SchoolScoresSt Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester
Academy · Primary, ages 2 to 9 · Mixed · Roman Catholic · Nursery class
Part of PLYMOUTH CAST
Lucetta Lane, Dorchester, DT1 2DD
01305 262258 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 13 July 2010. 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 11 January 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 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 29 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 33 |
| Of those, offered a place | 29 (88%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 88 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.5 · 2025: 1.2 · 2026: 1.1
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 Roman Catholic 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 14th highest of 16 state primary schools in Dorchester. Higher than 15% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 9.3% | 19.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 13th highest of 16 state primary schools in Dorchester. Higher than 22% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 1.7% | 3.7%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 14th highest of 16 state primary schools in Dorchester. Higher than 19% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 9.8% | 16.4%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 16 state primary schools in Dorchester. Higher than 62% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 16.1% | 5.8%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 11th lowest of 16 state primary schools in Dorchester. Lower than 38% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.4% | 5.3%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 7th lowest of 16 state primary schools in Dorchester. Lower than 57% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 10.6% | 12.6%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 7th lowest of 16 state primary schools in Dorchester. Lower than 48% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.1 | 2.9 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 7th lowest of 16 state primary schools in Dorchester. Lower than 52% 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 2nd highest of 16 state primary schools in Dorchester. Higher than 76% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 22.9 | 20.5 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 4th highest of 16 state primary schools in Dorchester. Higher than 44% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 10.4 | 10.7 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 11 state primary schools in Dorchester. Higher than 18% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 3.3% | 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
- Manor Park CofE First School 0.3 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected
- The Prince of Wales School 1.1 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
- Damers First School 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017, before conversion), confirmed 2025
- St Mary's CofE First School, Charminster 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019, before conversion)
- Broadmayne First School and Nursery 2.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester's Ofsted rating?
St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 13 July 2010. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 11 January 2023, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Is St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 33 families put St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester as their first choice for 29 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 29 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 140771.
- 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.