SchoolScoresSt Mary's CofE Middle School, Puddletown
Academy · Secondary, ages 9 to 13 · Mixed · Church of England
Part of WESSEX MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Coombe Road, Puddletown, Dorchester, DT2 8SA
01305 848293 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 18 September 2019.
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 |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 22 January 2025: Ofsted found some aspects were not as strong as at the last graded inspection.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
159 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.
Dorchester comparisons use the 4 of its 5 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other one has 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 | Dorchester | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorchester. Higher than 53% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84% | 83% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorchester. Higher than 61% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 89% | 86% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorchester. Higher than 56% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81% | 76% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 52 parents whose child had been bullied 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorchester. Higher than 62% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 54% | 45% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 117 parents who had raised a concern 2nd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorchester. Higher than 59% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 74% | 70% | 76% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 44 parents of children with SEND Joint 1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorchester. Higher than 36% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 55% | 55% | 68% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorchester. Higher than 67% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 86%said yes | 82% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 36%). 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. Dorchester figures pool parents at the Dorchester 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
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
109 pupils in this year group.
61% — 4 points above the Dorset average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 61% | 57% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 11% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 72% | 73% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 72% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 70% | 70% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 105 | 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 secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
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
Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision with 10 places for other difficulties or disabilities; Speech, language and communication needs; Autism. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.
| Pupils | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 5th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Dorchester. Higher than 22% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.1% | 23.2%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Dorchester. Higher than 91% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.8% | 4.4%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Dorchester. Higher than 91% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 21.4% | 15.4%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Dorchester. Higher than 7% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 2.2% | 5.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Dorchester. Lower than 80% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 6.5% | 9.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Dorchester. Lower than 72% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 18.8% | 24.7%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 1st lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Dorchester. Lower than 62% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.6 | 18.7 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 2nd lowest of 5 state secondary schools in Dorchester. Lower than 61% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 5.4% | 6.7% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils | 0.00% | 0.24% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Dorchester. Higher than 82% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 18.5 | 17.0 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 4th highest of 5 state secondary schools in Dorchester. Higher than 29% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.9 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 2nd highest of 5 state secondary schools in Dorchester. Higher than 55% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 14.2% | 13.8%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Questions parents ask
What is St Mary's CofE Middle School, Puddletown's Ofsted rating?
St Mary's CofE Middle School, Puddletown was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 18 September 2019. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 22 January 2025, Ofsted found some aspects were not as strong as at the last graded inspection.
Would parents recommend St Mary's CofE Middle School, Puddletown?
86% of the 159 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend St Mary's CofE Middle School, Puddletown to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 138189.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 3 September 2024 to 1 September 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.