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Motcombe CofE Primary School

Dorset, SP7 9NTPrimaryAges 4–11MixedState
Ofsted Rating
Good
Jun 2023
KS2 Results
32%
meeting expected standard in RWM
Competition
0.9×
Not oversubscribed
11 1st-choice / 12 places
Ranking
#13,168
of 13,686 nationally

About Motcombe CofE Primary School

Motcombe CofE Primary School is a Church of England state primary in Dorset that is currently significantly undersubscribed relative to its physical capacity, yet highly sought after by local families. The school has capacity for 210 pupils but currently enrols just 162, leaving nearly a quarter of places unfilled. However, demand from parents tells a different story: for the 2025/26 intake, the school received 46 applications for just 12 available places, an oversubscription ratio of 3.83 to one. Of those, 11 were first-preference applications, and 11 first-preference offers were made, meaning almost every family who put it first secured a place. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 11.7%, which is slightly above the national primary average of around 23% but notably lower than many urban schools, reflecting the largely rural, relatively affluent catchment area around Shaftesbury. The school is mixed-gender and serves children from age 4 to 11, with no nursery or sixth form provision.

Key Details

School TypePrimary (State)
Age Range4 to 11 years
GenderMixed
Religious CharacterChurch of England
AddressChurch Road, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 9NT
HeadteacherMatthew Barge
Local AuthorityDorset
Number of Pupils162
Free School Meals (FSM)11.7%
School Capacity162 / 210 (77% full)

The full report on this school

The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.

  • Ofsted inspection in plain English
    Strengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
  • Parent View survey results
    What parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
  • Where Ofsted and parents disagree
    Gaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
  • Admissions & catchment
    Admission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
  • Nearby schools compared
    Backup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
  • Attendance & behaviour data
    Persistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
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Ofsted Inspection Breakdown

27 Jun 2023
View Report
Overall Effectiveness
Good
Quality of Education
Good
Behaviour & Attitudes
Good
Personal Development
Good
Leadership & Management
Good
Early Years Provision
Good

Source: Ofsted, 14 Sept 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.

Facilities

5
Dining HallArt StudiosMusic RoomsOutdoor PlaygroundChapel

Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.

Extracurriculars

11

Sports

CricketNetballRoundersAthleticsGymnasticsTennisCross Country

Clubs & Activities

GardeningArt ClubBook ClubChess

Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.

SEND Support

DyslexiaMental HealthSpeech & LanguageHearingLearning Difficulty

Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.

School day

Verified

Teaching hours

08:45 – 15:15

Breakfast club

07:45-08:45

After-school care

15:15-17:20

Source: motcombeprimary.co.uk. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Motcombe CofE Primary School

Motcombe CofE Primary School has been rated "Good" by Ofsted. This means the school provides a good standard of education and effectively supports all pupils to succeed.