Best Primary Schools in Dorset County

Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School is a Roman Catholic school located in Boscombe, Bournemouth. With a student-teacher ratio of 20:1 and a strong culture of safeguarding, our school provides a safe and nurturing environment for children aged 4-11. Our dedicated leadership team ensures that every child has the opportunity to succeed academically, emotionally, spiritually, and socially. With good overall effectiveness and outstanding behaviour and safety of pupils, parents can be confident in the quality of education we offer.

Bethany Church of England Junior School is a nurturing and inclusive primary school located in Boscombe, Bournemouth. With a strong Christian foundation, we provide a joyful and supportive learning environment for children aged 7-11. Our dedicated staff inspire students to achieve academic and personal excellence, while fostering values of confidence, compassion, creativity, and curiosity. We have high expectations for all our students and offer a wide range of opportunities for them to develop their unique strengths and talents. With a good Ofsted rating and impressive exam results, Bethany CE Junior School prepares students for success in secondary school and beyond.

Jewell Academy Bournemouth is an outstanding primary school that provides exceptional education and care for children aged 4-11. With a dedicated and highly qualified staff, outstanding teaching, and a focus on individualized learning, our school ensures that every child feels special, safe, and supported. We have a strong curriculum that meets the needs of all students, excellent early years provision, and a commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and pride in our school community. Our high standards of safety, achievement, and behaviour make us a top choice for parents seeking a nurturing and academically enriching environment for their children.

St. Walburga's Catholic Primary School is a vibrant and inclusive school located in Bournemouth. With a strong Roman Catholic ethos, we provide a nurturing and supportive environment for children aged 4-11. Our dedicated teachers and staff strive to ensure academic excellence, while promoting personal development and global awareness. Our outstanding Ofsted rating and impressive exam results demonstrate our commitment to delivering a high-quality education. Join our welcoming community and watch your child thrive at St. Walburga's.

Elm Academy is an outstanding primary school located in Bournemouth. With a dedicated and highly skilled staff, the school ensures that students make rapid progress academically and have access to a wide range of learning opportunities. The school's exceptional leadership and management, as well as its outstanding behaviour and safety measures, provide a nurturing environment for all students. Elm Academy values every student, promotes high expectations, and fosters a love for learning, ensuring that each child achieves their full potential.

King's Park Academy is a primary school located in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. With a focus on providing a well-rounded education, the school offers a curriculum that includes core skills in English and mathematics, as well as opportunities to explore science, humanities, and the arts. Led by Mrs Lauren Dean, the academy prides itself on its outstanding leadership and management, ensuring success for all pupils. With a student teacher ratio of 23:1 and a strong culture of safeguarding, King's Park Academy provides a safe and supportive learning environment for children aged 4-11. The school's dedication to personal development, behaviour, and welfare has been recognized as outstanding. While there are areas for improvement, such as tracking progress in certain subjects, King's Park Academy has an overall grade of A and offers a good standard of education for its students.

Ocean Academy Poole is an established and oversubscribed primary school in Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole. With a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, our dedicated staff provides a varied and exciting curriculum that supports the emotional and physical well-being of our students. We pride ourselves on exemplary pupil behavior and outstanding personal development. While some areas may require improvement, such as consistency in teaching and structure in foundation subjects, we strive for good overall effectiveness and positive feedback from parents.

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Poole is a co-educational Roman Catholic school catering to students aged 4-11. With a student-teacher ratio of 20:1, the school provides a supportive and inclusive environment for its 388 students. The school has a good overall effectiveness rating from Ofsted, with a focus on quality education, positive behaviour, and personal development. The school also prioritizes student safety and offers a diverse learning experience.

Blandford St Mary Church of England Primary School is a well-established and inclusive school, providing a nurturing and inviting environment for children aged 4 to 11. With a strong focus on teaching quality, the school offers a rich and varied curriculum, ensuring improved outcomes for pupils. The school's leadership and governance are highly effective, leading to a Good overall rating by Ofsted. Although some areas, such as phonics teaching and support for pupils with special educational needs, require improvement, the school excels in mathematics and personal development. With a student-teacher ratio of 21:1, Blandford St Mary is dedicated to providing a positive and supportive learning environment for all students.

Livingstone Road Junior School is a primary school located in Parkstone, Bournemouth. With a student teacher ratio of 18:1 and a commitment to fostering the development of the whole child, the school provides a nurturing environment for children aged 7-11. The school offers a good quality of education, with strong leadership and management, and a focus on behavior, attitudes, and personal development. With 94% of students eligible for free school meals, Livingstone Road Junior School prioritizes inclusivity and support for students with special educational needs. The school's average scores in maths and reading are above average, with 12% of students achieving at a higher standard in reading, writing, and maths.

