SchoolScoresSt James CofE First School
Academy · Primary, ages 2 to 9 · Mixed · Church of England · Nursery class
Part of DIOCESE OF SALISBURY ACADEMY TRUST
Gaunts Common, Wimborne, BH21 4JN
01258 840669 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
At the inspection that started on 4 February 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately. It stopped giving an overall grade in September 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 | 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.
What parents say
80 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Wimborne comparisons use the 8 of its 15 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 | Wimborne | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 5th highest of 8 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wimborne. Higher than 47% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 96% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 3rd highest of 8 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wimborne. Higher than 52% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 96% | 96% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 5th highest of 8 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wimborne. Higher than 48% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 91% | 91% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 23 parents whose child had been bullied 5th highest of 6 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wimborne. Higher than 34% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 48% | 60% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 48 parents who had raised a concern 3rd highest of 8 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wimborne. Higher than 65% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 85% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 3rd highest of 8 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Wimborne. Higher than 62% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 94%said yes | 91% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 58%). 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. Wimborne figures pool parents at the Wimborne 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
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 | 25 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 25 |
| Of those, offered a place | 24 (96%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 53 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.5 · 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 13th highest of 15 state primary schools in Wimborne. Higher than 7% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 6.3% | 19.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 9th highest of 15 state primary schools in Wimborne. Higher than 17% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.4% | 3.7%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 14th highest of 15 state primary schools in Wimborne. Higher than 10% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 8.0% | 16.4%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 6th highest of 15 state primary schools in Wimborne. Higher than 21% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.9% | 5.8%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 10th lowest of 15 state primary schools in Wimborne. Lower than 56% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.8% | 5.3%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 11th lowest of 15 state primary schools in Wimborne. Lower than 47% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 12.2% | 12.6%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 15 state primary schools in Wimborne. 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 15 state primary schools in Wimborne. 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 5th highest of 15 state primary schools in Wimborne. Higher than 70% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 22.3 | 20.5 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 8th highest of 15 state primary schools in Wimborne. Higher than 57% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 11.1 | 10.7 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year Joint 8th highest of 13 state primary schools in Wimborne. Higher than 69% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 18.5% | 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
- Witchampton CofE First School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Colehill First School 2.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Hayeswood First School 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St James CofE First School's Ofsted rating?
At its inspection in 4 February 2025, Ofsted graded each area separately; it stopped giving an overall grade in September 2024.
Would parents recommend St James CofE First School?
94% of the 80 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend St James CofE First School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St James CofE First School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 25 families put St James CofE First School as their first choice for 25 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 24 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 148300.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.