Ad Astra Infant School, Poole

Ofsted's report card from its 28 April 2026 inspection grades Ad Astra Infant School on 7 areas: 1 strong standard and 6 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Inclusion runs through the fabric of Ad Astra Infant School."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Leaders ensure that pupils learn the important basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "The school promotes the importance of pupils attending regularly in many different ways."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed a broad and ambitious curriculum."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum for the early years."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders, trustees and staff are proud to be part of the school's community."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The school's programme for pupils' personal development is interwoven throughout the curriculum."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to develop staff expertise so that they incisively check pupils' learning to identify gaps and build pupils' knowledge sequentially"; "Leaders should further develop pupils' secure and detailed knowledge across the wider curriculum".

In its own words: "Ad Astra is the smallest of the four schools within the TEACH Trust, and due to its cosy size, has a warm and nurturing atmosphere. Enwrapped with greenery, Ad Astra has the luxury of beautiful grounds, a large field, nature zones and newly refurbished play areas."

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.

Coming up: an open evening on Thursday 5 November 2026, an open day on Friday 6 November 2026 and an open day on Monday 9 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

For September 2026 entry, 68 families put Ad Astra Infant School as their first choice and 178 named it as one of their preferences, for 76 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Ad Astra Infant School are Haymoor Junior School (0.2 miles, Good, 83% reading, 72% maths); Canford Heath Infant School (0.8 miles, Outstanding); Canford Heath Junior School (0.8 miles, Good, 85% reading, 84% maths); and Hillbourne Primary School (1.2 miles, 90% reading, 73% maths).

Ad Astra Infant School is one of 4 schools run by Teach Poole, an academy trust.

16.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest railway station is Parkstone (Dorset) Rail Station, about 2 miles away in a straight line.

9 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Ashdown School (se-bound), 70 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 127 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and other theft. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (223).

In 2024/25, Ad Astra Infant School issued 2 suspensions, 0.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Ad Astra Infant School are Magna Academy (under 0.1 miles); Poole Grammar School (0.7 miles); St Edward's Roman Catholic/Church of England School, Poole (0.8 miles); and Parkstone Grammar School (1 mile).