Orchard Lea Infant School, Fareham

Ofsted's report card from its 28 April 2026 inspection grades Orchard Lea 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.

Early years - Strong standard. "In Reception, children get off to a flying start."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Pupils generally achieve well."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders' work to improve attendance is effective."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have an accurate understanding of the curriculum and how well it is implemented across the school."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "The school strives to support each pupil's unique strengths."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders are passionate about and committed to improving outcomes for all pupils."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed a coherent personal development programme that supports pupils' wellbeing."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that all staff embed the changes made to the curriculum and teaching, so that pupils' knowledge builds over time and they progress through the curriculum well from their starting points"; "Leaders should continue their recent work, including on strengthening pupils' transcription skills, reading fluency and the application of phonics, so that pupils' achievement is reflected in above-average outcomes in national tests".

For September 2026 entry, 24 families put Orchard Lea Infant School as their first choice and 57 named it as one of their preferences, for 25 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 Orchard Lea Infant School are Orchard Lea Junior School (under 0.1 miles, Good, 81% reading, 81% maths); St Columba CE Primary School (0.5 miles, Good, 90% reading, 80% maths); Uplands Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 80% reading, 85% maths); and St Jude's Catholic Primary School (0.9 miles, Good, 71% reading, 79% maths).

5.9% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (86%) and Mixed (7%).

In 2026, 12 pupils (10.2%) received SEN support and 3 (2.5%) 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 Fareham Rail Station, about 0.9 miles away in a straight line.

15 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Frosthole Crescent (adjacent), 230 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Orchard Lea Infant School stands in is among the 20% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

Orchard Lea Infant School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.

The secondary schools closest to Orchard Lea Infant School are The Henry Cort Community College (0.7 miles) and Fareham Academy (1.3 miles).