the centre of teaching, with phonics introduced from the early years and built through Reception and key stage 1. For parents, the implication is straightforward: if your child thrives on routine and clear steps, a structured phonics programme can be reassuring, and it often helps children who need learning broken down into small, repeatable chunks.

Early years provision is described as starting from age two, with staff building learning around children’s starting points, interests, and communication needs. Practical examples used in published material include fine motor work like playdough, cutting, and mark making to support later writing control. There is also an explicit emphasis on collaboration and talk, which matters because children who can explain their thinking often find early maths and writing less daunting.

The school also makes a point of personal development learning at an age appropriate level, including learning about risk, staying safe online, and understanding differences. At infant age, that usually looks like stories, routines, and carefully structured discussion, rather than formal lessons. The benefit for families is the development of language for emotions and friendships, which is often the difference between a child who copes with the social complexity of school and a child who feels overwhelmed by it.

Because the school is an infant school, pupils move on at the end of Year 2 rather than staying through to Year 6. The natural next step for many families is a local junior school, and in this case the linked local context includes Moat Farm Junior School on the same road. The best way to think about transition is not as a single event, but as a year long process of building independence, reading stamina, and learning routines so that Year 3 feels like progression rather than a restart.

The school’s strongest contribution at this stage is ensuring that pupils leave with secure early reading habits and the confidence to talk about their learning. If those pieces are in place, the move to junior school tends to feel smoother, even if the next school is larger or has different systems.

Admissions for Reception places are coordinated through Sandwell, rather than directly by the school. For families aiming for a September 2026 Reception start, the published local authority deadline for on time applications was 15 January 2026, with later applications treated as late. That gives you the planning anchor: in a typical cycle, applications open in early autumn and close in mid January for the following September start.

Moat Farm’s own admissions data shows demand pressure in the primary entry route data. There were 172 applications for 104 offers in the most recent intake data available, with oversubscription indicated. That does not mean every year will look identical, but it does mean families should treat admission as competitive and plan accordingly.

The school publishes tour dates and booking expectations. The dates shown for the 2025 to 2026 cycle ran from late September through to mid December, with tours capped at a small number of families per session. For parents considering a future intake, that suggests tours typically run in the autumn term, and you should rely on the school’s current listings for the exact dates.

Pastoral effectiveness at infant stage is about two things: calm routines and adults who know children well. The material available describes a strong emphasis on relationships with families and responsive support when children struggle with behaviour, communication, or attendance. It also describes targeted support for children who need additional emotional help, supported by nurture based routines.

Inclusion is a visible priority. The school describes timely identification of needs, swift intervention, and strong partnership working with external agencies, alongside the Rainbow Room approach for pupils who need a different route into learning. For families of children with speech, language, communication needs, or emerging additional needs, that explicit focus can be a significant factor in choosing a setting.

After school clubs matter even at infant age, for two reasons. First, they give children a low pressure way to try new activities and practise social skills with a different peer mix. Second, they can be a practical support for working families when clubs link to the end of day routine.

The school publishes examples of clubs, including Basketball, Dance, Gymnastics, Dodgeball, Multi Sports including Tri Golf, Archery, Athletics, Football, Science, and Skill Builder. This is a blend of physical development, coordination, and curiosity based sessions, which tends to suit infant pupils who learn best through activity and short bursts of focus.

Wraparound care is provided through Lavender Farm, offering both breakfast and after school provision. Published information indicates breakfast care starting at 7:30am and after school care running until 5:30pm, with fees listed as £5.00 for breakfast club and £12.00 for after school club in the provider leaflet available. As with any wraparound offer, families should confirm current arrangements and charges directly with the provider.

For Reception and key stage 1, the school day is published as running until 3:10pm, with gates opening at 8:00am and doors at 8:30am. Registers are taken at 8:50am, which is the punctuality marker families need to plan around.

Tours are presented as bookable, small group sessions, and the most recent set of published dates indicates an autumn pattern, from late September through December. For working parents, the wraparound offer through Lavender Farm, including early start breakfast provision and later collection, is an important part of the practical picture.

• Competitive entry picture. The available admissions figures show more applications than offers, and the route is marked as oversubscribed. Families should treat admission as competitive and keep a realistic shortlist of alternatives.

• Infant only, so transition happens early. Pupils move on after Year 2. That suits families who like clear stages, but it does mean you should think about junior school plans from the start.

• Support spaces still developing. The Rainbow Room approach is a positive sign of targeted inclusion; published evaluation also indicates that some communication strategies are still being embedded consistently. Parents of children with more complex communication needs should ask detailed questions about how support works day to day.

• Wraparound care is externally provided. Breakfast and after school care is offered via a provider rather than being staffed directly by the school. That can be excellent, but families should confirm availability, booking processes, and current pricing early.

Moat Farm Infant School presents as a large infant setting with a deliberate focus on relationships, communication, and early reading. The curriculum priorities are clear, the inclusion story is prominent, and practical support for working families is strengthened by an established wraparound provider. It suits families who want a structured start to schooling, with phonics and routines taken seriously, and who are comfortable planning ahead for the move to junior school after Year 2.

Use the FindMySchool Map Search to sense check travel logistics and day to day practicality, especially if you are weighing this against other nearby infant options in Sandwell.