St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford Abbas
75%
Capacity
89
Pupils
1.5x
Demand
About St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford Abbas
St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford Abbas is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Dorset community, welcoming children from age 4 to 11. The school has 89 pupils on roll, operating at 75% capacity.
Ofsted has rated St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford Abbas "Good", the school is led by headteacher Ian Bartle, it falls under Dorset local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 58% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — close to the national average. Additionally, ranked 8401st out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 31st out of 68 in Dorset.
St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford Abbas is a popular choice with families — it received 21 applications for 14 places, making it 1.5x oversubscribed. Of these, 13 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 5 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 2 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford Abbas include Music Rooms, Art Studios, ICT Suite, Dining Hall, Sensory Room, Outdoor Playground, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Swimming, Netball, Cricket, Gymnastics and 2 more, as well as clubs including Drama, Book Club, Gardening, Choir and 1 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 6.9%, 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 Primary School, Bradford Abbas 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 | Mill Lane, Sherborne, Dorset, DT9 6RH |
| Headteacher | Ian Bartle |
| Local Authority | Dorset |
| Number of Pupils | 89 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 6.9% |
| School Capacity | 89 / 119 (75% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
2 Feb 2022Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 20 Mar 2022. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (58%)
8401st of 13,686
Nationally
807th of 1,469
In South West
31st of 68
In Dorset
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
58%
Expected Standard
8%
Higher Standard
'22/23
50%
'23/24
58%
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
11Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed14
21
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
13 families put this school as their 1st choice (62% 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 Primary School, Bradford Abbas
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
Mill Lane, Sherborne
Dorset, DT9 6RH
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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