Cupernham Infant School Review 2026: A calm, structured start to schooling in Romsey

Infant schools sit slightly differently landscape than full primaries because pupils leave at the end of Year 2, so parents should expect fewer headline measures that allow easy comparisons across England. In practice, the most useful “results” signals at this stage are the quality of early reading, curriculum clarity, and how well pupils are prepared for Key Stage 2 at their next school.

Early reading is a central strength in the evidence. The inspection report describes teachers as experts in early reading, with phonics taught from the start of Reception, books matched to the sounds pupils know, and extra support structured so pupils keep pace.

There is also an explicit improvement priority worth taking seriously: checks on what pupils remember over time are not yet consistently embedded beyond reading, which can affect how well learning accumulates across subjects. Parents who care about long-term retention should ask how this is being addressed in practice, for example through recap routines, retrieval practice, or end-of-unit checks in foundation subjects.

The curriculum is described as ambitious and sequenced, including from early years, so that pupils build knowledge steadily rather than meeting disconnected topics. A practical indicator of this is the way learning is framed through themed units, with supporting materials published for families.

Examples from Year 1 and Year 2 planning show a topic-led structure that still keeps subject disciplines visible. In Year 2, Autumn units include Dazzling Dinosaurs and Traditional Tales with a Twist, with linked learning across computing, music, art, history, physical education, and personal development topics.

In Year 1, units include Traditional Tales and Toys and Jump on Board the Campervan, again with clear subject strands rather than one blended “project”.

Early years is treated as foundational rather than simply childcare. Evidence points to deliberate language development in Reception and a strong start that prepares children for Year 1 routines and content.

Special educational needs support is described as purposeful. The inspection report highlights effective identification systems and individual planning that is routinely checked, with pupils with SEND learning the same curriculum as peers and doing well.

On the staffing side, the deputy headteacher also holds SENDCo and EYFS leadership responsibilities, which can help align classroom practice with support planning.

For most families, the key transition is into Key Stage 2 at a junior school. Cupernham Infant School is explicitly linked to Cupernham Junior School within Hampshire’s admissions framework, and sibling rules also reference the linked junior school relationship.

That link does not guarantee a place, but it does shape local patterns. Families often plan the infant years with the junior progression in mind, so it is sensible to read the junior school’s admissions criteria alongside the infant school’s, especially if your address is close to a boundary or you are relying on sibling priority.

In practical terms, the best question to ask is how the school prepares Year 2 pupils for junior expectations: reading stamina, writing fluency, number sense, independence with equipment, and confidence moving between tasks. The inspection evidence suggests pupils are settled, engaged, and accustomed to clear routines, all of which generally supports a smooth Key Stage 2 handover.

Reception entry is coordinated by Hampshire County Council rather than handled directly by the school. The school directs families to apply through the local authority route and publishes the relevant admission policy documents for each year of entry.

Demand is real. For the most recent admissions cycle in the published figures, there were 147 applications for 90 offers, indicating the school was oversubscribed.

The admissions policy confirms that on-time applications for the September 2026 intake closed at midnight on 15 January 2026, with offer notifications due on 16 April 2026. If you are applying after the deadline, the policy makes clear that late applications are normally processed after on-time applications unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Priority criteria follow the local authority framework, including catchment considerations and sibling rules. The published policy also references the linked junior school relationship, which matters for some sibling scenarios and longer-term planning.

A practical tip for house-hunting families: use FindMySchool’s Map Search to check your exact location against catchment wording and the school gate distance, then keep a Plan B shortlist using Saved Schools, because oversubscription patterns can shift year to year.

Safeguarding leadership is transparent. The school states that the headteacher, Mr Duncan Wells, is the Designated Safeguarding Lead, supported by deputy safeguarding leads across leadership roles.

Behaviour expectations are deliberately simple and taught early, which is often what younger pupils need. The inspection evidence describes calm classes, quick adult refocusing when attention drifts, and little disruption to learning.

There is also evidence of structured pupil voice and responsibility in age-appropriate ways, including school council, eco-gang, house captains, and playground buddies for older infants. This matters for confidence and belonging at this age, especially for quieter children who need a defined role rather than having to push themselves forward socially.

This is an infant school that treats enrichment as part of the week, not an occasional add-on. The inspection report references a wide variety of clubs, including choir, tennis, animation, and Spanish, plus leadership and service roles such as eco-gang and school council.

The school’s own Spring 2026 clubs list adds detail and range. Options include Drama and Musical Theatre, Street Dance, Cheerleading, Drumming or Guitar (during and after school), Football, Karate (before school, hosted at the junior school hall), and Tennis coaching.

The implication for families is twofold. First, children who learn best through doing, performing, or moving get more chances to shine early, which can support confidence that carries back into reading and writing. Second, working parents can sometimes combine enrichment with pick-up timing, although places are described as first come, first served, so planning ahead matters.

The compulsory school day runs from 8.50am (classroom doors open, registration closes at 9.00am) to 3.20pm at pick-up, with gates opening at 8.35am.

Wraparound care is in place. Early Birds Breakfast Club runs from 7.30am to 8.45am, and the after-school provision runs from 3.20pm to either 5.00pm or 6.00pm depending on session. Pricing published for 2025 to 2026 includes £6.50 for Breakfast Club and £1 for an early drop option (Larks).

Uniform expectations are conventional and practical for this age group, including wellies kept in school for outdoor learning.

• Oversubscription is a real constraint. With 147 applications for 90 offers in the latest available cycle, admission is not a formality. Keep alternative infant options in view while you apply.

• Assessment consistency beyond reading is an improvement area. The published inspection evidence highlights that checks on what pupils remember over time are not yet fully embedded across subjects. Ask how this is being strengthened, and what it means for your child’s day-to-day learning.

• It is an infant school, so a move at 7 is built in. The school is linked to Cupernham Junior School in admissions documentation, but families should still understand the junior criteria early, especially if relying on sibling priority or catchment wording.

• Clubs are plentiful, but places can be limited. The school describes bookings as first come, first served for some clubs, so do not assume you can always secure the exact day or activity you want each term.

Cupernham Infant School offers a steady, well-organised start for younger pupils, with a clear behaviour culture, strong early reading practice, and enrichment that goes beyond the basics for an infant setting. The best fit is for families who want calm routines, consistent expectations, and a school that takes Reception seriously as the foundation for everything that follows. The main challenge is securing a place in an oversubscribed year group.