Dodleston CofE Primary School

Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England

Part of CHESTER DIOCESAN ACADEMIES TRUST

Church Road, Dodleston, Chester, CH4 9NG

01244 662990 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 25 November 2014, before conversion
Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths60%England 62% · 2024/25
22nd highest of 37 state primary schools in Chester.
Higher than 37% of 14,185 state primary schools in England.
Pupils65Room for 84 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 94 in 2019, 86 in 2021, 76 in 2022, 86 in 2023, 79 in 2024, 73 in 2025, 65 in 2026. Across England, primary state school pupil numbers were down 4% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place0.98 for 9 places, September 2026
Joint 30th highest of 40 state primary schools in Chester.
Higher than 20% of 15,826 state primary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 25 November 2014. This inspection was of the school before it changed to its current form (for example, before becoming an academy).

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Outcomes for pupilsGood
Leadership and managementGood
Early yearsGood

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

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Results

Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25

10 pupils in this year group.

60% — about the same as the Cheshire West and Chester average, and 2 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolCheshire West and ChesterEngland
Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths 60% 61% 62%
Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths 0% 6% 8%
Met the expected standard in reading 80% 76% 75%
Met the expected standard in writing 60% 72% 72%
Met the expected standard in maths 70% 74% 74%
Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. 108 106 106
Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. 103 105 105
Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% 70% England 2022/23: 60%England 2023/24: 61%England 2024/25: 62% This school 2022/23: 47%This school 2023/24: 55%This school 2024/25: 60% This school England 62% 2022/23 47% 2023/24 55% 2024/25 60%

Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Admissions

Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Cheshire West and Chester. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.

How hard is it to get in?

For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.

Places offered9
Families who put it first8
Of those, offered a place8 (100%)
Families who listed it at all21

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.7 · 2026: 0.9

This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.

This is a Church of England school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.

Admissions dates and schools in Cheshire West and Chester

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolCheshire West and ChesterEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
23rd highest of 40 state primary schools in Chester.
Higher than 20% of 16,656 state primary schools in England.
11.0% 20.2%* 26.3%
With an education, health and care plan
16th highest of 40 state primary schools in Chester.
Higher than 70% of 16,656 state primary schools in England.
4.1% 3.9%* 3.5%
Receiving special educational needs support
27th highest of 40 state primary schools in Chester.
Higher than 11% of 16,656 state primary schools in England.
8.2% 13.9%* 15.0%
English as an additional language
23rd highest of 40 state primary schools in Chester.
Higher than 41% of 16,656 state primary schools in England.
6.8% 9.2%* 23.4%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
38th lowest of 40 state primary schools in Chester.
Lower than 2% of 16,640 state primary schools in England.
8.9% 5.0%* 5.2%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
38th lowest of 40 state primary schools in Chester.
Lower than 10% of 16,640 state primary schools in England.
21.7% 11.5%* 13.0%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
Joint 1st lowest of 40 state primary schools in Chester.
Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England.
0.0 1.9 2.5
Pupils suspended at least once
Joint 1st lowest of 40 state primary schools in Chester.
Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England.
0.0% 0.8% 1.1%
Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils 0.00% 0.01% 0.03%
Pupils per teacher
40th highest of 40 state primary schools in Chester.
Higher than 4% of 16,642 state primary schools in England.
13.0 19.8 20.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
36th highest of 40 state primary schools in Chester.
Higher than 9% of 16,653 state primary schools in England.
7.8 10.6 10.6
Teachers who left during the year
Joint 24th highest of 36 state primary schools in Chester.
Higher than 0% of 15,063 state primary schools in England.
0.0% 9.9%* 14.4%*

Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.

Nearby primary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Dodleston CofE Primary School's Ofsted rating?

Dodleston CofE Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 25 November 2014.

How did Dodleston CofE Primary School do in its SATs?

In 2024/25, 60% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 2 points below the England average of 62%.

Is Dodleston CofE Primary School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 8 families put Dodleston CofE Primary School as their first choice for 9 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 8 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

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Page updated 26 September 2026.