Merrow CofE Controlled Infant School

Merrow C of E Controlled Infant School has made a strong transition from its last outstanding inspection 12 years ago, now achieving a 'Good' rating in its overall effectiveness. The school creates a nurturing and inclusive environment where pupils feel safe and supported in their learning. With a robust curriculum that addresses the needs of all students, including those with special educational needs and those who speak English as an additional language, current pupils are performing well despite some previous concerns in mathematics and phonics outcomes. Parent support is overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the school's effective pastoral care and commitment to fostering a joy for learning.

Strengths

• Strong nurturing and inclusive environment for pupils.
• High expectations of pupils' behavior and clear routines.
• Broad and balanced curriculum tailored to diverse student needs.
• Positive relationships among students and staff promote safety and confidence.
• Well-trained and knowledgeable staff who adapt resources for effective learning.

Areas for Improvement

• Curriculum lacks precision in a few subjects, affecting pupil achievement.
• Limited opportunities for pupils to develop character and citizenship.

Admissions: local authority offers data from the Department for Education. A school is oversubscribed when at least 5% of the families who put it first were not offered a place, and undersubscribed when everyone who put it first got in but 10% or more of its places were unfilled in the Department's school capacity survey (the latest survey is used for entry years it does not cover). Places: Department for Education, School capacity, from local authorities' annual survey as at 1 May. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024–25); the survey was not run in 2020. Places include sixth form places. Forecasts are the local authority's own for the school's planning area, an area it uses to plan places that is not the school's catchment area. The forecast starts from a head count in 2025; the dashed line is the Department's estimate of places in that area, including those the authority has firm plans for. Planned places are cumulative, and only those with firm plans are counted.

In 2024–25 pupils at Merrow CofE Controlled Infant School attended 95.3% of sessions (the national figure for primary schools was 94.8%). 11.2% of pupils were persistently absent, missing at least one session in ten (nationally 13.0%).

Sessions missed

Pupils persistently absent

Source: Department for Education, Pupil absence in schools in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Persistent absence means missing 10% or more of sessions; severe absence means 50% or more. No figures were published for 2019/20.

In 2024–25, 0.9% of pupils at Merrow CofE Controlled Infant School were suspended at least once (nationally 1.1%). No pupils were permanently excluded.

Pupils suspended at least once

Source: Department for Education, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). A pupil can be suspended more than once, so suspensions per 100 pupils can be higher than the share of pupils suspended. Very small numbers are hidden by the DfE. Exclusion figures dropped in 2020 and 2021 because of school closures.

In 2025–26 Merrow CofE Controlled Infant School had 13.6 pupils for each teacher (the national figure for primary schools was 20.7). Of its teachers in 2024–25, 25.4% were no longer at the school a year later (nationally 15.7%).

Pupils per teacher

Teachers who left the school within a year

Source: Department for Education, School workforce in England. Each year is the one the school year ends in (2025 is 2024/25). Pupils per teacher counts full-time-equivalent pupils and teachers. Turnover is the share of a year's teachers (full-time equivalent) who were not at the school the following year, whether they moved to another school or left state-funded teaching. Turnover and sickness figures run one year behind the ratios. Sick leave is the share of teachers who took at least one day in the year, so it swings widely at small schools, where a few teachers can make it 0% or 100%. The national figures are for all state schools of the same type.

In 2025–26, 10.0% of pupils at Merrow CofE Controlled Infant School were on SEN support (nationally 15.4%) and 4.4% had an education, health and care (EHC) plan (nationally 4.1%).

Pupils by main type of need

Source: Department for Education, Special educational needs in England (the 2025–26 school census). SEN support is extra help in school without an EHC plan. National figures are for all state-funded primary schools. Counts are as published, with small numbers not hidden.

In 2025–26 Merrow CofE Controlled Infant School received £9,296 and spent £9,073 for each of its 90 pupils. It ended the year with reserves of £67,000 (£743 per pupil).

Income per pupil

Spending per pupil

Source: Department for Education, Financial Benchmarking and Insights Tool. Each year is the one the financial year ends in (2024 is 2023–24).

• Primary Schools
• Secondary Schools

All schools in Guildford · Surrey local authority: places and applications

What is Merrow CofE Controlled Infant School's Ofsted rating?

The latest Ofsted rating for Merrow CofE Controlled Infant School is Good, from an inspection in January 2024.

When was Merrow CofE Controlled Infant School last inspected by Ofsted?

Merrow CofE Controlled Infant School was last inspected in January 2024.

How many pupils does Merrow CofE Controlled Infant School have?

Merrow CofE Controlled Infant School has 90 pupils on roll.

What age range does Merrow CofE Controlled Infant School cover?

Merrow CofE Controlled Infant School for pupils aged 4 to 7.

Where is Merrow CofE Controlled Infant School?

Merrow CofE Controlled Infant School is at Kingfisher Drive, Merrow, Guildford, Surrey, GU4 7EA.