SchoolScoresSixpenny Handley First School and Nursery
Academy · Primary, ages 2 to 9 · Mixed · Nursery class
Part of THE HEATH ACADEMY TRUST
Common Road, Sixpenny Handley, Salisbury, SP5 5NJ
01725 552356 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 12 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.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 26 April 2023: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
No test or exam results have been published for this school yet.
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 | 12 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 12 |
| Of those, offered a place | 12 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 14 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 81st highest of 119 state primary schools in Dorset. Higher than 26% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 12.7% | 19.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 108th highest of 119 state primary schools in Dorset. Higher than 13% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.2% | 3.7%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 21st highest of 119 state primary schools in Dorset. Higher than 87% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 21.9% | 16.4%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 107th highest of 119 state primary schools in Dorset. Higher than 0% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 5.8%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 5th lowest of 119 state primary schools in Dorset. Lower than 95% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.3% | 5.3%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 7th lowest of 119 state primary schools in Dorset. Lower than 95% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 3.8% | 12.6%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 119 state primary schools in Dorset. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0 | 2.9 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once Joint 1st lowest of 119 state primary schools in Dorset. Lower than 69% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 97th highest of 118 state primary schools in Dorset. Higher than 13% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 16.4 | 20.5 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 111th highest of 119 state primary schools in Dorset. Higher than 5% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 7.0 | 10.7 | 10.6 |
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.
Questions parents ask
What is Sixpenny Handley First School and Nursery's Ofsted rating?
Sixpenny Handley First School and Nursery was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 12 November 2014. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 26 April 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Is Sixpenny Handley First School and Nursery oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 12 families put Sixpenny Handley First School and Nursery as their first choice for 12 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 12 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 142503.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.