Sherborne Abbey Church of England Primary School
81%
Capacity
339
Pupils
1.6x
Demand
About Sherborne Abbey Church of England Primary School
Sherborne Abbey 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 339 pupils on roll and is well-filled (81% of 420 places).
Ofsted has rated Sherborne Abbey Church of England Primary School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Lisa Thompson, it falls under Dorset local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 45% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — below the national average. Additionally, ranked 11801st out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 50th out of 68 in Dorset.
Sherborne Abbey Church of England Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 72 applications for 45 places, making it 1.6x oversubscribed. Of these, 44 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 7 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Severe Learning Difficulty and 4 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Sherborne Abbey Church of England Primary School include Dining Hall, Library, Sensory Room, Forest School, Art Studios, Outdoor Playground, Playing Fields, Sports Hall, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Athletics, Rounders, Cross Country, Cricket and 2 more, as well as clubs including Drama, Gardening, Choir, Chess.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 22.5%, which is close to the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Dorset, Sherborne Abbey 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 | Lenthay Road, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 6AQ |
| Headteacher | Lisa Thompson |
| Local Authority | Dorset |
| Number of Pupils | 339 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 22.5% |
| School Capacity | 339 / 420 (81% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
11 Nov 2021Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (11 Nov 2021): School remains Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 26 Mar 2015. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (45%)
11801st of 13,686
Nationally
1180th of 1,469
In South West
50th of 68
In Dorset
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
45%
Expected Standard
10%
Higher Standard
'22/23
53%
'23/24
45%
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
2025/26Oversubscribed45
72
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
44 families put this school as their 1st choice (61% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sherborne Abbey 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
Lenthay Road, Sherborne
Dorset, DT9 6AQ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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