SchoolScoresMotcombe CofE Primary School
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England
Part of SHERBORNE AREA SCHOOLS' TRUST
Church Road, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, SP7 9NT
01747 852018 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 27 June 2023.
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 | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
28 pupils in this year group.
68% — 11 points above the Dorset average, and 6 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 68% | 57% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 14% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 86% | 73% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 75% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 75% | 70% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 108 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 106 | 104 | 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 Dorset. 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 one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 8 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 8 |
| Of those, offered a place | 8 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 38 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 1.0
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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 5th highest of 6 state primary schools in Shaftesbury. Higher than 23% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 11.7% | 19.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th highest of 6 state primary schools in Shaftesbury. Higher than 52% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.1% | 3.7%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 5th highest of 6 state primary schools in Shaftesbury. Higher than 40% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 13.0% | 16.4%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 3rd highest of 6 state primary schools in Shaftesbury. Higher than 30% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 4.3% | 5.8%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 6 state primary schools in Shaftesbury. Lower than 83% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.9% | 5.3%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 6 state primary schools in Shaftesbury. Lower than 72% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 8.3% | 12.6%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 2nd lowest of 6 state primary schools in Shaftesbury. Lower than 58% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.6 | 2.9 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 2nd lowest of 6 state primary schools in Shaftesbury. Lower than 51% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.6% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 1st highest of 6 state primary schools in Shaftesbury. Higher than 52% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 20.8 | 20.5 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 6 state primary schools in Shaftesbury. Higher than 68% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 11.8 | 10.7 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 4th highest of 6 state primary schools in Shaftesbury. Higher than 0% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 15.3%* | 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
- Shaftesbury CofE Primary School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 expected, 4 needs attention · 44% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Mary the Virgin CofE Primary School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2022 · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- Gillingham Primary School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 expected, 4 needs attention · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
- Semley CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 45% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Motcombe CofE Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Motcombe CofE Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 27 June 2023.
How did Motcombe CofE Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 68% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 6 points above the England average of 62%.
Is Motcombe CofE Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 8 families put Motcombe CofE Primary School as their first choice for 8 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 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
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 141798.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.