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Merrydale Infant School

Leicester, LE5 0PLPrimaryAges 3–7MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Nov 2023
KS2 Results
No data
Competition
1.0×
Not oversubscribed
83 1st-choice / 83 places
Ranking
Not ranked

About Merrydale Infant School

Merrydale Infant School is a state primary in Leicester that is significantly oversubscribed, a clear signal of its popularity among local families. The school has 353 pupils on roll against a capacity of 270, meaning it is operating well above its intended size. This demand is reflected in the most recent admissions data for the 2025/26 academic year: the school received 107 applications for 83 places, with all 83 first-preference applicants offered a spot, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.29. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 24.6%, which is notably higher than the national average for primary schools (typically around 23-24%) and suggests the school serves a community with above-average levels of disadvantage. The school is mixed-gender and non-religious, catering for children aged 3 to 7, and includes a nursery provision. With a headteacher, Mark Tipple-Johnson, leading a Good-rated school, the intake profile points to a setting that is both in high demand and reflective of its local demographic.

Key Details

School TypePrimary (State)
Age Range3 to 7 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterDoes not apply
AddressClaydon Road, Leicester, Leicester, LE5 0PL
HeadteacherMark Tipple-Johnson
Local AuthorityLeicester
Number of Pupils353
Free School Meals (FSM)24.6%
School Capacity353 / 270 (131% full)
Nursery ClassesYes

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

21 Nov 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Early Years Provision
Good

Source: Ofsted, 21 Jan 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

6
Outdoor PlaygroundArt StudiosMusic RoomsICT SuiteSensory RoomChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

8

Sports

DanceFootballTennisCricketRounders

Clubs & Activities

GardeningBook ClubScience Club

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

Speech & LanguageLearning Difficulty

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Merrydale Infant School

Merrydale Infant School has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.