Copythorne CofE Infant School, Southampton
Copythorne CofE Infant School is a primary school for pupils aged 4 to 7 in Southampton. It has a Church of England religious character. Its most recent Ofsted inspection, in April 2026, ended in a report card: 7 expected standard. Before that it was rated Good at its last graded inspection, in November 2011. It was 80% full in 2025.
- Ofsted report card
- 0 of 7 areas strong or better
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- Better than England average
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 80 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Hampshire (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 27 Oct 2026
Copythorne CofE Infant School in detail
What Ofsted's report card says
Ofsted's report card from its 21 April 2026 inspection grades Copythorne CofE Infant School on 7 areas: 7 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.
Achievement - Expected standard. "On the whole, pupils learn well across the curriculum."
Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Pupils attend school regularly."
Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders understand the quality of the curriculum and teaching well."
Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders ensure that children in the early years experience a well-designed curriculum that identifies exactly what children need to learn to be ready for Key Stage 1."
Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders have a well-considered approach to inclusion."
Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders know the school well."
Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders are determined that all pupils, including those from disadvantaged groups, will benefit from an effective personal development programme."
Safeguarding standards were met.
Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that all pupils secure basic knowledge of handwriting and spelling consistently well"; "Leaders should sharpen the use of effective teaching strategies and adult interactions in all year groups to maximise opportunities to develop and deepen pupils' understanding further"; "Leaders should ensure that the school's personal development programme is carefully tailored to address gaps in pupils' knowledge and understanding and prepares them well for life in modern Britain".
Read the full report card on Ofsted's site (school website)
Source: Ofsted report card (Open Government Licence), quoted
Getting a place at Copythorne CofE Infant School
For September 2026 entry, 23 families put Copythorne CofE Infant School as their first choice and 41 named it as one of their preferences, for 24 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Copythorne CofE Infant School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Copythorne CofE Infant School are Bartley Church of England Junior School (0.9 miles, Good, 72% reading, 75% maths); Netley Marsh Church of England Infant School (1.9 miles, Good); Calmore Infant School (2.2 miles, Good); and Calmore Junior School (2.2 miles, Good, 67% reading, 67% maths).
Bartley Church of England Junior SchoolNetley Marsh Church of England Infant SchoolCalmore Infant SchoolCalmore Junior School
Who goes there
7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), and 0% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.
In 2026, 8 pupils (11.3%) received SEN support and 2 (2.8%) 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.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Ashurst New Forest Rail Station, about 3.3 miles away in a straight line.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 6 crimes within a mile of the school, most often burglary, other theft and drug offences. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Hampshire (72).
Suspensions and exclusions
Copythorne CofE Infant School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.
Sources: DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 6 months agoReport card - no single overall grade (Ofsted's framework since November 2025)
Safeguarding standards met
- AchievementExpected standard
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
- Early yearsExpected standard
- InclusionExpected standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
Safeguarding standards: met
Ofsted's report card, in its own words
What it's like to be a pupil at Copythorne CofE Infant School
Pupils relish belonging to this close-knit community. They arrive at school happily every day, ready to work hard and to achieve well. Pupils are confident and articulate. They talk with pride about how much they enjoy coming to school, love learning and feel safe. Leaders are passionate about ensuring that all pupils thrive at the school and succeed both socially and academically. Pupils respond well to leaders' high aspirations and achieve well. They speak confidently about the wide range of knowledge that they have learned. The school's nurturing culture helps pupils to feel safe. Pupils benefit from secure, warm relationships with adults and with their peers. They trust the adults in school to help them with any worries or concerns. At breaktimes, pupils socialise well. They enjoy the variety of outdoor activities available that make playtime an exciting and engaging time of the day. For example, pupils benefit from resources that promote imaginative play as well as opportunities to be physically active. Learning how to keep safe is an important part of life at this school. Through the school curriculum and by working with external agencies, pupils learn crucial knowledge about fire safety, consent and how to keep safe when online. Pupils behave well. They show respect towards all members of the school community. Pupils demonstrate positive attitudes to learning and sustain concentration. Pupils feel safe from bullying and unkind behaviour. These occur very rarely, but when they do, leaders ensure that they are dealt with effectively. A wide range of additional opportunities enhance pupils' experience. Pupils, including those from disadvantaged groups, access a wide range of extra-curricular activities that broaden their interests and develop their talents. These include sports clubs, drama and dance and French club. Leaders make a concerted effort to ensure that all pupils benefit well from these opportunities.