St Mary's Catholic Primary School in Poole is a welcoming and respectful Christian learning community. With strong leadership and dedicated teachers, the school fosters the values of love, respect, creativity, and spirituality. Students make good progress academically, with above-average progress for those with English as an additional language. The school offers a broad curriculum with opportunities for music and arts. Pupils behave well and have a strong sense of moral obligation. The school actively promotes British values and prepares students to be responsible citizens.

Manorside Academy is an outstanding primary school dedicated to providing high-quality education and ensuring every child reaches their full potential. With highly ambitious leaders and excellent teaching, our students make exceptional progress in all areas. We offer a motivating curriculum, a safe and nurturing environment, and strong support for students with special educational needs. Our outstanding exam results and focus on personal development make us the ideal choice for parents seeking a school that sets high expectations and prepares students for success in secondary school and beyond.

William Barnes Primary School is a co-educational primary school located in Sturminster Newton, South West. With a student teacher ratio of 18:1 and a student population of 167, the school offers a nurturing environment for students aged 4-11 years. The school has received a Good rating from Ofsted, with outstanding behavior and safety of pupils. With a focus on improving writing and effective training for teachers, the school ensures quality education. However, further development is needed for higher-ability students to achieve at a higher level in certain subjects.

Holy Trinity Church of England VC Primary School & Community Nursery is a co-educational school located in Dorset, South West. With a strong emphasis on academic achievement, the school provides a positive and nurturing environment for students aged 2-11 years. The dedicated staff quickly identify pupils needing extra support and subject leaders provide knowledgeable and supportive guidance. The school effectively uses additional funding to close attainment gaps and promote personal development. With high expectations, a strong sense of values, and a focus on pupil welfare, Holy Trinity encourages pride in student work and fosters a positive climate for learning.

Christ The King Catholic Primary School is a co-ed Roman Catholic primary school located in Kinson, Bournemouth. With a student teacher ratio of 20:1, the school provides a nurturing environment for children aged 3-11. It offers a diverse curriculum and has a good overall effectiveness according to Ofsted. With a focus on personal development, the school aims to ensure every child reaches their full potential.

St Joseph's Catholic Primary School in Christchurch is dedicated to providing a strong education within a supportive and caring environment. With a focus on Catholic values, the school aims to help students become well-rounded individuals who are prepared for secondary school and beyond. The school's leadership team is committed to improving outcomes for students, and the close partnership with governors ensures a high standard of education. While there are areas for improvement, such as phonics teaching and consistent use of assessment data, St Joseph's Catholic Primary School provides a positive learning experience for children aged 5-11.

Queen's Park Academy is an outstanding primary school located in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. With excellent teaching and curriculum planning, the school nurtures a love for learning in its students. The academy provides a safe and well-behaved environment, ensuring the progress and achievements of all pupils. Led by Mrs Sarah Simmons, the dedicated staff and strong leadership have established a reputation for supporting other schools and achieving success in teaching and learning.

Longspee School is an outstanding middle deemed primary school located in Bournemouth. With a student-teacher ratio of 4:1, the school provides a safe and nurturing environment for pupils aged 5-16. The curriculum is well-designed, ensuring that targets in pupils' education, health, and care plans are met. Teachers encourage open communication about emotions and feelings, fostering personal development and welfare. With outstanding exam results and effective safeguarding arrangements, Longspee School is an excellent choice for parents seeking a high-quality education for their children.

Symondsbury Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is a reputable primary school located in Symondsbury, South West. With a strong emphasis on personal development, the school provides an outstanding learning environment for children aged 4-11 years. Led by Mrs Emma Roberts, the dedicated team of teachers ensures a high student-teacher ratio of 18:1, fostering individual attention and support. The school's good quality education, exceptional leadership, and safe environment make it an ideal choice for parents looking for a well-rounded education for their children.

All Saints Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School is a caring and inclusive school located in Bishops Caundle, South West. With a student teacher ratio of 18:1, the school offers a high-quality education for children aged 4-11 years. It has been praised by Ofsted for its good overall effectiveness, achievement of pupils, and outstanding behaviour and safety. With a positive and supportive culture, effective safeguarding arrangements, and dedicated staff, All Saints is committed to providing an excellent learning environment for all students.