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OpenPrimaryOfsted: Needs attentionURN 113659

Downlands Community School

Community school · Blandford Forum · DT11 8BG

Ages 3–11 · 201 pupils · Dorset

School website

Ofsted

Needs attention

KS2 expected (RWM)

42%

Overall absence

4.4%

Admissions demand

1.00 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Needs attention

Inspection date

2026-01-13

  • AchievementNeeds attention
  • Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
  • InclusionExpected standard
  • Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
  • Leadership and governanceNeeds attention

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 2 (2023/24)

Expected standard (RWM)42%
Higher standard (RWM)3%
Avg scaled score — reading
104.0
Avg scaled score — maths
103.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
104.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence4.4%
Persistent absence (10%+)11.2%
Unauthorised0.5%
Authorised absence
3.9%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.0%
Enrolments in measure
214

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for primary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

1.00 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

32

Places offered

32

1st-preference offers

32

Total preferences (any rank)
33
Preferred offers (top 3)
32
Applications from outside LA
0
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill48%

201 pupils · 420 places

Pupils on roll
201
Boys / girls
91 / 110
School capacity
420
Capacity fill
201 / 420 (48%)
Free school meals
4.7%
FSM pupils
9
Gender
Mixed
School type
Community school

Age range

Ages 3–11

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • NurseryHas Nursery Classes
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Community school
Headteacher
Mr James Rielly

Location

Address
Blandford Camp
Postcode
DT11 8BG
Town
Blandford Forum
County
Dorset
Local authority
Dorset
District
Dorset
Constituency
North Dorset
Urban/rural
Smaller rural: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed community school (primary), Ages 3–11, in Blandford Forum, Dorset, 201 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: nursery. Free school meals: 4.7%.

Open schools in Blandford Forum
18
Primary schools in Blandford Forum
10
Academies among open schools in Blandford Forum
50% (9)
Open schools in DT11
19
Primary in DT11
11
Open schools in Dorset LA
184
Primary in Dorset LA
119

Nearby primary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in Blandford ForumNear DT11

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mr James Rielly
Telephone
01258453348
Website
www.downlandsschool.org

Official links