Calmore Infant School
98%
Capacity
176
Pupils
1.6x
Demand
About Calmore Infant School
Calmore Infant School is a popular choice among local families, with 82 applications for 53 places in the 2025/26 admissions round, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.55. Of those, 47 first-preference offers were made from 49 first-preference applications, suggesting that most families who put it top of their list were successful. The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection, an ungraded visit in October 2023, judged that it remains Good and is improving. Its previous graded inspection in 2014 also rated it Good overall, with Good marks for leadership and management, and Good for early years provision. The school has held a Good rating across both its recent inspections, which will reassure parents looking for consistent quality. With 176 pupils on roll against a capacity of 180, the school is nearly full, reflecting its standing in the New Forest area.
Academically, Calmore Infant School serves children from age 4 to 7, so there are no Key Stage 2 SATs results to report — the school feeds into a junior school at Year 3. The most recent Ofsted breakdown from the 2014 graded inspection rated early years provision as Good, and leadership and management as Good. The school’s percentage of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 27.3%, above the national average, which may indicate a relatively diverse intake. In the wider Hampshire local authority, 33 out of 425 primary schools are rated Outstanding, with the nearest Outstanding option being Hazel Wood Infant School, 1.3 km away. For parents comparing options, Calmore’s consistent Good rating and oversubscription suggest it is a solid, well-regarded choice within the local area.
The school offers a range of facilities including a gymnasium, ICT suite, playing fields, forest school area, and a chapel. Sports provision covers netball, dance, swimming, cricket, and cross country, while clubs include eco club, drama, coding, and choir. For children with additional needs, the school lists SEND provisions for moderate learning difficulty, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, and physical disability. The school does not have a nursery or sixth form, and is not a boarding school. Calmore Infant School will suit families in the New Forest who want a smaller, community-focused infant school with strong parent demand, a Good Ofsted rating, and a broad range of activities despite its size. The oversubscription ratio confirms it is a sought-after option for the 4–7 age group.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 4 to 7 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Calmore Drive, Southampton, New Forest, SO40 2ZZ |
| Headteacher | Sarah Willes |
| Local Authority | Hampshire |
| Number of Pupils | 176 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 27.3% |
| School Capacity | 176 / 180 (98% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
18 Oct 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (18 Oct 2023): School remains Good (Improving) - S5 Next
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 3 Oct 2014. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
5Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
9Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed53
82
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
49 families put this school as their 1st choice (60% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Above the national average (25%) — higher-disadvantage intake.
Lower than the national median (10%) — mostly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British88.6%
- White (other)5.1%
- Mixed1.8%
- Black0.6%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Better than 75% of schools in England.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
6
Total schools
4
Oversubscribed
5
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Calmore Infant School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Calmore Drive, Southampton
New Forest, SO40 2ZZ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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