Bridport, St Mary's Church of England Primary School
Bridport, DT6 5LA · Dorset · primary school
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37th 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.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 4.0/10 against 2,388 of them, against 3.6/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 52.0 · 22 | 40% | 0.88 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 8.0 · 57 | 25% | 1.43 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Bridport, St Mary's Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 52.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, 8.0% achieved this, against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in July 2024. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (4.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.6 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Cross Country, Netball, Tag Rugby, Archery, Orienteering, and Futsal, alongside music tuition. The school provides both a breakfast club and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 194 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 are below the expected standard in maths? What specific activities are included in the after-school club? How does the school maintain its Good Ofsted rating while addressing the gap in reading results?
What Ofsted said about Bridport, St Mary's Church of England Primary School
Overview
The report describes the school as a ‘caring community where all can learn and shine’, where pupils feel well looked after and are proud of their environment. Leaders maintain high expectations for behaviour, resulting in a calm atmosphere where pupils learn with little disruption. The school is ambitious for all pupils, striving to improve outcomes so that learners of all ages can achieve as well as possible.
Strengths
- The trust prioritises reading, with effective phonics instruction and strategies that help pupils increase accuracy and fluency.
- Pupils enthusiastically earn reward points for being ready to learn, respectful and safe, and take on responsibilities such as well-being ambassadors.
- The school provides rich opportunities to learn outside the classroom, including trips, musical performances, and sports.
- The personal development curriculum effectively teaches pupils how to keep themselves safe, manage mental health, and understand healthy relationships.
- Leaders are considerate of staff workload and well-being, while governors have an accurate understanding of the school’s strengths.
Areas to improve
- The planned curriculum is not always implemented as intended, meaning pupils do not all have the same opportunities to develop knowledge and skills.
- Assessment is not consistently informing future planning, resulting in some pupils moving on too quickly or too slowly, which hinders learning.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 66% |
| 2023/24 | 41% |
| 2024/25 | 52% |
| 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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