Ringwood Church of England Infant School

About Ringwood Church of England Infant School

Ringwood Church of England Infant School is a popular choice among local families, with parent confidence clearly reflected in its admission figures. For the 2025/26 intake, the school received 101 applications for just 64 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.58. Of those, 61 families put it as their first preference, and all 61 received an offer. This level of demand suggests a strong reputation among parents in the New Forest area. The school is a state-funded, mixed-gender Church of England infant school for children aged 5 to 7, with a capacity of 270 and currently 254 pupils on roll. Around 18.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which is in line with the national average for primary schools. Headteacher Hilary Silk leads the school, which was rated Good overall in its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2021, with Outstanding marks for personal development, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management.

Academically, the school’s most recent Ofsted report highlights strong foundations in early years and key stage 1. The quality of education was rated Good, and early years provision was also Good. Behaviour and attitudes, as well as personal development, were judged Outstanding, which points to a school that prioritises character and social skills alongside academic learning. While specific KS2 SATs results are not available for this infant-only school, the local authority average for KS2 attainment across Hampshire is 61, and the school sits within a competitive local landscape that includes top-performing primaries like Preston Candover Church of England Primary School. The school’s previous inspection in 2007 awarded it Outstanding overall, so the current Good rating represents a slight change, but the inspection team noted that leadership and management remain Outstanding, and the school continues to perform well on the key measures that matter most for this age group.

The school offers a range of facilities including a library, dining hall, playing fields, outdoor playground, ICT suite, and a chapel, reflecting its Church of England character. Sports provision is broad for an infant school, with swimming, gymnastics, netball, dance, cricket, tennis, and athletics all available. Clubs include coding, chess, choir, and eco club, giving children plenty of enrichment opportunities. The school is well equipped for SEND support, with provisions for moderate learning difficulty, speech and language needs, hearing impairment, physical disability, autistic spectrum disorder, and other difficulties. This makes it a strong option for families whose children may need additional support in a mainstream setting. Given its oversubscription, families should apply early and list it as a first preference to maximise their chances. It suits parents who value a church school with strong pastoral care and a clear focus on personal development from the very start of primary education.

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