Moorings Way Infant School

  • Primary
  • Academy
  • Ages 4 to 7
Report card: Expected standard to strong standard

Moorings Way, Milton, Southsea, PO4 8YJOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Moorings Way Infant School is a primary school in Southsea for ages 4 to 7. It is one of the 65 schools in Portsmouth. Its latest Ofsted outcome is a report card, from an inspection in January 2026.

Ofsted report card

Inspected 13 January 2026, report published 16 March 2026

Each area is graded from urgent improvement to exceptional, and safeguarding is either met or not met.

Inclusion
Strong standard
Curriculum and teaching
Expected standard
Achievement
Expected standard
Attendance and behaviour
Expected standard
Personal development and wellbeing
Strong standard
Leadership and governance
Expected standard
Early years
Expected standard
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 13 January 2026

Pupils enjoy attending school. They feel safe and happy and arrive every day excited for their learning and to see the caring staff. Pupils and their families are welcomed with warmth and kindness. Positive relationships are established from the start when children join in the early years. The well-known mantra, 'be your best self', permeates the school's culture. Pupils live up to the school's expectations for their behaviour. Most pupils are attentive learners who take pride in their work. Over break and lunchtimes, pupils enjoy playing games together with their friends. They are not worried about bullying as they know it is rare and that staff will always help them with any worries. Pupils achieve well across the curriculum. They accumulate the foundational knowledge they need in reading, writing and mathematics. The school's focus on teaching pupils to read means that they are successful in the phonics screening check. All pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, are prepared for their transition into junior school. They develop confidence and resilience with their learning. The school's 'Coastguard' club provides many families with wraparound care for their children. Pupils enjoy having breakfast together and engaging in fun activities at the start of the day. This sets them up well for moving into their classrooms and their learning. The school prioritises pupils' wellbeing and includes their families in its nurturing ethos. The recently opened 'parent hub' gives family members time to talk to school staff, share information and receive support when needed. One parent and carer summed up the views of many when they said, 'The staff go above and beyond for the children, and the school has a real community feel.'

What the school should improve

  • Leaders should continue with their actions to further strengthen pupils' writing through staff training and consistently high expectations across the curriculum.

Pupil numbers and mix

116 pupils on roll, with places for 135

Eligible for free school meals17.2%

17.2%, 9.3 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language7.8%

7.8%, 13.8 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support11.2%

11.2%, 3.6 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan7.8%

7.8%, 1.8 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near Moorings Way Infant School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Meon Infant School0.5 milesOfsted judgements: GoodNot published
Meon Junior School0.5 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standard65% met the expected standard
Langstone Primary Academy0.5 milesOfsted: Good58% met the expected standard
Milton Park Primary School0.7 milesOfsted: Good53% met the expected standard
Westover Primary School0.7 milesOfsted: Good66% met the expected standard

School details

School type
Academy converter
Sector
Academy
Trust
THE THINKING SCHOOLS ACADEMY TRUST
Age range
4 to 7
Gender
Mixed
Nursery classes
No
Headteacher
Mrs Sara Paine
Address
Moorings Way, Milton, Southsea, PO4 8YJ
Local authority
Portsmouth
URN
144582

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.