St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery
74%
Capacity
136
Pupils
2.5x
Demand
About St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery
St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery is a state-funded Church of England primary school serving the Dorset community, welcoming children from age 2 to 9. The school has 136 pupils on roll, operating at 74% capacity. Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery "Good", the school is led by headteacher Laura Crossley, it falls under Dorset local authority.
St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery is a popular choice with families — it received 52 applications for 21 places, making it 2.5x oversubscribed. Of these, 16 were first-preference applications.
St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is overwhelmingly positive, with 95% recommending the school (42 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 6 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Social, Emotional & Mental Health, Speech, Language & Communication and 3 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery include Library, Gymnasium, Playing Fields, Forest School, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Rounders, Gymnastics, Football, Cricket and 1 more, as well as clubs including Book Club, Drama, Eco Club.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 20.3%, which is below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Dorset, St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery 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 | Station Road, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 0JF |
| Headteacher | Laura Crossley |
| Local Authority | Dorset |
| Number of Pupils | 136 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 20.3% |
| School Capacity | 136 / 184 (74% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
23 Apr 2025Quality of Education
Good
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 19 May 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Ofsted Parent View
42 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
5Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
8Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed21
52
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
16 families put this school as their 1st choice (31% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery
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
Station Road, Ferndown
Dorset, BH22 0JF
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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