Shillingstone Church of England Primary School
Blandford Forum, DT11 0TX · Dorset · primary school
Check the area around this school
12th 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 — 7.5/10 against 2,651 of them, against 6.5/10 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 | 67.0 · 57 | 40% | 2.28 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 13.0 · 78 | 25% | 1.94 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Shillingstone Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 67.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 13.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (7.5 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.5 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in December 2023.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in the School Council and Sports Day, visit Bere Marsh Farm, and can attend both breakfast and after-school clubs.
Getting in
The published school roll is 103 pupils against a stated capacity of 105. 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 Council involve pupils in decision-making? What specific activities are included in the after-school club?
What Ofsted said about Shillingstone Church of England Primary School
Overview
Shillingstone Church of England Primary School is judged as ‘Good’ across all inspection categories. The report describes an ‘inclusive and caring community’ where pupils are ‘kind and patient’ and feel safe. Despite recent significant changes due to a merger with another local school, the institution has maintained a ‘distinctive ethos’ and high expectations for pupil behaviour and learning.
Strengths
- Pupils demonstrate ‘highly positive attitudes towards school’ and are ‘keen to learn and curious to know more’.
- There is a ‘sharp focus on early reading, mathematics and writing’, with staff ensuring information is presented clearly and checking understanding before teaching new content.
- Pastoral care is identified as a ‘strength’, with staff knowing every pupil and prioritising mental and physical health.
- The school successfully integrated new cohorts following the merger, with pupils being ‘integrated well’ and contributing positively to the community.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are ‘identified accurately’ and receive appropriate adaptations to learn alongside their peers.
Areas to improve
- The ‘precision evident in curriculum planning is not always evident in how it is delivered’, meaning learning activities do not always match pupil ability.
- Consequently, ‘some pupils do not move on to more complex work when they are ready’.
- The school ‘has not yet evaluated the impact of recent changes’ to the curriculum, particularly regarding mixed-age classes.
Safeguarding
The report states that ‘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 | 40% |
| 2023/24 | 36% |
| 2024/25 | 67% |
| 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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