Durweston Church of England Primary School
Blandford Forum, DT11 0QA · Dorset · primary school
Check the area around this school
4th 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 the 3,930 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.3/10 among them, against 5.8/10 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 | 80.0 · 88 | 40% | 3.51 |
| Ofsted | 92 | 35% | 3.22 |
| 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.
Durweston Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 80.0% 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%. An Ofsted inspection in February 2026 used the new report-card framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 4.3 out of 10 among them, against 5.8 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in football, the Go for Gold arts programme, and trips to Moors Valley and for coastal walks.
Getting in
The published school roll is 144 pupils against a stated capacity of 140. 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? How does the new Ofsted report-card framework influence current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Durweston Church of England Primary School
Overview
Durweston Church of England Primary School is described as a "highly inclusive" institution where leaders have created a "very friendly and calm school." The report highlights that pupils "enjoy school, attend well and arrive ready to learn," benefiting from a "rich and ambitious" curriculum and strong community links.
Strengths
- Published results in reading and mathematics are "well above the national average," with all pupils meeting expected standards in 2025.
- Attendance has risen markedly, with leaders successfully helping pupils "overcome barriers to regular attendance" and reducing anxiety.
- The school fosters a "tangible sense of belonging" where bullying is "very rare" and discrimination is "not tolerated."
- Staff provide "consistent and effective support" for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs, using personalised plans and specialist resources.
- The early years curriculum is "highly effective," with staff carefully planning activities so children "succeed and are not overwhelmed."
Areas to improve
- Leaders should "develop teachers' subject-specific pedagogical knowledge even further" to enable pupils to deepen their knowledge across the whole curriculum.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 78% |
| 2023/24 | 63% |
| 2024/25 | 80% |
| 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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