Academy converter · Primary
Wimborne · BH21 1BX · Dorset
Ages 5–9
Status: Open
1.0 miles away
OpenPrimaryURN 141794
Merley First School
Academy converter · Wimborne · BH21 1SD
Phase
Primary
Age range
Ages 5–9
Pupils
292
Local authority
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Age range
Ages 5–9
05111619
Provision snapshot
Based on official GIAS characteristics
1 / 6
- NurseryNo Nursery Classes
- Sixth formDoes not have a sixth form
- BoardingNo boarders
- Special school
- Independent
- Academy
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%.
Nearby primary schools
Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.
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Academy converter · Primary
Wimborne · BH21 4FW · Dorset
Ages 2–9
Status: Open
1.4 miles away
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Academy converter · Primary
Wimborne · BH21 2HN · Dorset
Ages 5–9
Status: Open
1.7 miles away
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Academy converter · Primary
Broadstone · BH18 8AA · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Ages 4–9
Status: Open
1.8 miles away
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Academy converter · Primary
Wimborne · BH21 2LZ · Dorset
Ages 5–9
Status: Open
1.9 miles away
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Academy converter · Primary
Bournemouth · BH11 9UN · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Ages 2–11
Status: Open
1.9 miles away
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Academy sponsor led · Primary
Wimborne · BH21 4EE · Dorset
Ages 5–9
Status: Open
2.1 miles away
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Academy converter · Primary
Wimborne · BH21 7LX · Dorset
Ages 5–9
Status: Open
2.1 miles away
Overview
- School type
- Academy converter
- Phase
- Primary
- Age range
- 5–9
- Gender
- Mixed
- Status
- Open
- URN
- 141794
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
Size & intake
Pupil numbers and free school meals come from the GIAS school census fields. Capacity fill is calculated when both pupils and capacity are published. Census date: 15 Jan 2026.
- 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 characteristics
- Nursery provision
- No Nursery Classes
- Sixth form
- Does not have a sixth form
- Boarding
- No boarders
- Special classes
- No Special Classes
- Governance
- Academy trust: INITIO LEARNING TRUST
- Academy trust
- INITIO LEARNING TRUST
- Sponsor
- Wimborne Academy Trust
Contact
- Headteacher
- Mrs Rebecca Baldwin
- Telephone
- 01202888455
Official links
Ofsted
Latest inspection outcomes from Ofsted monthly management information. Report-card grades use the current framework where published; older OEIF grades are shown when that is the latest graded inspection.
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