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OpenPrimaryOfsted: School remains GoodURN 147145

St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School

Academy converter · Gillingham · SP8 4GG

Ages 2–11 · 242 pupils · Dorset

School website

Ofsted

School remains Good

KS2 expected (RWM)

74%

Overall absence

4.5%

Admissions demand

0.97 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

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Headline

School remains Good

Inspection date

2023-03-19

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)74%
Higher standard (RWM)10%
Avg scaled score — reading
107.0
Avg scaled score — maths
107.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
108.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence4.5%
Persistent absence (10%+)9.7%
Unauthorised0.9%
Authorised absence
3.6%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.0%
Enrolments in measure
176

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

0.97 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

28

Places offered

29

1st-preference offers

28

Total preferences (any rank)
47
Preferred offers (top 3)
29
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 fill99%

242 pupils · 244 places

Pupils on roll
242
Boys / girls
115 / 127
School capacity
244
Capacity fill
242 / 244 (99%)
Free school meals
11.7%
FSM pupils
24
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 2–11

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
Governance
Academy trust: SHERBORNE AREA SCHOOLS' TRUST
Academy trust
SHERBORNE AREA SCHOOLS' TRUST
Headteacher
Mr Matthew Barge

Location

Address
Pheasant Way
Postcode
SP8 4GG
Town
Gillingham
Local authority
Dorset
District
Dorset
Constituency
North Dorset
Urban/rural
Urban: Further from 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 2–11, in Gillingham, Dorset, 242 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: nursery, academy. Free school meals: 11.7%. Religious character: Church of England. Diocese: Diocese of Salisbury.

Open schools in Gillingham
43
Primary schools in Gillingham
30
Academies among open schools in Gillingham
70% (30)
Open schools in SP8
7
Primary in SP8
6
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 GillinghamNear SP8

  • Gillingham Primary School

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Academy converter · Primary

    Gillingham · SP8 4QR · Dorset

    Ages 4–11

    • KS239%
    • Absence5.0%
    • FSM25.0%
    • Demand1.00

    0.8 miles away

  • Wyke Primary School

    Ofsted: Requires improvement

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Gillingham · SP8 4SH · Dorset

    Ages 4–11

    • Absence5.6%
    • FSM18.0%
    • Demand1.00

    1.4 miles away

  • Motcombe CofE Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Shaftesbury · SP7 9NT · Dorset

    Ages 4–11

    • KS232%
    • Absence5.4%
    • FSM16.4%
    • Demand1.00

    1.8 miles away

  • Stower Provost Community School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Community school · Primary

    Gillingham · SP8 5LX · Dorset

    Ages 4–11

    • KS250%
    • Absence3.5%
    • FSM13.0%
    • Demand1.00

    2.6 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Matthew Barge
Telephone
01747824446
Website
www.stmarygillingham.dorset.sch.uk/

Official links