SchoolScoresThorncombe, St Mary's CofE Primary Academy
Academy · Primary, ages 2 to 11 · Mixed · Church of England · Nursery class
Part of THE FIRST FEDERATION TRUST
Chard Street, Chard, Thorncombe, TA20 4NE
0146030535 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 10 October 2023. 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 | Requires improvement |
| 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
12 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.
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 1st highest of 53 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorset. Higher than 82% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 93% | 88% |
| My child feels safe at this school Joint 1st highest of 53 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorset. Higher than 80% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100% | 94% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved Joint 40th highest of 53 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorset. Higher than 24% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 83% | 88% | 84% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent Joint 1st highest of 53 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorset. Higher than 90% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 100%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
2 pupils in this year group.
Only 2 pupils took these tests, so results can change a lot from year to year. Compare with care.
| Measure | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | Not published | 57% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | Not published | 7% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | Not published | 73% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | Not published | 70% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | Not published | 70% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | Not published | 105 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | Not published | 104 | 105 |
"Not published": Not published: too few pupils, so individual pupils could be identified.
Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, over time
| 2022/23 | 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|
| 67% | Not published | Not published |
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 | 3 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 3 |
| Of those, offered a place | 3 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 7 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 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 119 state primary schools in Dorset. Higher than 78% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 37.9% | 19.4%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 3rd highest of 119 state primary schools in Dorset. Higher than 98% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 12.5% | 3.7%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 62nd highest of 119 state primary schools in Dorset. Higher than 59% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 15.6% | 16.4%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language Joint 107th highest of 119 state primary schools in Dorset. Higher than 0% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 0.0% | 5.8%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 110th lowest of 119 state primary schools in Dorset. Lower than 7% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 7.4% | 5.3%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 103rd lowest of 119 state primary schools in Dorset. Lower than 18% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 18.5% | 12.6%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils Joint 1st lowest of 119 state primary schools in Dorset. 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 119 state primary schools in Dorset. 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 Joint 117th highest of 118 state primary schools in Dorset. Higher than 1% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 8.6 | 20.5 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 119th highest of 119 state primary schools in Dorset. Higher than 0% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 4.0 | 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
- Winsham Primary School 1.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Marshwood CofE Primary Academy 2.3 miles · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 38% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hawkchurch CofE 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 Thorncombe, St Mary's CofE Primary Academy's Ofsted rating?
Thorncombe, St Mary's CofE Primary Academy was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 10 October 2023.
How did Thorncombe, St Mary's CofE Primary Academy do in its SATs?
DfE didn't publish this figure for 2024/25. Not published: too few pupils, so individual pupils could be identified.
Would parents recommend Thorncombe, St Mary's CofE Primary Academy?
100% of the 12 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend Thorncombe, St Mary's CofE Primary Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Thorncombe, St Mary's CofE Primary Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 3 families put Thorncombe, St Mary's CofE Primary Academy as their first choice for 3 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 3 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 151307.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 4 September 2023 to 2 September 2024.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
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Page updated 26 September 2026.