Schools by area › Dorset › Sherborne Primary School
Sherborne Primary School
Primary · Mixed · Ages 4–11 · Academy
Harbour Way, Sherborne DT9 4AJ · sherbornepri.dorset.sch.uk · 01935 812619
Overview
- Ofsted
- Report card
- Jan 2026 · graded by area, with no overall grade
- Key stage 2, 2024/25
- 47%
- reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. Dorset 57%, England 62%
- Last distance offered
- 5.24 mi
- 8.43 km · Reception, September 2026 entry · Dorset Council
- Demand for places
- 1.0
- first choices for each place · Reception, September 2026
- Pupils
- 304
- 92% of 330 places
- Local authority
- Dorset
- Nursery class
- No
- Free school meals
- 18.4%
- First language not English
- 5.9%
- 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 5.24 mi (8.43 km) from the school. Source: Dorset Council’s document.
For Reception in September 2026, 48 families put the school first and 47 places were offered; 96% 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 | 47 | 48 | 1▲ | 96% |
| September 2025Sept 2025 | 42 | 39 | 0.9 | 100% |
| September 2024Sept 2024 | 47 | 49 | 1▲ | 94% |
| September 2023Sept 2023 | 47 | 43 | 0.9 | 98% |
| September 2022Sept 2022 | 32 | 28 | 0.9 | 100% |
Last distance offered
| Reception | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | 5.24 mi8.43 km | |
Results
In 2024/25, 47% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at the end of key stage 2, and 6% 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 | |||
| ▼47% | 62% | ||
| ●6% | 8% | ||
| Average scaled score | |||
| ▼103 | 106 | ||
| ▼100 | 105 | ||
| ●103 | 105 | ||
Some years are for the predecessor school (URN 113673)
Ofsted
Ofsted inspected Sherborne Primary School on 6 January 2026 and published a report card: each area has its own grade, and there is no overall grade.
- Inclusion: Expected standard
- Curriculum and teaching: Needs attention
- Achievement: Needs attention
- Attendance and behaviour: Expected standard
- Personal development and well-being: Expected standard
- Early years: Expected standard
- Leadership and governance: Expected standard
- Inspected
- 6 Jan 2026
- Report card
- Safeguarding
- Met
Graded areas
| Inclusion | Expected standard |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and teaching | Needs attention |
| Achievement | Needs attention |
| Attendance and behaviour | Expected standard |
| Personal development and well-being | Expected standard |
| Early years | Expected standard |
| Leadership and governance | Expected standard |
Previously: Remains Good, ungraded inspection, Oct 2021
Earlier inspections
September 2019 to November 2025
Oct 2021Ungraded inspectionRemains Good
Safeguarding Effective
Before September 2019
Nov 2012Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Leadership and management Good Nov 2010Requires improvement
Outcomes for pupils Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Leadership and management Good Early years Good
What parents said
98% of the parents who answered Ofsted’s Parent View survey would recommend the school (50 replies, to 6 April 2026).
- Recommend
- 98%
- Positive
- 96%
- Replies
- 50
- 16% · 6 Apr 2026
based on the 90% who raised concerns
based on 6 parents (12%) whose child was bullied
based on 4 parents (8%) with SEND