SchoolScoresSwanage St Mark's CofE Primary School
Academy · Primary, ages 4 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England
Part of COASTAL LEARNING PARTNERSHIP
High Street, Swanage, BH19 2PH
01929 422949 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 22 May 2018.
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 |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 17 April 2024: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
41 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Dorset comparisons use the 53 of its 119 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 66 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 | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school Joint 32nd highest of 53 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorset. Higher than 35% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 93% | 93% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 45th highest of 53 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorset. Higher than 16% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 94% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 11th highest of 53 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorset. Higher than 68% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 95% | 88% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 17 parents whose child had been bullied 3rd highest of 34 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorset. Higher than 97% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 82% | 55% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 37 parents who had raised a concern Joint 34th highest of 52 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorset. Higher than 42% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 81% | 82% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 40th highest of 53 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorset. Higher than 25% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83%said yes | 89% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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. Dorset figures pool parents at the Dorset 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
29 pupils in this year group.
43% — 14 points below the Dorset average, and 19 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 43% | 57% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 11% | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 55% | 73% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 61% | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 59% | 70% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 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 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 | 4 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 4 |
| Of those, offered a place | 4 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 26 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 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 1st highest of 4 state primary schools in Swanage. Higher than 81% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 40.8% | 19.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 4th highest of 4 state primary schools in Swanage. Higher than 39% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 2.5% | 3.7%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 4 state primary schools in Swanage. Higher than 86% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 21.7% | 16.4%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 4 state primary schools in Swanage. Higher than 64% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 17.5% | 5.8%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 4th lowest of 4 state primary schools in Swanage. Lower than 7% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 7.4% | 5.3%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 4th lowest of 4 state primary schools in Swanage. Lower than 5% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 25.2% | 12.6%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 4th lowest of 4 state primary schools in Swanage. Lower than 13% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 5.8 | 2.9 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 4th lowest of 4 state primary schools in Swanage. Lower than 5% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 4.2% | 1.2% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.83% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 4th highest of 4 state primary schools in Swanage. Higher than 6% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 14.5 | 20.5 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 4th highest of 4 state primary schools in Swanage. Higher than 11% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 8.1 | 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
- St George's CofE Primary School, Langton Matravers 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023, before conversion) · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Swanage Primary School 1.0 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019, before conversion) · 47% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage 1.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 65% met expected standard (KS2)
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Swanage St Mark's CofE Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Swanage St Mark's CofE Primary School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 22 May 2018. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 17 April 2024, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did Swanage St Mark's CofE Primary School do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 43% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 19 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Swanage St Mark's CofE Primary School?
83% of the 41 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Swanage St Mark's CofE Primary School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Swanage St Mark's CofE Primary School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 4 families put Swanage St Mark's CofE Primary School as their first choice for 4 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 4 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 142165.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.