Sturminster Marshall First School
46%
Capacity
68
Pupils
3.0x
Demand
About Sturminster Marshall First School
Sturminster Marshall First School is a state-funded Does not apply primary school serving the Dorset community, welcoming children from age 4 to 9. The school has 68 pupils on roll and is with plenty of spare capacity (46% of 148 places).
Ofsted has rated Sturminster Marshall First School "Requires Improvement", the school is led by headteacher Sharon Bentley, it falls under Dorset local authority.
Sturminster Marshall First School is a popular choice with families — it received 15 applications for 5 places, making it 3.0x oversubscribed. Of these, 4 were first-preference applications.
Sturminster Marshall First School has mixed reviews on SchoolParrot (1.8/5 from 6 parents), and parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is very positive, with 92% recommending the school (38 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 4 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), 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 Sturminster Marshall First School include ICT Suite, Dining Hall, Library, Gymnasium, Sensory Room, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Cross Country, Swimming, Gymnastics, Athletics and 2 more, as well as clubs including Gardening, Coding, Chess, Film Club and 2 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 16.2%, which is below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Dorset, Sturminster Marshall First 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 | 4 to 9 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | 78 High Street, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 4AY |
| Headteacher | Sharon Bentley |
| Local Authority | Dorset |
| Number of Pupils | 68 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 16.2% |
| School Capacity | 68 / 148 (46% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
17 Jun 2025Quality of Education
Requires improvement
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 16 Jul 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Ofsted Parent View
38 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
6Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
12Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed5
15
High Demand
Competitive - many more applications than places available
4 families put this school as their 1st choice (27% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sturminster Marshall First 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
78 High Street, Wimborne
Dorset, BH21 4AY
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Reviews on Other Platforms
External reviews are provided by third-party platforms and are not verified by Classpot.
Opening Hours
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