Tudor Grange Primary Academy Meon Vale Review 2026: A young free school with a calm culture and growing ambition

This is not yet a school where parents can rely on a long track record of published end of Key Stage 2 outcomes, because the school opened in 2019 with Nursery and Reception and, at the time of the February 2024 inspection, the oldest pupils were in Year 4. In practical terms, families should read the current academic story through curriculum quality, early reading, and classroom practice rather than headline SATs measures.

The latest external evidence indicates that curriculum planning has been done carefully, pupils study a wide range of subjects, and learning builds effectively on what pupils already know. A specific strength highlighted is the development of fluent reading at an early stage.

The improvement work is also clear. The same evidence points to some variation in how effectively staff implement the curriculum, particularly in questioning to check what pupils have learned and in the effectiveness of some small group work. For parents, the implication is straightforward: the curriculum intent is strong, and the day to day consistency is the key watch point, especially as year groups fill and staffing evolves.

To compare schools locally on outcomes once Key Stage 2 cohorts are established, parents can use the FindMySchool Local Hub comparison tools to view measures side by side across nearby primaries.

Teaching at Meon Vale is built around a wide subject offer. The school publishes subject information across areas including English, mathematics, history, geography, computing, design and technology, music, and physical education, with Latin also listed within its curriculum structure. For many families, Latin in a state primary is an eye catching sign of curriculum ambition and of a knowledge rich approach.

Early years information for families shows a structured daily rhythm with adult directed sessions (including literacy, phonics and mathematics) and a blend of child initiated learning in Nursery, aligning with the EYFS statutory framework.

The strongest implication for parents is that the school is trying to build “what good looks like” across phases as it grows. The question to explore on a visit is how consistently teachers check understanding and adapt in the moment, since this is explicitly identified as an area where practice varies.

As a primary serving up to age 11, the destination question is mainly about transition to local secondary schools and, for some families in Warwickshire, possible selective routes depending on location and individual preference. The school is still developing its oldest cohorts, so formal published transition patterns from Year 6 will take time to stabilise, and families should ask how Year 6 transition will be structured when cohorts reach that point.

In the meantime, look for practical transition habits rather than brand names, for example, links with local secondaries, how pastoral handover works, and whether pupils receive structured preparation for the social and organisational shift to secondary.

Reception entry is coordinated through the local authority in the normal admissions round. The school’s published admissions policy for 2026 to 2027 entry confirms the statutory application deadline of 15 January 2026 and refers to national offer day on 16 April 2026. Warwickshire’s coordinated admissions guidance also states that primary applications open on 1 November 2025, with the same 15 January 2026 deadline and offers issued on 16 April 2026.

Demand is real. For the most recent Reception entry route figures provided for this review, there were 57 applications for 31 offers, indicating oversubscription and competition for places.

The most practical advice is to treat Meon Vale as a school where timing and accuracy matter. Submit on time, understand the published oversubscription criteria, and make sure any supporting evidence required for a category is provided alongside the application, since the admissions policy explicitly warns that missing documentation can affect how an application is ranked.

Families can use FindMySchoolMap Search to check precise distance from the school compared with other options, even where the last offered distance varies year to year.

Pastoral care is described in the latest inspection evidence as good, and pupils are reported to feel safe and confident, with adults available to talk to. Behaviour is presented as consistently positive: pupils behave well in lessons, and the school is characterised as calm and orderly, which is a meaningful signal for families prioritising focus and emotional safety.

Safeguarding culture is also referenced through inspection process detail, including evaluation of the single central record and the school’s safeguarding culture. Parents should still ask the practical questions: how concerns are logged, how staff are trained, and how online safety and respectful behaviour are taught in an age appropriate way.

For a growing primary, breadth matters, and the school offers a programme of experiences beyond lessons. The inspection report notes trips and visitors contributing to learning and that the school has begun residential visits to develop pupils’ character.

After school activity is weighted towards sport, according to the same evidence, and examples from school communications show structured club blocks across terms. Recent club lists include options such as Mini Athletics (for younger year groups), Archery, and Gymnastics clubs offered as part of the after school programme.

Pupils also have opportunities to take on responsibility roles and contribute to the running of the school, which is often a strong indicator of how quickly a newer school develops its own pupil leadership culture.

The school day timings for early years are published in parent induction materials. For Reception, the day is shown as starting at 8:45am and ending at 3:15pm, with lunchtime in the middle of the day. Nursery materials describe Nursery opening at 9:00am, with sessions running through to 3:15pm for full day children.

Wraparound care is available. The school’s wrap around care information lists an after school club running from 3:15pm to 5:30pm, and the published cost is £5.50 per session. Breakfast provision is referenced in inspection evidence and school communications, and parents should check current start times and booking processes, since operational arrangements can change year to year.

School meals information indicates charges for some year groups and free meal entitlements for others; parents should check current eligibility and payment processes before term starts.

• A short track record by design. The school opened in 2019 and at the February 2024 inspection its oldest pupils were in Year 4. That means families should assess quality through curriculum, teaching consistency, and culture rather than relying on long established end of Key Stage 2 results.

• Consistency of delivery is the improvement lever. External evidence highlights some variation in how effectively staff implement the curriculum, including questioning and small group work. Ask what training and monitoring has been put in place since the 2024 inspection.

• Competition for places. Recent Reception entry route demand indicates oversubscription. Families should apply on time and read the oversubscription criteria carefully so supporting evidence is not missed.

• Wraparound is available, but check the fine print. After school club hours and pricing are published, but capacities and booking systems can be tight. Confirm availability early if childcare is non negotiable.

Meon Vale is a growing state primary with a clear culture, a carefully planned curriculum, and a calm feel that comes through in the latest external evidence. The school is best suited to families who want a values led environment, are comfortable with a newer school still building its full results story, and are prepared to engage early with admissions because demand is strong. The key decision point is less about whether the school has the right direction of travel, and more about whether classroom consistency and small group teaching are developing at the pace you want as the school scales.