Beaminster St Mary's Academy
60%
Capacity
125
Pupils
1.4x
Demand
About Beaminster St Mary's Academy
Beaminster St Mary's Academy is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Dorset community, welcoming children from age 4 to 11. The school has 125 pupils on roll, operating at 60% capacity.
Ofsted has rated Beaminster St Mary's Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher Darren Marklew, it falls under Dorset local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 41% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — below the national average. Additionally, ranked 12397th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 55th out of 68 in Dorset.
Beaminster St Mary's Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 30 applications for 22 places, making it 1.4x oversubscribed. Of these, 22 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 4 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 1 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Beaminster St Mary's Academy include Outdoor Playground, ICT Suite, Dining Hall, Sports Hall, Art Studios, Forest School, Gymnasium, Music Rooms, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Athletics, Cricket, Netball, Rounders and 1 more, as well as clubs including Eco Club, Chess, Choir, Film Club and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 35.2%, which is well above the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Dorset, Beaminster St Mary's Academy is one of the options available in the South West region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 4 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Clay Lane, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3BY |
| Headteacher | Darren Marklew |
| Local Authority | Dorset |
| Number of Pupils | 125 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 35.2% |
| School Capacity | 125 / 210 (60% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
23 May 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 17 Jul 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (41%)
12397th of 13,686
Nationally
1287th of 1,469
In South West
55th of 68
In Dorset
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
41%
Expected Standard
6%
Higher Standard
'22/23
47%
'23/24
41%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed22
30
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
22 families put this school as their 1st choice (73% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Beaminster St Mary's Academy
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Clay Lane, Beaminster
Dorset, DT8 3BY
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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