William Barnes Primary School
79%
Capacity
166
Pupils
1.4x
Demand
About William Barnes Primary School
William Barnes Primary School is a state-funded Does not apply primary school serving the Dorset community, welcoming children from age 4 to 11. The school has 166 pupils on roll, operating at 79% capacity.
Ofsted has rated William Barnes Primary School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Fiona Locke, it falls under Dorset local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 45% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — below the national average. Additionally, ranked 11734th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 49th out of 68 in Dorset.
William Barnes Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 37 applications for 26 places, making it 1.4x oversubscribed. Of these, 25 were first-preference applications.
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 William Barnes Primary School include Gymnasium, Forest School, Music Rooms, Library, Playing Fields, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Tennis, Athletics, Swimming, Cross Country, as well as clubs including Coding, Chess, Film Club, Choir and 2 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 24.1%, which is close to the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Dorset, William Barnes Primary 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 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Bridge Street, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1BZ |
| Headteacher | Fiona Locke |
| Local Authority | Dorset |
| Number of Pupils | 166 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 24.1% |
| School Capacity | 166 / 210 (79% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
22 Feb 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (22 Feb 2023): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 25 Jul 2013. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (45%)
11734th of 13,686
Nationally
1170th of 1,469
In South West
49th of 68
In Dorset
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
45%
Expected Standard
0%
Higher Standard
'22/23
58%
'23/24
45%
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
6Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
10Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed26
37
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
25 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 William Barnes Primary 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
Bridge Street, Sturminster Newton
Dorset, DT10 1BZ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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