Chatsworth Infant School Review 2026: A calm, purposeful start in Sidcup, with nursery and a clear early reading focus

Because the school educates pupils up to Year 2, it does not have the standard Year 6 Key Stage 2 performance measures that parents often use to compare primary schools nationally. In practice, that shifts the evidence base toward curriculum quality, early reading, and the consistency of teaching and routines.

External evidence points strongly in that direction. The graded inspection outcome on 18 September 2019 was Good overall, with Outstanding judgements recorded for behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. The 2025 ungraded report then focuses on how well the curriculum is developed and embedded across subjects, with reading positioned central to the curriculum and staff trained to deliver the school’s chosen phonics programme.

For families, the implication is that this is a school where early literacy should feel systematic rather than improvised. That tends to benefit most children, and it can be especially helpful for pupils who need repetition, clear modelling, and careful checking for understanding.

Early years and Key Stage 1 are strongest when they combine structure with play and exploration. Chatsworth’s published information suggests it aims for that balance.

In Reception, the school states that it follows the Little Wandle programme for phonics, teaching phonemes at a rapid pace so children can blend and segment words, and it also sets out a structured mathematics approach using White Rose and Numberblocks to build secure number knowledge from the start. This is the kind of clarity many parents look for, because it makes it easier to reinforce learning at home without second guessing the school’s method.

In nursery, the approach is framed through the Early Years Foundation Stage, with children accessing the seven areas of learning through adult led and child led activities, supported by a language rich environment that develops speech, language and communication. The nursery page also describes a weekly Forest School session for nursery children, with practical kit guidance that signals it is not an occasional enrichment add on, it is built into routine.

At school level, the 2025 Ofsted report supports a picture of a carefully sequenced curriculum from early years to Year 2, with teachers selecting appropriate activities, checking learning, and adapting teaching to address gaps. The report also describes reading books being closely matched to pupils’ phonics knowledge, with extra support for any pupils who find reading difficult. For parents, this points to a school where early reading is likely to be tightly monitored, with intervention happening promptly rather than waiting for problems to compound.

As an infant school, Chatsworth’s main transition point is into junior school. The school explicitly references working closely with the junior school it feeds, Burnt Oak, and encourages families to tour the partner school to understand the full primary experience. That is a useful signal for parents who want continuity, because it suggests that curriculum and pastoral expectations are likely to be discussed across schools, even when they are separate establishments.

For families thinking longer term, the key implication is to treat the infant years as the foundation for junior school readiness, habits of attendance, listening, early reading, and confidence with number. If a child leaves Year 2 reading fluently and feeling safe in school, the transition into Key Stage 2 tends to be markedly smoother.

Reception admissions are coordinated through the London Borough of Bexley, and the school confirms a published admissions number of 60 for Reception. The council’s published timetable for September 2026 Reception entry states that applications open on 1 September 2025 and close on 15 January 2026. The council also states that on time outcomes are notified on 16 April 2026.

The school also explains how distance is measured for its oversubscription arrangements, as a straight line from the home address to the door of the main office reception. That clarity matters because it reduces ambiguity, but it also means families should not rely on “feel” or walking routes. Use FindMySchool’s Map Search to check precise distance from your address.

Demand is a defining feature here. In the most recent admissions snapshot available, there were 225 applications for 60 offers, and first preferences exceeded offers, which aligns with an oversubscribed picture rather than a school with spare capacity.

Nursery is organised differently. The school states that it runs a morning and an afternoon session with 26 places per session, and notes limited 30 hour placements subject to eligibility and availability. It also states that tours for prospective Nursery families run in the Spring term. Parents should expect nursery admissions to involve closer direct contact with the school and the local authority process, particularly around funded hours.

At infant stage, pastoral strength is usually visible in small daily practices, consistent routines, explicit teaching of behaviour, and swift response to worries. The 2025 Ofsted report presents a strong narrative around pupils feeling safe, adults knowing pupils well, and pupils behaving well in and out of lessons.

Personal development is also described as a strength, including teaching pupils how to look after their own mental and physical wellbeing, such as learning mindfulness and breathing techniques to help them feel calm. For parents of children who can become overwhelmed, the implication is that emotional regulation is treated as part of the curriculum, not just a response after something goes wrong.

The school also highlights inclusion in its stated values. Families with emerging needs should still ask detailed questions during tours about how support is implemented day to day, but the external evidence suggests that identifying and supporting additional needs is handled proactively.

At this age, “extra curricular” is less about elite performance and more about widening experiences and building confidence. There are some useful specifics in the school’s published information and external report evidence.

The nursery offer includes Forest School every week, with children attending in waterproofs and wellies. That is a practical, memorable form of learning, and it often supports language development, turn taking, and resilience, especially for children who learn best through movement and sensory experience.

The wider school also uses The Pioneer Passport programme to map cultural, sporting, and skill based experiences. For Key Stage 1, it describes a “Seven by Seven” set of activities, such as visiting a farm, observing life cycles like butterflies or frogs, creating art for an exhibition, experiencing a forest and building a den, and going on a picnic with friends. This works as a structured enrichment spine, and the implication for families is that enrichment is planned rather than left to chance.

The 2025 Ofsted report also notes that pupils appreciate a range of clubs, including performing arts, sports clubs, and a board games club, and that they enjoy visits in the local area as well as London museums and attractions, with the Cutty Sark mentioned as an example. Those experiences can be particularly valuable for children who have not yet had many trips beyond their neighbourhood.

The school publishes a detailed outline of the school day. Gates open from 8:30am to 8:45am, and the school day ends at 3:15pm, with the school noting compulsory weekly timings of 32.5 hours.

Wraparound care is listed on the website navigation, but the page itself does not currently set out provision details. Parents who need breakfast or after school care should clarify current arrangements directly with the school during the admissions process.

For travel, this is a Sidcup location serving local families, so walking and short car journeys are likely to be common. Parents should ask about drop off and collection routines during tours, particularly if they also have a child at the partner junior school.

• High demand for Reception places. With 225 applications for 60 offers in the most recent snapshot, competition is real. Families should build a realistic list of preferences and understand how distance is measured.

• Infant school structure. This is a nursery to Year 2 setting, so there will be a transition to junior school after Year 2. The school encourages families to explore the partner junior school early.

• Nursery funding and sessions vary by eligibility. The school references limited 30 hour placements subject to eligibility and availability, and notes additional sessions and lunch costs may apply, so families should confirm the current arrangement early.

• Wraparound detail is not currently published on the site. If childcare wrap is essential for your family, treat this as a key question on the tour rather than an assumption.

Chatsworth Infant School looks like a structured, welcoming setting where early reading and consistent routines are taken seriously, with strong evidence of calm behaviour expectations and a carefully sequenced curriculum. It suits families who want a clear start to education in nursery and early years, and who value purposeful enrichment like Forest School and the Pioneer Passport experiences. The main hurdle is admission demand, so families should plan early, understand how allocations work in Bexley, and build a realistic shortlist.