St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Marnhull
50%
Capacity
87
Pupils
1.5x
Demand
About St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Marnhull
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Marnhull is a state-funded Roman Catholic primary school serving the Dorset community, welcoming children from age 2 to 11. The school has 87 pupils on roll, operating at 50% capacity. Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Marnhull "Good", the school is led by headteacher Sharon Betts, it falls under Dorset local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 54% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — below the national average. Additionally, ranked 9697th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 35th out of 68 in Dorset.
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Marnhull is a popular choice with families — it received 22 applications for 15 places, making it 1.5x oversubscribed. Of these, 15 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 4 areas, including Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 1 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Marnhull include Forest School, Dining Hall, Art Studios, Library, Sports Hall, Playing Fields, Gymnasium, Outdoor Playground, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Swimming, Gymnastics, Football, Tennis and 1 more, as well as clubs including Eco Club, Drama, Choir, Coding.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 17.2%, which is below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Dorset, St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Marnhull 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 | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Old Mill Lane, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1JX |
| Headteacher | Sharon Betts |
| Local Authority | Dorset |
| Number of Pupils | 87 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 17.2% |
| School Capacity | 87 / 175 (50% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
17 May 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 29 Jun 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (54%)
9697th of 13,686
Nationally
948th of 1,469
In South West
35th of 68
In Dorset
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
54%
Expected Standard
17%
Higher Standard
'22/23
75%
'23/24
54%
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
9Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed15
22
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
15 families put this school as their 1st choice (68% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Marnhull
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
Old Mill Lane, Sturminster Newton
Dorset, DT10 1JX
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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