St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School
99%
Capacity
241
Pupils
1.6x
Demand
About St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School
St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Dorset community, welcoming children from age 2 to 11. The school has 241 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (99% of 244 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated St Mary the Virgin 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, 74% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — above the national average. Additionally, placing it in the top 25% nationally. Additionally, ranked 2904th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 11th out of 68 in Dorset.
St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 48 applications for 30 places, making it 1.6x oversubscribed. Of these, 32 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 7 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 4 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School include Library, Sports Hall, ICT Suite, Dining Hall, Gymnasium, Forest School, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Swimming, Football, Tennis, Rounders and 1 more, as well as clubs including Coding, Gardening, Book Club, Drama and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 17.0%, which is below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Dorset, St Mary the Virgin 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 | 2 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Pheasant Way, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4GG |
| Headteacher | Matthew Barge |
| Local Authority | Dorset |
| Number of Pupils | 241 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 17.0% |
| School Capacity | 241 / 244 (99% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
3 Feb 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (3 Feb 2023): School remains Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 9 Nov 2017. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (74%)
2904th of 13,686
Nationally
250th of 1,469
In South West
11th of 68
In Dorset
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
74%
Expected Standard
10%
Higher Standard
'22/23
57%
'23/24
74%
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
2025/26Oversubscribed30
48
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
32 families put this school as their 1st choice (67% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Mary the Virgin 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
Pheasant Way, Gillingham
Dorset, SP8 4GG
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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