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OpenPrimaryOfsted: School remains GoodURN 113850

The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury

Voluntary aided school · Shaftesbury · SP7 8HQ

Ages 4–11 · 201 pupils · Dorset

School website

Ofsted

School remains Good

KS2 expected (RWM)

72%

Overall absence

5.6%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

School remains Good

Inspection date

2023-01-26

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)72%
Higher standard (RWM)4%
Avg scaled score — reading
106.0
Avg scaled score — maths
107.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
104.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence5.6%
Persistent absence (10%+)17.5%
Unauthorised1.0%
Authorised absence
4.5%
Severe absence (50%+)
0.0%
Enrolments in measure
177

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill96%

201 pupils · 210 places

Pupils on roll
201
Boys / girls
101 / 100
School capacity
210
Capacity fill
201 / 210 (96%)
Free school meals
16.9%
FSM pupils
34
Gender
Mixed
School type
Voluntary aided school

Age range

Ages 4–11

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

0 / 6

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

School characteristics

Religious character
Church of England
Diocese
Diocese of Salisbury
Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Voluntary aided school
Headteacher
Mr Michael Salisbury

Location

Address
St James's Street, St James St
Postcode
SP7 8HQ
Town
Shaftesbury
County
Dorset
Local authority
Dorset
District
Dorset
Constituency
North Dorset
Urban/rural
Larger rural: 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 voluntary aided school (primary), Ages 4–11, in Shaftesbury, Dorset, 201 pupils on roll. Free school meals: 16.9%. Religious character: Church of England. Diocese: Diocese of Salisbury.

Open schools in Shaftesbury
9
Primary schools in Shaftesbury
6
Academies among open schools in Shaftesbury
56% (5)
Open schools in SP7
9
Primary in SP7
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 ShaftesburyNear SP7

  • Motcombe CofE Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Shaftesbury · SP7 9NT · Dorset

    Ages 4–11

    • KS250%
    • Absence5.4%
    • FSM16.4%

    1.8 miles away

  • Ludwell Primary School

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Primary

    Shaftesbury · SP7 9ND · Wiltshire

    Ages 4–11

    • KS218%
    • Absence5.3%
    • FSM16.9%

    2.9 miles away

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Michael Salisbury
Telephone
01747852620
Website
www.abbeyschool.org.uk

Official links