Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School
108%
Capacity
81
Pupils
1.6x
Demand
About Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School
Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Dorset community, welcoming children from age 3 to 9. The school has 81 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (108% of 75 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Catherine Cresswell, it falls under Dorset local authority.
Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School is a popular choice with families — it received 16 applications for 10 places, making it 1.6x oversubscribed. Of these, 10 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 3 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Speech, Language & Communication, Other Difficulty/Disability. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School include ICT Suite, Sports Hall, Dining Hall, Library, Outdoor Playground, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Cricket, Rounders, Cross Country, Tennis and 3 more, as well as clubs including Coding, Chess, Choir, Drama.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 7.4%, which is well below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Dorset, Cerne Abbas CofE VC First 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 | 3 to 9 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Duck Street, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7LA |
| Headteacher | Catherine Cresswell |
| Local Authority | Dorset |
| Number of Pupils | 81 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 7.4% |
| School Capacity | 81 / 75 (108% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
12 Jul 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 25 Sept 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
6Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
11Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed10
16
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
10 families put this school as their 1st choice (63% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School
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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
Duck Street, Dorchester
Dorset, DT2 7LA
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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