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OpenPrimaryOfsted: School remains GoodURN 146690

Hillside Community First School

Academy converter · Verwood · BH31 7HE

Ages 4–9 · 221 pupils · Dorset

School website

Ofsted

School remains Good

Overall absence

5.3%

Admissions demand

1.00 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

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Headline

School remains Good

Inspection date

2023-06-27

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Absence

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

Overall absence5.3%
Persistent absence (10%+)13.9%
Unauthorised1.6%
Authorised absence
3.7%
Severe absence (50%+)
1.2%
Enrolments in measure
173

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

44

Places offered

44

1st-preference offers

44

Total preferences (any rank)
80
Preferred offers (top 3)
44
Applications from outside LA
2
Offers to outside-LA applicants
2

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 fill92%

221 pupils · 240 places

Pupils on roll
221
Boys / girls
115 / 106
School capacity
240
Capacity fill
221 / 240 (92%)
Free school meals
15.8%
FSM pupils
35
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 4–9

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

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

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: INITIO LEARNING TRUST
Academy trust
INITIO LEARNING TRUST
Sponsor
Wimborne Academy Trust
Headteacher
Mr David Graves

Location

Address
Hillside Road
Postcode
BH31 7HE
Town
Verwood
County
Dorset
Local authority
Dorset
District
Dorset
Constituency
North Dorset
Urban/rural
Urban: 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 academy converter (primary), Ages 4–9, in Verwood, Dorset, 221 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy. Free school meals: 15.8%.

Open schools in Verwood
4
Primary schools in Verwood
3
Academies among open schools in Verwood
100% (4)
Open schools in BH31
4
Primary in BH31
3
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 VerwoodNear BH31

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mr David Graves
Telephone
01202822737
Website
http://www.hillsidefirstschool.org

Official links