Castle Hill Infant School, BASINGSTOKE

Ofsted's report card from its 12 May 2026 inspection grades Castle Hill 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. "The school places inclusion at the heart of everything it does."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils achieve well and are well prepared for the next stage of their education."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Pupils enjoy coming to school and arrive each day happy and ready to learn."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed a curriculum that places pupils' needs firmly at its centre."

Early years - Expected standard. "Staff provide nurturing, carefully considered education in the early years, ensuring children make a positive and happy start to school life."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders know their school and the community they serve extremely well."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders promote pupils' personal development and wellbeing effectively."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure all staff apply the school's agreed teaching approaches consistently, maintaining high expectations for the quality of work in pupils' books across all subject areas"; "Leaders should further support staff to strengthen the quality of their interactions with children in the early years to consistently build on children's knowledge and extend their vocabulary and learning".

From the headteacher's welcome: "My Chair of Governors and I would like to warmly welcome you to Castle Hill Infant School, a school that provides an excellent education and strives to be at the heart of the community. I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to lead this exceptional school community."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, rugby, gymnastics, karate, ballet and chess.

Coming up: an open day on Monday 9 November 2026 at 9.30am, an open day on Thursday 12 November 2026 at 9.30am, an open day on Monday 23 November 2026 at 9.30am and an open day on Thursday 26 November 2026 at 9.30am. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

For September 2026 entry, 46 families put Castle Hill Infant School as their first choice and 97 named it as one of their preferences, for 52 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 Castle Hill Infant School are Castle Hill Primary School (under 0.1 miles, Good, 82% reading, 87% maths); Winklebury Infant School (0.5 miles, Good); Winklebury Junior School (0.5 miles, Good, 74% reading, 80% maths); and Chiltern Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 48% reading, 44% maths).

11.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 25 pupils (14.4%) received SEN support and 11 (6.3%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.

The nearest railway station is Basingstoke Rail Station, about 1.6 miles away in a straight line.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Pembroke Road (opposite), 210 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 184 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Hampshire (72), as is usual near a town centre.

Castle Hill Infant School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to Castle Hill Infant School are Bishop Challoner Catholic Secondary School (0.8 miles), The Blue Coat School Basingstoke (1.1 miles) and Everest Community Academy (1.7 miles).