St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester

Previous inspections

• 25 January 2017Short inspection
  Report
• 3 April 2014Academy conversion letter
  Report

Pupils

Pupils

174

Capacity

183

Girls / boys

55% / 45%

Free school meals

8%

Staff

Teachers (FTE)

7.2

Teaching assistants (FTE)

5.2

Leadership (FTE)

1.8

Part-time teachers

56%

School workforce census, 2025/26.

What is St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted last inspected St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester on 10 January 2023 and did not give an overall grade.

How do I apply for a place at St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester?

Apply through the council where you live by 15 January for a Reception place starting that September. Children start Reception in the September after their fourth birthday. You can usually list between 3 and 6 schools in order of preference, and offers are sent on 16 April, or the next working day. A place in its nursery class does not carry on into Reception, so you still need to apply. As a Roman Catholic school it may also ask for a supplementary form, and its admissions policy says whether it does.

Does living near St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester guarantee a place?

No. Distance only counts when St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester has more applicants than places. Then its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, decide who is offered a place first. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance or a catchment area. As a Roman Catholic school, it can give priority to children on grounds of faith. How far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.

How many pupils are at St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester?

St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester had 174 pupils aged 2 to 9 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 183. It is a mixed school.