St James' Church of England First School and Nursery, Alderholt
69%
Capacity
125
Pupils
1.3x
Demand
About St James' Church of England First School and Nursery, Alderholt
St James' Church of England First School and Nursery, Alderholt is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Dorset community, welcoming children from age 2 to 9. The school has 125 pupils on roll, operating at 69% capacity. Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated St James' Church of England First School and Nursery, Alderholt "Good", the school is led by headteacher Jo Hudson, it falls under Dorset local authority.
St James' Church of England First School and Nursery, Alderholt is a popular choice with families — it received 29 applications for 22 places, making it 1.3x oversubscribed. Of these, 22 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 6 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 3 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St James' Church of England First School and Nursery, Alderholt include Playing Fields, Dining Hall, Library, Music Rooms, Sensory Room, Outdoor Playground, Sports Hall, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Gymnastics, Netball, Rounders, Dance, as well as clubs including Chess, Coding, Choir, Drama and 2 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 10.4%, which is well below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Dorset, St James' Church of England First School and Nursery, Alderholt 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 | 2 to 9 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Park Lane, Fordingbridge, Dorset, SP6 3AJ |
| Headteacher | Jo Hudson |
| Local Authority | Dorset |
| Number of Pupils | 125 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 10.4% |
| School Capacity | 125 / 180 (69% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
14 Mar 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (14 Mar 2023): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 6 Nov 2013. 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
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed22
29
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
22 families put this school as their 1st choice (76% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St James' Church of England First School and Nursery, Alderholt
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
Park Lane, Fordingbridge
Dorset, SP6 3AJ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
Parent Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience at St James' Church of England First School and Nursery, Alderholt!
Write a Review