What Ofsted says the school should do next
- Leaders should ensure that all pupils secure basic knowledge of handwriting and spelling consistently well.
- Leaders should sharpen the use of effective teaching strategies and adult interactions in all year groups to maximise opportunities to develop and deepen pupils' understanding further.
- Leaders should ensure that the school's personal development programme is carefully tailored to address gaps in pupils' knowledge and understanding and prepares them well for life in modern Britain.
From Ofsted's report card (inspection 21 April 2026). Read the full report Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's April 2026 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
The school is a warm, welcoming community where children thrive and feel they belong. Teaching reading is exceptional, with pupils who struggle to read receiving rapid, targeted support that helps them catch up quickly. The school cares deeply about every child's wellbeing and success, with particularly strong support for children with additional needs and those facing disadvantages.
Key Strengths
- Teaching reading and phonics is exceptionally strong with pupils making rapid progress
- Pupils have excellent behaviour and attendance with very low persistent absence
- Comprehensive support for pupils with additional needs and disadvantaged groups
- Well-designed, sequenced curriculum that clearly identifies important knowledge
- Strong safeguarding culture where all staff understand their responsibilities
Areas for Improvement
- Some pupils' handwriting and spelling need to improve - not all form letters correctly or spell accurately
- Some teaching activities could be more precisely targeted to help pupils practise and reinforce new learning
- Pupils' knowledge of diversity in modern British society could be strengthened
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - the school has created an open and positive safeguarding culture where all legal requirements are fulfilled and pupils feel safe.
Extracurricular Activities
Charitable projects, environmental gardening projects with local volunteers, physical fitness activities
Copythorne CofE Infant School provides a well-sequenced curriculum where pupils learn effectively across subjects, with particular strength in phonics and early mathematics. The school has a strong safeguarding culture, excellent attendance and behaviour, and effectively supports vulnerable pupils including those with special educational needs.
At a Glance
7.0%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Class Sizes
23.7
Avg class size
23.7
Infant (KS1)
3
Total classes
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Copythorne CofE Infant School
Getting There
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Copythorne CofE Infant School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Copythorne CofE Infant School is in Hampshire; for families living there:
Apply to Hampshire for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 4
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 1
- Children hurt
- 1
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 4 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 3 slight.
1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt.
1 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Hampshire is 9 (the median across 617 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Copythorne CofE Infant School
Will you get a place at Copythorne CofE Infant School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Copythorne CofE Infant School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Copythorne CofE Infant School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Copythorne CofE Infant School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Hampshire, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Copythorne CofE Infant School for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Hampshire got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
80%
Available places
72 pupils
90 places
18 spare places in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Southampton
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Southampton
Across Hampshire council
Places available
15,642
Applications
12,982
Got 1st preference
93.4%
Got preferred school
98.9%
All primary applications across Hampshire council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(7)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
8
SEN Support
2
EHC Plans
14.1%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
71
Total Pupils
47
Boys
24
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
4
Teachers
17.8:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£41,009
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£6,517
Per pupil
£534k
Total funding
£12k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
3.7%
Overall absence
2.0%
Persistent absence
50
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Questions parents ask about Copythorne CofE Infant School
What is Copythorne CofE Infant School's Ofsted rating?
Copythorne CofE Infant School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in April 2026, produced a report card, which grades each area but gives no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in November 2011, it was rated Good.
What is the catchment area for Copythorne CofE Infant School?
No fixed boundary. When Copythorne CofE Infant School is oversubscribed, Hampshire allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Copythorne CofE Infant School?
Copythorne CofE Infant School was not full in 2025: it ran at 80% of its 90 places.
How big are the classes at Copythorne CofE Infant School?
Classes at Copythorne CofE Infant School average 23.7 pupils (2025/26).
How many pupils go to Copythorne CofE Infant School?
Copythorne CofE Infant School has around 71 pupils on roll. 7% are eligible for free school meals.
What is attendance like at Copythorne CofE Infant School?
3.7% of sessions were missed at Copythorne CofE Infant School in 2024/25. 2% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Copythorne CofE Infant School?
Apply through Hampshire's coordinated admissions process, naming Copythorne CofE Infant School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
How many road collisions happen near Copythorne CofE Infant School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 4 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 3 slight. 1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt. 1 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Hampshire is 9 (the median across 617 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Copythorne CofE Infant School?
Copythorne CofE Infant School is at Romsey Road, Copythorne, Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 2PB.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)