How do I apply for a place at St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford Abbas?

Applications for Reception places at St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford Abbas starting in September 2027 close on 15 January 2027. You apply through the council where you live, and offers are made on National Offer Day, 16 April 2027 (or the next working day).

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St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford Abbas

Q: Is St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford Abbas a good school?

Ofsted inspected the school on 6 May 2026 under its report-card framework and graded five areas at Expected standard and two at Needs attention. Safeguarding was judged Met. On the FindGreatSchools composite score it is graded D, 57th of 116 primary schools in Dorset. The profile sets out the figures behind both.

Q: What are St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford Abbas's SATs results?

In the 2025 Key Stage 2 tests (SATs), 44% of pupils at St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford Abbas met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (England: 62%).

Mill Lane, Sherborne, DT9 6RH

Local ranking57th of 116 primary schools in Dorset

Ofsted: Expected

Primary

Phase

119

Capacity

4-11

Age range

Mixed

Gender

Latest data: 2025 SATs · Ofsted inspection 6 May 2026. Figures last updated 30 July 2026.

Ofsted Report Card

Inspected 6 May 2026 under Ofsted's renewed framework

View on Ofsted

Safeguarding standards Met

Achievement: Needs attention
Curriculum & teaching: Needs attention
Attendance & behaviour: Expected standard
Personal development & wellbeing: Expected standard
Leadership & governance: Expected standard
Inclusion: Expected standard
Early years: Expected standard

Scale: Exceptional · Strong · Expected · Needs attention · Urgent improvement

Year:

KS2 Results (Year 6 SATs)

2024-25

Reading, Writing & Maths (Expected): 44.0% nat62.0%
Reading, Writing & Maths (Higher): 0.0% nat8.0%
Reading (Expected): 63.0%
Writing (Expected): 56.0%
Maths (Expected): 69.0%
Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling (Expected): 50.0%
Reading avg scaled score: 100.0 nat106.0
Maths avg scaled score: 98.0 nat105.0
GPS avg scaled score: 98.0
Cohort Size: 16

Pupil Demographics

2024-25

Total Pupils: 89
Boys: 46 (51%)
Girls: 44 (49%)
Capacity: 119 (76% full)
SEND: 30.3%
FSM Eligible: 6.7%
EAL: 1.1%
SEN with EHC Plan: 2.3%
SEN Support: 28.1%
Pupil:Teacher Ratio: 17.9:1
Teachers (FTE): 4.9

Attendance & Absence

2024-25

Overall Absence Rate: 4.1% nat6.2%
Persistent Absence: 6.2% nat15.8%

Persistent absence: pupils missing 10%+ of sessions.

School Information

Type: Academy converter
Phase: Primary
Religious Character: Church of England
Nursery: No Nursery Classes
Sixth Form: Does not have a sixth form
Boarders: No boarders
Admissions: Not applicable

Pupil Ethnicity

2024-25

White British: 98.9%
White Other: 1.1%

98.9%

White British

1.1%

White Other

Historical Trends

KS2 Performance

Pupil Demographics

Attendance & Absence

Ethnicity Over Time

Contact & Location

01935476515

office@bradfordabbas.dorset.sch.uk

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Mill Lane

Sherborne, South West

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Administrative

URN: 144299
UKPRN: 10063962
Establishment No.: 3049
Trust: SHERBORNE AREA SCHOOLS' TRUST

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