Studley Infants’ School Review 2026: Early-years focus with strong belonging

For infant schools, there is naturally less published end-of-Key Stage data than parents might see at a full primary, and this school’s results does not include the usual primary outcome metrics. Instead, the most reliable insight comes from curriculum evidence and external evaluation of how well children build early knowledge and habits.

The February 2024 inspection highlights a well-structured curriculum where lesson sequencing has been thought through carefully, so pupils build on what they already know. Mathematics is described as being taught with clear guidance and deliberate revisiting of prior learning, which is particularly important at this age because small gaps can compound quickly.

Reading is treated as a key priority, beginning from Nursery and Reception through the school’s phonics approach. Most pupils become fluent readers before moving on, but the report also identifies a clear improvement focus, weaker readers are sometimes given books that are too difficult, which slows fluency and confidence. This is precisely the sort of technical issue that a strong infant school can fix quickly, but it is also something parents should ask about directly when visiting or speaking to staff.

At its best, early-years teaching is about precision, the right vocabulary, the right modelling, and the right practice, at the right moment. The inspection describes teachers deliberately building subject vocabulary, even in areas such as music, where younger pupils could explain concepts like pulse, tempo and pitch. That level of language work tends to show a coherent approach to knowledge-building across the curriculum, rather than treating “foundation subjects” as occasional extras.

SEND practice is a clear strength in the evidence available. Staff are described as identifying needs early and adapting lessons and resources effectively, with well-trained adults supporting pupils with higher levels of need. The Harbour further reinforces this, offering personalised activities, sensory support, and additional adult help to build confidence and independence for children who need a different pathway into learning.

Outdoor learning is also part of the school’s rhythm. Forest School is described as taking place on dedicated sites within the school grounds, focusing on hands-on experiences that develop confidence and self-esteem, as well as independence and cooperative skills. For many children, this supports not just knowledge, but readiness to learn, especially where regulation and attention are still developing.

Because this is an infant school, the main transition point is into Year 3 at a junior or primary setting. Warwickshire makes a specific point that moving from an infant school into a junior school does not happen automatically, even where names are similar, so families should plan ahead for Year 2.

Locally, one obvious onward route is Studley St Mary’s CofE Academy, which serves ages 7 to 11. Families should still treat this as a new application decision rather than an assumption, and confirm the relevant admissions arrangements for the year of transfer.

In practice, the value of a strong infant school is whether pupils leave Year 2 as confident readers, communicators, and learners who can cope with larger classes and wider curriculum expectations. The inspection suggests pupils are typically well prepared for the move to their next schools, with the key development priority being faster catch-up for weaker readers.

Reception entry is coordinated through Warwickshire’s primary admissions process. For September 2026 entry, applications opened on 1 November 2025 and the closing date is 15 January 2026, with National Offer Day on 16 April 2026.

The school’s published admission number (PAN) is 45, which sets the scale of each Reception intake. Recent demand data shows 78 applications for 45 offers, and first preference demand was slightly higher than places available, so families should assume competition for places.

Nursery entry is different. The school offers Nursery places and welcomes children from the term after they turn 3, with both 15 and 30 hour places referenced in official school information. Nursery to Reception is not an automatic transfer, families should still follow the Reception application route for a school place.

A practical tip: if you are comparing several local options, the FindMySchool Map Search is useful for checking which schools sit within realistic daily travel patterns, and for understanding how quickly options narrow once you factor in wraparound needs.

The inspection evidence points to a caring culture with strong staff-pupil relationships, pupils who behave well towards one another, and adults who respond when children are worried. This is supported by an explicit emphasis on emotional health, described as a strength, with a clear “never give up on anyone” culture.

The Harbour’s approach makes this more concrete. It describes sensory support as central to wellbeing and readiness to learn, plus personalised activities designed to build independence and social connection. Even for children not placed in The Harbour, this kind of practice can influence whole-school routines, language, and expectations around inclusion.

Attendance is flagged as an area where some groups of pupils are absent too often, and where current strategies are not yet having the intended impact. In an infant school, this matters academically because early reading and phonics are cumulative, missing short sequences can create lasting gaps.

In infant schools, “extracurricular” often looks less like a long club list and more like structured enrichment that broadens experience and strengthens learning habits.

Forest School is a strong example. Regular outdoor sessions on school grounds give children repeated practice in independence, cooperation and safe risk-taking, which can translate directly into better classroom focus and resilience.

Play is also treated as a serious developmental tool. The school references the OPAL project, positioning lunchtimes as a space for active play, problem solving, cooperation, and managing risk appropriately. That kind of play culture often improves behaviour because children learn how to negotiate rules and resolve minor conflicts without adult escalation.

For pupils who benefit from sport as routine, the school’s PE provision is supported by an external specialist, SDH Academy, delivering lessons and clubs. Meanwhile, music is used not just as performance, but as vocabulary and listening work, reinforced through workshops for the whole school.

Wraparound care is available in term time. Breakfast Club runs from 8.00am until the start of school, and after-school provision runs from the end of school until 4.25pm or 5.30pm.

For families using The Harbour, the published structure of the day indicates an 8.45am start and a 3.00pm finish, with lunch between 11.30 and 12.30, and flexibility for staggered starts depending on a child’s needs.

Being in central Studley can suit families who want a walkable routine, but it also means school-run logistics can be sensitive to timing. If transport and daily flow are make-or-break for your family, ask specifically about entry and exit arrangements, and how wraparound handovers work.

• Reading catch-up precision. Weaker readers are identified as a group needing better-matched books and learning so they can apply phonics confidently and build fluency faster. Ask how reading books are allocated, and what happens when a child is not keeping pace.

• Attendance variability. Attendance for some groups, including disadvantaged pupils, is flagged as too low, with current approaches not yet achieving the intended improvement. If your child is prone to anxiety, health-related absence, or irregular routines, ask what practical support is offered to prevent small gaps becoming big ones.

• Reception competition. With 78 applications for 45 offers in the recent results, entry can be pressured. If you are aiming for Reception in September 2026, follow Warwickshire’s deadlines closely.

• Junior transfer planning. Moving on at the end of Year 2 requires an application, it does not happen automatically. Families should plan for this early, particularly if childcare patterns or siblings shape your preferred choices.

Studley Infants’ School offers a focused early-years experience, with evidence of strong relationships, an orderly curriculum, and a clear commitment to inclusion. The Harbour provision is a genuine differentiator for families needing specialist support in communication and interaction. The main question for many parents is not whether the setting is caring, it is whether reading support for weaker readers is now tightly matched enough to accelerate progress.

Best suited to families who want a structured, nurturing start from Nursery through Year 2, and who value inclusion and wraparound care. For those prioritising rapid early reading catch-up, it is worth probing the school’s current approach to book matching and phonics support.