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OpenPrimaryOfsted: School remains GoodURN 140771

St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester

Academy converter · Dorchester · DT1 2DD

Ages 2–9 · 177 pupils · Dorset

School website

Ofsted

School remains Good

Overall absence

5.0%

Admissions demand

1.48 · Competitive

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

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Headline

School remains Good

Inspection date

2023-03-01

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Absence

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

Overall absence5.0%
Persistent absence (10%+)13.5%
Unauthorised1.3%
Authorised absence
3.6%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.0%
Enrolments in measure
126

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

1.48 · Competitive

1st preferences

43

Places offered

29

1st-preference offers

29

Total preferences (any rank)
101
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 fill97%

177 pupils · 183 places

Pupils on roll
177
Boys / girls
89 / 88
School capacity
183
Capacity fill
177 / 183 (97%)
Free school meals
5.9%
FSM pupils
9
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
Roman Catholic
Diocese
Diocese of Plymouth
Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: PLYMOUTH CAST
Academy trust
PLYMOUTH CAST
Sponsor
Plymouth CAST
Headteacher
Mr Simon Thomas

Location

Address
Lucetta Lane
Postcode
DT1 2DD
Town
Dorchester
County
Dorset
Local authority
Dorset
District
Dorset
Constituency
West 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 2–9, in Dorchester, Dorset, 177 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: nursery, academy. Free school meals: 5.9%. Religious character: Roman Catholic. Diocese: Diocese of Plymouth.

Open schools in Dorchester
24
Primary schools in Dorchester
16
Academies among open schools in Dorchester
50% (12)
Open schools in DT1
8
Primary in DT1
4
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 DorchesterNear DT1

  • The Prince of Wales School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Community school · Primary

    Dorchester · DT1 2HH · Dorset

    Ages 2–9

    • Absence4.9%
    • FSM10.3%
    • Demand1.41

    1.1 miles away

  • Damers First School

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy converter · Primary

    Dorchester · DT1 3DF · Dorset

    Ages 4–9

    • Absence4.7%
    • FSM19.2%
    • Demand0.93

    1.5 miles away

  • Broadmayne First School

    Ofsted: Good

    Community school · Primary

    Dorchester · DT2 8PH · Dorset

    Ages 4–9

    • Absence5.1%
    • FSM6.5%
    • Demand0.97

    2.8 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Simon Thomas
Telephone
01305262258
Website
http://www.stmarysdorchester.dorset.sch.uk/

Official links