Merrow CofE Controlled Infant School

About Merrow CofE Controlled Infant School

Merrow CofE Controlled Infant School sits within Surrey, a local authority with 298 primary schools, 33 of which hold an Outstanding rating from Ofsted. The school itself is rated Good, placing it within the solid middle tier of provision in the county. Among its local peers, the top-performing primary schools by ranking score are South Farnham School (100), The Raleigh School (94), and Cardinal Newman Catholic Primary School (93). For families seeking an Outstanding-rated alternative nearby, Burpham Primary School is just 1.9 kilometres away. Merrow is a small Church of England infant school with 107 pupils on roll, oversubscribed by a ratio of 3.27 to 1 for its 26 places in the 2025/26 admissions round. It received 85 total applications, with 24 first-preference offers made, indicating strong local demand. The school serves children aged 4 to 7, meaning families will need to plan for a separate junior school transition after Year 2.

In its most recent Ofsted inspection in November 2023, the school received a Good rating across all five graded categories: quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and early years provision. This represents a change from its previous inspection in 2011, where it was rated Outstanding overall, with early years provision graded at Requires Improvement and leadership and management at Good. The current inspection notes that the school has maintained strong behaviour and attitudes, with personal development also rated Good. Academic outcomes data is not provided in the school’s profile, so direct comparison to Surrey’s Key Stage 2 average of 66 per cent is not possible for this infant-only setting. However, the school’s consistent Good rating across all areas suggests a stable and effective learning environment for its youngest pupils. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 13.1 per cent, slightly below the national average for primary schools.

The school offers a range of facilities including an outdoor playground, art studios, a dining hall, a library, and a chapel, reflecting its Church of England foundation. Sports provision covers dance, gymnastics, rounders, and cricket, while extracurricular clubs include book club, film club, choir, chess, science club, and drama. For children with additional needs, the school supports specific learning difficulties including dyslexia, moderate learning difficulty, speech, language and communication needs, and autistic spectrum disorder. With no nursery provision or official sixth form, the school is strictly for infant-age children. Given its oversubscription rate and high first-preference demand, this school will suit families living within the immediate catchment area who value a small, faith-based infant setting with strong pastoral care and a broad range of clubs. Parents should be prepared to secure a place early and plan for the next step at a junior school from Year 3 onwards.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Merrow CofE Controlled Infant School

Helpful Guides for Parents