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OpenPrimaryOfsted: School remains GoodURN 142506

St James' Church of England First School and Nursery, Alderholt

Academy converter · Fordingbridge · SP6 3AJ

Ages 2–9 · 125 pupils · Dorset

School website

Ofsted

School remains Good

Overall absence

3.9%

Admissions demand

1.00 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

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Headline

School remains Good

Inspection date

2023-05-16

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%+)8.1%
Unauthorised1.4%
Authorised absence
2.5%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.0%
Enrolments in measure
62

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

18

Places offered

18

1st-preference offers

18

Total preferences (any rank)
25
Preferred offers (top 3)
18
Applications from outside LA
4
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 fill69%

125 pupils · 180 places

Pupils on roll
125
Boys / girls
56 / 69
School capacity
180
Capacity fill
125 / 180 (69%)
Free school meals
6.4%
FSM pupils
8
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 2–9

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

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

School characteristics

Religious character
Church of England
Diocese
Diocese of Salisbury
Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: THE HEATH ACADEMY TRUST
Academy trust
THE HEATH ACADEMY TRUST
Headteacher
Headteacher Jo Hudson

Location

Address
Park Lane, Alderholt
Postcode
SP6 3AJ
Town
Fordingbridge
County
Hampshire
Local authority
Dorset
District
Dorset
Constituency
North Dorset
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 2–9, in Fordingbridge, Dorset, 125 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: nursery, academy. Free school meals: 6.4%. Religious character: Church of England. Diocese: Diocese of Salisbury.

Open schools in Fordingbridge
9
Primary schools in Fordingbridge
7
Academies among open schools in Fordingbridge
22% (2)
Open schools in SP6
9
Primary in SP6
7
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 FordingbridgeNear SP6

  • Fordingbridge Junior School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Fordingbridge · SP6 1HJ · Hampshire

    Ages 7–11

    • KS260%
    • Absence4.0%
    • FSM20.7%

    2.5 miles away

  • Fordingbridge Infant School

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Community school · Primary

    Fordingbridge · SP6 1HJ · Hampshire

    Ages 4–7

    • Absence4.8%
    • FSM15.0%
    • Demand0.97

    2.5 miles away

  • Hillside Community First School

    Ofsted: School remains Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Verwood · BH31 7HE · Dorset

    Ages 4–9

    • Absence5.3%
    • FSM15.8%
    • Demand1.00

    2.8 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Headteacher Jo Hudson
Telephone
01425653063
Website
www.alderholt.dorset.sch.uk/

Official links