Shaftesbury Church of England Primary School
80%
Capacity
338
Pupils
1.3x
Demand
About Shaftesbury Church of England Primary School
Shaftesbury Church of England Primary School is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Dorset community, welcoming children from age 4 to 11. The school has 338 pupils on roll and is well-filled (80% of 420 places).
Ofsted has rated Shaftesbury Church of England Primary School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Matthew Barge, it falls under Dorset local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 40% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — below the national average. Additionally, ranked 12501st out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 57th out of 68 in Dorset.
Shaftesbury Church of England Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 63 applications for 50 places, making it 1.3x oversubscribed. Of these, 47 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 5 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 2 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Shaftesbury Church of England Primary School include Library, Gymnasium, Playing Fields, Sports Hall, ICT Suite, Art Studios, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Football, Cricket, Swimming, Athletics, as well as clubs including Art Club, Drama, Film Club, Science Club and 2 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 28.0%, which is above the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Dorset, Shaftesbury 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 | 4 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Wincombe Lane, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8PZ |
| Headteacher | Matthew Barge |
| Local Authority | Dorset |
| Number of Pupils | 338 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 28.0% |
| School Capacity | 338 / 420 (80% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
15 Feb 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 5 May 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (40%)
12501st of 13,686
Nationally
1300th of 1,469
In South West
57th of 68
In Dorset
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
40%
Expected Standard
0%
Higher Standard
'22/23
39%
'23/24
40%
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
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed50
63
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
47 families put this school as their 1st choice (75% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shaftesbury 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
Wincombe Lane, Shaftesbury
Dorset, SP7 8PZ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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