SchoolScoresSandford St Martin's CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School
Voluntary aided school · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England
Sandford, Wareham, BH20 7BN
01929 552949 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 1 November 2022.
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 | Outstanding |
| 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
61 pupils in this year group.
54% — 3 points below the Dorset average, and 8 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 54% | 57% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 5% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 69% | 73% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 57% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 74% | 70% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 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 | 34 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 31 |
| Of those, offered a place | 31 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 72 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 5th highest of 9 state primary schools in Wareham. Higher than 43% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 18.6% | 19.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 7th highest of 9 state primary schools in Wareham. Higher than 32% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.2% | 3.7%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 7th highest of 9 state primary schools in Wareham. Higher than 44% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 13.4% | 16.4%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 4th highest of 9 state primary schools in Wareham. Higher than 22% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.0% | 5.8%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 7th lowest of 9 state primary schools in Wareham. Lower than 32% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.7% | 5.3%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 8th lowest of 9 state primary schools in Wareham. Lower than 38% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 13.8% | 12.6%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 5th lowest of 9 state primary schools in Wareham. Lower than 27% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 3.0 | 2.9 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 9 state primary schools in Wareham. Lower than 30% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.4% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.27% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 1st highest of 8 state primary schools in Wareham. Higher than 63% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 21.7 | 20.5 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 2nd highest of 9 state primary schools in Wareham. Higher than 90% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 13.8 | 10.7 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 6th highest of 8 state primary schools in Wareham. Higher than 59% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 15.2% | 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
- Wareham St Mary CofE Primary School 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
- Stoborough CofE Primary School 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 56% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Sandford St Martin's CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Sandford St Martin's CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 1 November 2022.
How did Sandford St Martin's CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 54% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 8 points below the England average of 62%.
Is Sandford St Martin's CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 31 families put Sandford St Martin's CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School as their first choice for 34 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 31 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 113818.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- 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.