SchoolScoresHighcliffe St Mark Primary School
Foundation school · Primary, ages 3 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England · Nursery class
Part of Christchurch Learning Partnership and Church of England
Greenways, Highcliffe, Christchurch, BH23 5AZ
01425 273029 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 11 June 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
123 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Christchurch comparisons use the 5 of its 12 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 7 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Christchurch | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 5th highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Christchurch. Higher than 27% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 91% | 95% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 5th highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Christchurch. Higher than 22% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 95% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 5th highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Christchurch. Higher than 29% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 85% | 92% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 50 parents whose child had been bullied 2nd highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Christchurch. Higher than 47% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 54% | 56% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 101 parents who had raised a concern 5th highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Christchurch. Higher than 30% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 76% | 87% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 5th highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Christchurch. Higher than 32% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86%said yes | 93% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Christchurch figures pool parents at the Christchurch schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
95 pupils in this year group.
58% — 5 points below the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole average, and 4 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 58% | 63% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 7% | 11% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 78% | 77% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 67% | 75% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 75% | 75% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 106 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 105 | 105 |
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 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. 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 about 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 58 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 68 |
| Of those, offered a place | 57 (84%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 117 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.2
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 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 12th highest of 12 state primary schools in Christchurch. Higher than 10% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 7.4% | 20.5%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 6th highest of 12 state primary schools in Christchurch. Higher than 59% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.4% | 3.6%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 12th highest of 12 state primary schools in Christchurch. Higher than 20% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 10.0% | 13.5%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 8th highest of 12 state primary schools in Christchurch. Higher than 27% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.8% | 19.5%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 8th lowest of 12 state primary schools in Christchurch. Lower than 44% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.2% | 4.9%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 7th lowest of 12 state primary schools in Christchurch. Lower than 48% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 12.1% | 10.7%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 7th lowest of 12 state primary schools in Christchurch. Lower than 46% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.3 | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 6th lowest of 12 state primary schools in Christchurch. Lower than 50% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.7% | 1.3% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 12 state primary schools in Christchurch. Higher than 89% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 24.6 | 21.2 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 5th highest of 12 state primary schools in Christchurch. Higher than 65% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 11.6 | 11.1 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 11 state primary schools in Christchurch. Higher than 66% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 17.4% | 13.6%* | 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
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Christchurch 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024 · 74% met expected standard (KS2)
- New Milton Junior School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 strong, 2 expected · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- New Milton Infant School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Mudeford Junior School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 82% met expected standard (KS2)
- Somerford Primary School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 expected, 3 needs attention · 41% met expected standard (KS2)
- Mudeford Community Infants' School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024
- Bransgore CofE Primary School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 70% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ashley Junior School 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 56% met expected standard (KS2)
- Burton CofE Primary School 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 6 expected · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Highcliffe St Mark Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Highcliffe St Mark Primary School was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 11 June 2024.
How did Highcliffe St Mark Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 58% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 4 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Highcliffe St Mark Primary School?
86% of the 123 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Highcliffe St Mark Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Highcliffe St Mark Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 68 families put Highcliffe St Mark Primary School as their first choice for 58 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 57 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 134987.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.