St John’s Church of England Infant and Nursery School Review 2026: A values-led start in Radlett, with strong behaviour and personal development

As an infant and nursery school, the school does not sit Key Stage 2 SATs, so there is no published Year 6 reading, writing and maths combined measure to compare in the way you would for a full primary school. This is a practical reality for parents using data-led shortlists, you are evaluating early foundations rather than end-of-primary outcomes.

The most useful academic signals therefore come from curriculum intent and the way early reading is taught. Reading is explicitly positioned as central, and the school teaches phonics using Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised, starting in nursery and Reception with a structured progression.

The curriculum is described as deliberately sequenced and designed so children build knowledge over time, with early years learning linked carefully into what follows in Reception and Key Stage 1. That sequencing matters most in an infant school, because children move fast from play-based early years into more formal literacy, handwriting, and number work, and any gaps in planning show up quickly.

Early reading is a clear operational priority, not just a statement of intent. The phonics programme, the matching of decodable books to taught sounds, and the routines around repeated reading are all designed to build fluency without children becoming dependent on guessing.

Support for pupils with additional needs is framed as part of the mainstream teaching model rather than something separate. Plans are reviewed with families and professionals, and adaptations are made to help many pupils keep pace with learning, with more tailored support used where needed.

Because the school ends at age 7, transition is a core part of the parent decision. The school is explicit that most children move on to Fair Field Junior School, described as the linked junior school, with transition managed carefully and peer groups typically staying together.

For families thinking further ahead, this means you are effectively considering a two-step journey, infant to junior, then junior to secondary. It can suit children who benefit from stability and familiar friendships, and it can suit parents who value consistent expectations across the primary years.

Reception admissions are coordinated through Hertfordshire’s local authority process, with a stated closing date of 15 January 2026 for September 2026 entry.

For nursery entry, the school publishes its own dates and practical steps, including parent tour sessions and a closing date of 25 March 2026 for September 2026/27 nursery applications. It also notes that a nursery place does not give priority for Reception entry, which is important for families assuming an automatic pathway.

Demand indicators suggest oversubscription for Reception entry, at roughly 1.71 applications per place in the most recent recorded cycle, which typically means distance, siblings, and any faith-related criteria in the admissions arrangements can become decisive. (This review does not include a last-distance-offered figure because none is provided for this school.)

Parents weighing realistic chances should use FindMySchool’s Map Search to check their precise home-to-school distance and keep an eye on annual variation in local patterns, especially in areas where housing turnover can shift demand quickly.

The school’s pastoral model is built around early identification and clear communication with families. Staff are trained to notice and report concerns, and safeguarding systems are described as well-established. Inspectors confirmed that safeguarding arrangements are effective.

At pupil level, the wellbeing approach is practical and age-appropriate. Children are supported to recognise emotions and seek help, and there are structured roles and routines that encourage positive peer interactions at breaktimes.

Clubs at infant level work best when they are predictable, well-run, and genuinely age-appropriate, and the school publishes a clear enrichment offer. The current lunchtime clubs listed include French (Year 2), Chess (Years 1 and 2), Choir, and Cheerleading (Reception to Year 2).

For children, the implication is a chance to try structured activities early, with low barriers to participation in school-based routines. For parents, the implication is twofold, enrichment that builds confidence, and, in some cases, practical childcare support around the working day when combined with wraparound provision.

The school publishes clear hours. Breakfast club runs from 7:45am, and the main school day ends at 3:20pm for Reception to Year 2. Nursery has session-specific timings, including a 3:15pm end to the day.

Wraparound care is available, with breakfast club and an after-school club running until 6:00pm for Reception to Year 2 on stated days.

For travel, Radlett’s local transport links are likely to matter most for parents commuting, while short local journeys matter most for day-to-day drop-off. Families should check route practicality at peak times, especially if relying on walking and parking in the immediate area.

• Infant-only age range. This is a 3 to 7 setting, so you are choosing an early-years and Key Stage 1 experience, not an all-through primary. Families should think about the junior school transition early, particularly if siblings will follow.

• Nursery does not guarantee Reception. The school is explicit that nursery attendance does not give priority for Reception entry, so families should avoid assuming a seamless automatic route.

• Oversubscription pressure. Local demand signals indicate more applicants than places, so admissions rules and distance realities can be the limiting factor rather than the quality of the education itself.

• Leadership improvement capacity. The main improvement area highlighted in the most recent report relates to ensuring leadership checks translate into consistently improved classroom practice, particularly where leaders are new to role.

A clear choice for families seeking a Church of England infant and nursery school in Radlett with strong behaviour, thoughtful personal development, and a structured approach to early reading. It suits children who benefit from calm routines and parents who value an explicitly values-led setting. The main constraint for many families is likely to be admission, not what the school offers once a place is secured.