Beaminster St Mary's Academy
Beaminster, DT8 3BY · Dorset · primary school
Check the area around this school
25th of 79 primary schools in Dorset we can score, 119 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 6.4/10 against 2,257 of them, against 5.2/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 75.0 · 78 | 40% | 3.11 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Beaminster St Mary's Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 75.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing, and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. However, 0.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2023. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.2 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 140 pupils against a stated capacity of 210. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils who have not yet reached the higher standard in core subjects? What does a typical day look like for a child in terms of structured learning time? How does the school maintain its Good rating following the 2023 inspection?
What Ofsted said about Beaminster St Mary's Academy
Overview
Beaminster St Mary’s Academy is described as a “highly positive, vibrant school community” where pupils are “motivated to learn” and feel safe due to strong staff relationships. The inspection confirms that the school’s overall effectiveness is Good, reflecting a “strong momentum of school improvement” under new leadership that has positively impacted learning in a short time.
Strengths
- Pupils behave well, treating others with “respect and kindness,” and are confident that bullying is not tolerated.
- The curriculum in phonics and mathematics is “well-sequenced,” with knowledge broken into “small steps” that pupils secure before progressing.
- Early years provision is strong, with staff helping children use “spoken language accurately” through questioning and modelling.
- Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is “precise and bespoke,” with effective plans that help close learning gaps.
- Enrichment opportunities, such as community events and live lectures, are valued by pupils and parents for broadening interests.
Areas to improve
- In some subjects, essential knowledge is not broken down into small enough steps, leaving teachers and pupils unclear about specific learning goals.
- Teaching does not always match the needs of some pupils with SEND, meaning they do not learn as well as they could in certain subjects.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a “robust culture” ensuring staff are trained to identify signs of abuse and report concerns swiftly.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 47% |
| 2023/24 | 41% |
| 2024/25 | 75% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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