Shottermill Infant School Review 2026: Small, values-led start to school life in Shottermill

Because Shottermill Infant School serves pupils up to age 7, parents should not expect the same published results profile as a Key Stage 2 primary. There is no Key Stage 2 combined reading, writing and mathematics data to compare here, and FindMySchool rankings for primary outcomes are not available for this school.

A more useful lens is the quality of early reading and the consistency of classroom routines. The January 2023 inspection highlights a well-sequenced phonics programme that is embedded across staff training and daily practice, with a strong emphasis on re-reading matched books to develop fluency. For families, the implication is straightforward; if your child needs structure and repetition to gain confidence as a reader, the approach described should suit well.

In infant settings, teaching quality is often most visible in the basics done exceptionally well, phonics, early number, talk, play, and the steady building of independence. The school’s early years curriculum materials emphasise attitudes to learning such as curiosity, concentration, resilience, and enjoyment. That framing is useful for parents, because it signals that learning behaviours are treated as something to teach explicitly, rather than hoping children arrive with them fully formed.

The inspection’s improvement points are worth taking seriously, particularly the push for curriculum precision in early years so that knowledge builds cumulatively into Key Stage 1. For most families this translates into a practical question to ask on a tour; how does the school decide what children should know by the end of Reception, and how does that connect to Year 1 and Year 2?

As an infant school, the main transition is into Year 3 at a junior or primary school. For many local families, Shottermill Junior School is the natural next step, and the junior school describes transition work beginning towards the end of Year 2, with activities and communication between staff teams.

It is important to note that moving on is not automatic. Families still need to apply for a Year 3 place through the usual admissions process, even when children are transferring at the end of Year 2. That can catch parents out if they assume an infant-to-junior pathway is guaranteed.

Reception admissions are coordinated through Surrey’s normal process. The school is oversubscribed on the Reception entry route with 114 applications for 45 offers, so it is sensible to treat this as a school where timely applications and careful reading of criteria matter.

For September 2026 Reception entry, the school’s admissions page states that applications are made between 03 November 2025 and 15 January 2026, for children born between 01 September 2021 and 31 August 2022. If you are outside those dates, the most reliable approach is to check Surrey’s published timetable and the school’s current admissions guidance, as exact windows can shift slightly year to year.

For parents doing shortlists, FindMySchool’s Map Search is useful here, because oversubscription means small differences in priority criteria can decide outcomes. Where distance criteria apply, it is still wise to check your exact home-to-school measurement method used by the local authority.

At infant stage, pastoral care is not a bolt-on, it is the means by which learning can happen. The January 2023 inspection describes staff building strong relationships with pupils, teaching children how to recognise and report concerns, and embedding safety messages in age-appropriate ways. This points to a school that sees emotional security as the prerequisite for progress, not a competing priority.

Bullying is addressed through early teaching about respectful behaviour and speaking up, with the inspection indicating it is rare. For parents, the practical implication is to ask how staff handle low-level unkindness and friendship fallouts, because those are the day-to-day realities in Reception and Key Stage 1.

Enrichment at this stage works best when it is concrete, sensory, and varied, rather than an oversized menu of clubs that exhausts families. Shottermill Infant School’s enrichment pages suggest a programme built around experiences that children remember and that strengthen vocabulary and confidence.

Examples include:

• Zoolab style animal encounters and visiting workshops, which typically support early science language and careful handling routines.

• Book Week activities, which reinforce reading identity and make stories part of school culture rather than only a lesson objective.

• Yoga and wellbeing sessions, which can help younger children practise self-regulation and listening skills in a structured way.

• Puppet making, theatre groups, and music workshops, which build speaking, performance confidence, and collaborative play.

A quieter but meaningful feature is the house system introduction, particularly because it links through to the junior school. For some children, belonging to a named group becomes a stabilising thread across years and across a big transition.

The school day is clearly defined. Doors open at 08:45 and registration is at 08:55; the school day ends at 15:00. Wraparound care is available, with breakfast club from 07:45 and after-school care running until 18:00.

For transport and daily logistics, this is a school many families will walk to if they live close enough to be competitive in admissions. If you drive, ask about drop-off patterns and where the school expects parking, as infant sites can become congested quickly at peak times.

• Oversubscription reality. With 114 applications for 45 offers on the Reception entry route entry can be the limiting factor. Have a realistic backup plan early.

• No headline outcomes results at this phase. If you strongly prefer schools where published Key Stage 2 outcomes drive your decision, this age range will feel less data-rich. You will need to rely more on curriculum approach and inspection evidence.

• Year 3 is a fresh application. Transfer at the end of Year 2 requires an application through the normal process. Do not assume a guaranteed place at the next school.

• Early years curriculum refinement. The latest inspection highlighted the need for sharper precision in what children should learn in some early years areas. Ask how that work has progressed since January 2023.

Shottermill Infant School looks best suited to families who want a structured, caring start to formal schooling, with clear routines, strong early reading practice, and a community feel. The school’s small intake size can be a real strength for young pupils, and wraparound care up to 18:00 helps working families. The main challenge is admission competition, and families should plan for the Year 2 to Year 3 transition early, because it involves a separate application.