Schools by area › Dorset › Thornford CofE Primary School
Thornford CofE Primary School
Primary · Mixed · Ages 4–11 · Academy
Boot Lane, Thornford, Sherborne DT9 6QY · thornford.dorset.sch.uk · 01935 872706
Overview
- Ofsted
- No overall grade
- 2019 framework · inspected Nov 2024
- Key stage 2, 2024/25
- 53%
- reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. Dorset 57%, England 62%
- Last distance offered
- 3.20 mi
- 5.14 km · Reception, September 2026 entry · Dorset Council
- Demand for places
- 1.1
- first choices for each place · Reception, September 2026
- Pupils
- 104
- 99% of 105 places
- Local authority
- Dorset
- Nursery class
- No
- Free school meals
- 7.7%
- First language not English
- 1.9%
- School census 2025/26
The official school record (Department for Education)
Admissions
For Reception in September 2026, the last place offered on distance went to a home 3.20 mi (5.14 km) from the school. Source: Dorset Council’s document.
For Reception in September 2026, 17 families put the school first and 15 places were offered; 82% of those families were offered a place there. Admission depends on the school’s own rules.
Demand for places
First choices against places
| Reception | Places | First choices | Per place | % offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026Sept 2026 | 15 | 17 | 1.1▲ | 82% |
| September 2025Sept 2025 | 14 | 14 | 1 | 86% |
| September 2024Sept 2024 | 12 | 12 | 1 | 100% |
| September 2023Sept 2023 | 14 | 14 | 1 | 100% |
| September 2022Sept 2022 | 13 | 10 | 0.8 | 100% |
Last distance offered
| Reception | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | 3.20 mi5.14 km | |
Results
In 2024/25, 53% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at the end of key stage 2, and 7% the higher standard. Across Dorset it was 57%, and across England 62%.
Expected standard reading, writing and maths
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading, writing and maths | |||
| ▼53% | 62% | ||
| ●7% | 8% | ||
| Average scaled score | |||
| ●104 | 106 | ||
| ●103 | 105 | ||
| ●103 | 105 | ||
Some years are for the predecessor school (URN 113816)
Ofsted
Ofsted inspected Thornford CofE Primary School on 26 November 2024 under its 2019 framework. Inspections from September 2024 give no overall grade.
- Overall
- No overall grade
- Inspected
- 26 Nov 2024
- Graded inspection
Safeguarding effectiveInspection reports
Graded areas
| Quality of education | Good |
|---|---|
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
Previously: Outstanding, graded inspection, May 2014
Earlier inspections
Before September 2019
May 2014Outstanding
Outcomes for pupils Outstanding Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding May 2007Outstanding
Outcomes for pupils Outstanding Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding Early years Good
What parents said
100% of the parents who answered Ofsted’s Parent View survey would recommend the school (39 replies, to 1 September 2025).
- Recommend
- 100%
- Replies
- 39
- 39% · 1 Sept 2025
based on the 67% who raised concerns
based on the 10% who had a child bullied