St Mary's Church of England First School, Charminster
94%
Capacity
149
Pupils
1.3x
Demand
About St Mary's Church of England First School, Charminster
St Mary's Church of England First School, Charminster is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Dorset community, welcoming children from age 4 to 9. The school has 149 pupils on roll and is well-filled (94% of 158 places).
Ofsted has rated St Mary's Church of England First School, Charminster "Good", the school is led by headteacher Mick Homer, it falls under Dorset local authority.
St Mary's Church of England First School, Charminster is a popular choice with families — it received 39 applications for 29 places, making it 1.3x oversubscribed. Of these, 28 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 6 areas, including Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication, Hearing Impairment and 3 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Mary's Church of England First School, Charminster include Library, Outdoor Playground, Playing Fields, Dining Hall, Sports Hall, Art Studios, ICT Suite, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Cricket, Gymnastics, Netball, Dance and 1 more, as well as clubs including Book Club, Choir, Gardening, Film Club and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 6.7%, which is well below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Dorset, St Mary's Church of England First School, Charminster 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 9 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | West Hill, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 9RD |
| Headteacher | Mick Homer |
| Local Authority | Dorset |
| Number of Pupils | 149 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 6.7% |
| School Capacity | 149 / 158 (94% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
25 Jun 2019Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 15 Jul 2019. 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
2025/26Oversubscribed29
39
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
28 families put this school as their 1st choice (72% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Mary's Church of England First School, Charminster
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
West Hill, Dorchester
Dorset, DT2 9RD
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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