Dunbury Church of England Academy

About Dunbury Church of England Academy

Dunbury Church of England Academy’s combined Key Stage 2 results sit just above the Dorset local authority average, but the picture is more nuanced than that headline suggests. The school’s 58% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths is two percentage points higher than the LA average of 56%, placing it 30th out of 119 primary schools in the county. That puts Dunbury in the top half of Dorset primaries, though it falls into the bottom 50% nationally on this metric. The real story is in the subject splits. Reading is a clear strength, with 92% of pupils hitting the expected standard and 17% reaching the higher standard — well above national norms. Maths is weaker, with 67% at expected and only 8% at the higher level, which pulls the combined figure down. The school’s reading average score of 106 and maths average of 102 reflect this imbalance.

In its most recent graded inspection in 2017, Ofsted rated the school Good overall, and an ungraded inspection in January 2023 confirmed it remains Good. The breakdown shows Good ratings for leadership and management, early years provision, and overall effectiveness. The proportion of pupils achieving the higher standard in reading, writing and maths combined is just 8%, and the school’s ranking score of 58 on the KS2 expected standard metric reflects this. Compared with the top three primaries in Dorset — Spetisbury CofE, St Ives, and Sticklands — which all score above 80, Dunbury is clearly not an academic powerhouse, but it delivers reliably above the local norm. The school’s reading progress data is not available, but the high expected standard attainment suggests effective teaching in that area.

Dunbury is a small Church of England primary with 113 pupils against a capacity of 210, so there is room for growth. It was oversubscribed for 2025/26 entry, with 24 applications for 17 places and all 17 first-preference applicants offered a spot — a ratio of 1.41 applicants per place. The school offers nursery provision for children aged two and up, and its facilities include a forest school, sensory room, chapel, music rooms, and an ICT suite. SEND support covers specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, speech and language needs, and social, emotional and mental health. Clubs include choir, book club, eco club and gardening. For families who value a strong reading foundation, a church school ethos, and a broad set of facilities in a small village setting, Dunbury is a solid, well-regarded local option — just don’t expect top-tier academic results.

Key Details

Frequently Asked Questions About Dunbury Church of England Academy

Helpful Guides for Parents