Western Downland Infant School food hygiene rating
School/college/university · New Forest
Western Downland Infant School holds a 5, the highest food hygiene rating there is. At its last inspection the school kitchen met every standard the inspector checked, with nothing needing attention.
The rating: 5 - Very good
The rating dates from 6 January 2026, 6 months ago. Councils typically re-inspect higher-risk businesses every six months to two years, with well-run, low-risk places visited least often, so this is a normal gap.
Address: Mill End, Damerham, Fordingbridge, SP6 3HU
How it compares in New Forest
That puts Western Downland Infant School among the 1,154 places in New Forest holding top marks, 80% of everywhere the council rates. A 5 is the norm here rather than the exception, so it is the rating to expect, not to be impressed by.
| 5 out of 5 | 1,154 | 80% | ← Western Downland Infant School | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 out of 5 | 183 | 13% | ||
| 3 out of 5 | 68 | 5% | ||
| 2 out of 5 | 6 | <1% | ||
| 1 out of 5 | 23 | 2% | ||
| 0 out of 5 | 1 | <1% |
A further 138 businesses in the area are awaiting inspection or exempt, so are not counted above.
What the inspector found
- Hygienic food handling Good
- Cleanliness & condition of the building Good
- How well they manage food safety Good
An inspection scores three things: how food is handled, the physical condition of the premises, and how much the inspector trusts management to keep standards up. At Western Downland Infant School none of the three raised a concern, the overall rating is only ever as strong as its weakest area, so a clean sweep is what produces a high score.
Food hygiene ratings nearby
The closest food businesses to Western Downland Infant School, nearest first, so you can see how it compares to its neighbours.
| Business | Distance | Rating | Inspected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Damerham Trout Fisheries Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 0.3 miles away | 5 - Very good | 23 May 2018 |
| The Compasses Inn Pub/bar/nightclub | 0.4 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 June 2025 |
| Hibberd Brothers Farmers/growers | 1.0 miles away | 5 - Very good | 20 February 2026 |
| Alderholt Mill Restaurant/Cafe/Canteen | 1.2 miles away | 5 - Very good | 27 March 2026 |
| Rockbourne Trout Fishery Retailers - other | 1.2 miles away | 5 - Very good | 15 October 2024 |
| Sandleheath Stores Retailers - other | 1.2 miles away | 4 - Good | 28 August 2025 |
| Western Downland Junior School School/college/university | 1.6 miles away | 5 - Very good | 6 January 2026 |
| The Rose & Thistle Pub/bar/nightclub | 1.8 miles away | 5 - Very good | 10 April 2025 |
Questions about Western Downland Infant School
What is Western Downland Infant School's food hygiene rating?
Western Downland Infant School has a food hygiene rating of 5 out of 5 (very good), given by New Forest Council on 6 January 2026.
Is Western Downland Infant School safe to eat at?
The rating covers hygiene standards found at inspection, not the food itself. At 5 out of 5, the inspector found hygiene standards at this school kitchen to be very good, the top end of the scale.
When was Western Downland Infant School last inspected?
Western Downland Infant School was last inspected on 6 January 2026, 6 months ago. Food hygiene inspections are unannounced, and the rating is published by New Forest Council rather than by the business.
What did the inspector find at Western Downland Infant School?
The inspector scored three areas. Hygienic food handling was rated "good", the cleanliness and condition of the building "good", and confidence in the management of food safety "good". Lower concern in all three is what earns a high overall rating.
How does Western Downland Infant School compare to other places in New Forest?
80% of the 1,435 rated food businesses in New Forest hold the top rating of 5, and Western Downland Infant School is one of them.
Who decides the rating?
New Forest Council inspects Western Downland Infant School and sets the rating; the Food Standards Agency publishes it. Neither the business nor this site can change a rating, a business that disagrees can appeal to its council, and can request a re-inspection once it has fixed the problems.
Tell me when this changes
The Food Standards Agency publishes only a business's rating today, not what it scored before, and not when it moves. We check every UK rating each night. Watch Western Downland Infant School and we will email you the morning after its rating changes.
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Understanding this rating
More food hygiene ratings near here
Western Downland Infant School is one of 90 rated food businesses in Fordingbridge. See every hygiene rating in Fordingbridge →
New Forest inspects and rates 1,573 food businesses across its whole area. See every food hygiene rating in New Forest →
The official record is held by the council: http://www.newforest.gov.uk
Rating from the Food Standards Agency under the Open Government Licence. Ratings reflect standards found at the time of inspection and can change. If you think a rating is wrong, the official record is held by the FSA and the local authority; corrections there flow through here. How ratings work →