Best State Primary Schools in Dorset County

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.

Montacute School is an all-through school located in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Founded in 2011, the school provides education for students aged 2 to 18 years. With a student-teacher ratio of 5:1, Montacute School offers personalized attention and a curriculum designed to meet the special educational needs of all pupils. The school has a strong monitoring system for teaching quality and progress, ensuring that all groups of pupils make good progress. Pupils feel safe and enjoy school, with effective safeguarding procedures in place. Montacute School also offers a well-managed early years program and a good range of studies for post-16 students.

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.

Bayside Academy is a primary school located in a stunning natural setting in Bournemouth. With a focus on high expectations and excellent teaching, our dedicated staff instill a passion for learning in our students. We prioritize the development of the 'whole child' and strive to prepare them as responsible global citizens. Our safe and caring environment ensures each child has the finest opportunity to succeed.

Winton Primary School is a co-ed primary school located in Bournemouth. Led by Headteacher Neil Tarchetti, the school maintains a high quality of education with a focus on raising achievement and promoting a love of reading. With a student teacher ratio of 21:1, the school provides a healthy balance of support and challenge, ensuring students receive the attention they need. The school places strong emphasis on safeguarding processes and has rigorous safety measures in place. While attendance rates are below national average, the school strives to provide equal opportunities for all students, including those with Special Educational Needs (SEN). With an overall grade of B- and excellent exam results, Winton Primary School is dedicated to preparing students for success.

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.

Heathlands Primary Academy is a small and welcoming primary school located in Bournemouth. With a dedicated staff and a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, we prioritize academic excellence and personal development. Our curriculum focuses on subjects and rigorous standards ensure that every child can succeed. We have a diverse and inclusive community, with 94% of students eligible for free school meals and 20.4% receiving SEN support. Our recent Ofsted report graded us as 'Good' in all areas, highlighting the quality of education, behavior, and leadership. With excellent exam results, including an average score of 101 in maths and 100 in reading, we prepare our students for the next stage of their education. At Heathlands, respect, excellence, and integrity are the core principles that guide us in shaping well-rounded individuals. Contact us for more information on our nurturing and successful learning environment.

Bincombe Valley Primary School is a co-ed primary school located in Littlemoor, Dorset. With an average student-teacher ratio of 21:1, the school focuses on providing a quality education for students aged 2-11. The school has a strong emphasis on personal development and welfare, with a Good rating from Ofsted. With a diverse student body, the school offers a safe and supportive learning environment. Additionally, the school has a dedicated team to support students with Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. With a balanced academic program and positive outcomes for pupils, Bincombe Valley Primary School is an excellent choice for parents seeking a nurturing educational environment for their children.

Westfield Arts College is an outstanding all-through school located in Preston, Dorset. With a student-teacher ratio of 7:1, our tailored teaching programs and interventions provide excellent support for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Moderate Learning Difficulty. We have effective safeguarding policies, good staff support and training, and a positive Ofsted report. Our focus on individual progress ensures each student receives the education they deserve.

St George's Community Primary School is a welcoming and inclusive school located in Portland, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 22:1, we provide a supportive and nurturing environment for students aged 4 to 11. Our Good Ofsted rating reflects our commitment to high-quality teaching and learning, ensuring positive outcomes for our pupils. Our focus on personal development, behaviour, and welfare ensures a safe and inclusive learning environment. We are proud of our students' achievements, with strong exam results in maths and reading. Come and join our vibrant school community!

Somerford Primary School is a well-established co-educational primary school located in Christchurch. With a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, the school provides a nurturing environment for children aged 4-11 years. Offering a diverse curriculum and excellent resources, the school focuses on the overall development of students. The school's recent Ofsted report rated it as 'Good' in all areas, highlighting the quality of education, positive behavior, and leadership. With strong exam results and a focus on individual progress, Somerford Primary School prides itself on providing a supportive and engaging learning environment for every student.