High Down Infant School

About High Down Infant School

High Down Infant School is clearly a popular choice among local families. In the 2025/26 admissions round, the school received 83 applications for just 52 places, giving it an oversubscription ratio of 1.6. All 52 first-preference applicants were offered a place, which suggests that for those who list it as their top choice, the odds are very good. The school has a nursery provision, which may help families secure a place from age three onwards. While the Department for Education’s Parent View data is not included in this snapshot, the strong demand alone signals a positive reputation in the community. The school is a state-funded, mixed-gender infant school for children aged 3 to 7, located in North Somerset. It is non-religious and led by headteacher Abi Oldfield. With 214 pupils on roll against a capacity of 300, there is still some room for growth, but the oversubscription figures show it is already a sought-after option for local parents.

Academically, High Down Infant School was rated Good in its most recent Ofsted inspection in November 2022, with every category — quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision — all receiving a Good rating. This is a solid result, though it represents a step down from its previous inspection in 2008, when it was rated Outstanding across the board. Because the school only covers Key Stage 1, there are no KS2 SATs results to compare against the North Somerset local authority average of 61. However, the early years provision is rated Good, and the school’s focus on the foundation stage is a key part of its offering. For parents looking at infant schools specifically, this is a reliable choice with a strong track record, even if it no longer holds the top Ofsted grade. The school’s facilities include a sensory room, forest school area, music rooms, art studios, and an ICT suite, all of which support a broad early-years curriculum.

The school offers a range of clubs including chess, science club, coding, eco club, book club, and film club, as well as sports such as netball, tennis, football, gymnastics, and cricket. For children with additional needs, the school has identified SEND provisions for social, emotional and mental health, and for speech, language and communication needs. The nearest Outstanding-rated primary school is St Peter’s Church of England Primary School, 1.5 km away, which may be an alternative for families who prioritise that top grade. High Down Infant School suits families who want a well-regarded, non-religious infant school with strong demand from local parents, a good Ofsted rating, and a wide range of enrichment activities. The oversubscription means it is worth applying early, but the high first-preference offer rate is reassuring. It is a solid, popular choice for the early years in North Somerset.

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