Merton Junior School, Basingstoke

From the headteacher's welcome: "As the Headteacher of Merton Junior School, I am proud to lead an amazing team of staff who want the absolute best for the pupils in our school. Our community is inclusive, nurturing, and committed to developing outstanding future citizens. Here, we inspire our children to be motivated, enthusiastic, respectful, tenacious, optimistic, and nurturing lifelong learners."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football and dance.

The school runs a breakfast club, from £1 per day.

In 2025, 57% of Year 6 pupils at Merton Junior School reached the expected standard in reading and 56% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 75% in Hampshire and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (58% in reading, 55% in maths).

Across Hampshire, 93% of families were offered their first-choice primary school for 2026 entry, and 99% were offered one of the schools they named.

In 2026, families in Hampshire lodged 254 appeals against primary school offers; 146 reached a hearing and 8 succeeded (5.5% of those heard).

The nearest other state primary schools to Merton Junior School are Merton Infant School and Nursery (under 0.1 miles, Good); St Bede's Catholic Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 96% reading, 94% maths); Oakridge Infant School (0.4 miles, Good); and Oakridge Junior School (0.5 miles, Good, 86% reading, 94% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Merton Junior School.

34.3% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 36.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (58%), Asian (13%) and Black (13%).

In 2026, 72 pupils (29.4%) received SEN support and 19 (7.8%) 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.

The nearest railway station is Basingstoke Rail Station, about 1 mile away in a straight line.

15 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Buckfast Close (adjacent), 210 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 279 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Hampshire (72), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, Merton Junior School issued 9 suspensions, 3.4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Merton Junior School are Everest Community Academy (0.3 miles), The Vyne Community School (0.6 miles) and The Costello School (1.5 miles).