Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School
104%
Capacity
109
Pupils
2.1x
Demand
About Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School
Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Dorset community, welcoming children from age 2 to 11. The school has 109 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (104% of 105 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Phillip Sales, it falls under Dorset local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 79% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — well above the national average. Additionally, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Additionally, ranked 1691st out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 6th out of 68 in Dorset.
Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 19 applications for 9 places, making it 2.1x oversubscribed. Of these, 9 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 Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School include Library, Playing Fields, Music Rooms, Dining Hall, Sensory Room, Gymnasium, Outdoor Playground, Forest School, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Football, Cricket, Tennis, Athletics and 3 more, as well as clubs including Science Club, Coding, Gardening.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 12.8%, which is well below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Dorset, Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School 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 | 2 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Buckland Newton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7BY |
| Headteacher | Phillip Sales |
| Local Authority | Dorset |
| Number of Pupils | 109 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 12.8% |
| School Capacity | 109 / 105 (104% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
9 Nov 2021Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (9 Nov 2021): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 12 Jul 2012. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (79%)
1691st of 13,686
Nationally
152nd of 1,469
In South West
6th of 68
In Dorset
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
79%
Expected Standard
14%
Higher Standard
'22/23
57%
'23/24
79%
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
2025/26Oversubscribed9
19
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
9 families put this school as their 1st choice (47% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School
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
Buckland Newton, Dorchester
Dorset, DT2 7BY
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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