Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary School
Swanage, BH19 2PH · Dorset · primary school
Check the area around this school
39th 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 — 4.3/10 against 1,188 of them, against 3.4/10 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 | 43.0 · 11 | 40% | 0.42 |
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.82 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 11.0 · 71 | 25% | 1.77 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 43.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, 11.0% achieved it against a national median of 7%. Ofsted rated the school Good in May 2024. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (4.3 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils participate in Forest School and Walk and Talk clubs, attend Purbeck Arts Week and Creative Day, and can join the breakfast club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 89 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 take place during Purbeck Arts Week? How does the Forest School curriculum link to the main classroom learning?
What Ofsted said about Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary School
Overview
Swanage St Mark’s Church of England Primary School continues to be a “good school,” described as a “happy, nurturing and vibrant” environment where pupils’ well-being underpins everything. The report highlights that children thrive, particularly in the early years, and that staff provide “exemplary pastoral support” ensuring pupils feel safe and ready to learn.
Strengths
- Pupils behave “exceptionally well,” demonstrating they are “polite, kind and respectful” towards one another and staff.
- The curriculum is “well planned” with clear expectations, enabling pupils to “know more and remember more” through effective teaching strategies.
- The early years provision is identified as a “strength of the school,” with carefully planned activities and highly effective phonics teaching.
- Systems to identify and support pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are “effective,” allowing these children to thrive.
- The school has successfully tackled poor attendance, with “significant improvement” made in this area, contributing to better learning outcomes.
Areas to improve
- The implementation of the curriculum in a few areas is less effective, as activity choices are not always closely matched to intended learning outcomes.
- Challenging reading is not always appropriately scaffolded, meaning pupils do not always learn what has been identified in the curriculum.
- The trust must ensure leadership at all levels can check the effectiveness of the curriculum so all pupils learn what is intended.
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 | 28% |
| 2023/24 | 65% |
| 2024/25 | 43% |
| 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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