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OpenPrimaryOfsted: GoodURN 141794

Merley First School

Academy converter · Wimborne · BH21 1SD

Ages 5–9 · 292 pupils · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

School website

Ofsted

Good

Overall absence

3.9%

Admissions demand

0.98 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

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Headline

Good

Inspection date

2023-11-29

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Absence

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

Overall absence3.9%
Persistent absence (10%+)5.5%
Unauthorised0.8%
Authorised absence
3.1%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.0%
Enrolments in measure
238

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

0.98 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

53

Places offered

55

1st-preference offers

53

Total preferences (any rank)
87
Preferred offers (top 3)
55
Applications from outside LA
3
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 fill97%

292 pupils · 300 places

Pupils on roll
292
Boys / girls
150 / 142
School capacity
300
Capacity fill
292 / 300 (97%)
Free school meals
9.9%
FSM pupils
29
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 5–9

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
Mrs Rebecca Baldwin

Location

Address
Oakley Straight, Merley
Postcode
BH21 1SD
Town
Wimborne
County
Dorset
Local authority
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
District
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Constituency
Mid Dorset and North Poole
Urban/rural
Larger 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 academy converter (primary), Ages 5–9, in Wimborne, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, 292 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy. Free school meals: 9.9%.

Open schools in Wimborne
26
Primary schools in Wimborne
15
Academies among open schools in Wimborne
65% (17)
Open schools in BH21
28
Primary in BH21
15
Open schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole LA
117
Primary in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole LA
66

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 WimborneNear BH21

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Rebecca Baldwin
Telephone
01202888455
Website
www.merleyfirstschool.com/

Official links