SchoolScoresSt James' CofE First School and Nursery, Alderholt
Academy · Primary, ages 2 to 9 · Mixed · Church of England · Nursery class
Part of THE HEATH ACADEMY TRUST
Park Lane, Alderholt, Fordingbridge, SP6 3AJ
01425 653063 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 10 October 2013. 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 |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 14 March 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 | 22 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 22 |
| Of those, offered a place | 22 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 29 |
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.
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 4th highest of 7 state primary schools in Fordingbridge. Higher than 38% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 16.9% | 19.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 7th highest of 7 state primary schools in Fordingbridge. Higher than 0% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 3.7%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 7th highest of 7 state primary schools in Fordingbridge. Higher than 7% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 7.2% | 16.4%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 4th highest of 7 state primary schools in Fordingbridge. Higher than 13% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.6% | 5.8%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 7 state primary schools in Fordingbridge. Lower than 63% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 4.6% | 5.3%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 7 state primary schools in Fordingbridge. Lower than 75% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 7.8% | 12.6%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 7 state primary schools in Fordingbridge. 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 7 state primary schools in Fordingbridge. 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 4th highest of 7 state primary schools in Fordingbridge. Higher than 29% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 18.7 | 20.5 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 5th highest of 7 state primary schools in Fordingbridge. Higher than 14% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 8.4 | 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.
Nearby primary schools
- Fordingbridge Junior School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- Fordingbridge Infant School 2.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024
- Hillside Community First School 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2011, before conversion), confirmed 2023
- Trinity CofE First School 2.8 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St James' CofE First School and Nursery, Alderholt's Ofsted rating?
St James' CofE First School and Nursery, Alderholt was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 10 October 2013. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 14 March 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Is St James' CofE First School and Nursery, Alderholt oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 22 families put St James' CofE First School and Nursery, Alderholt as their first choice for 22 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 22 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 142506.
- 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.