Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 21 January 2025
St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown's catchment area comes from its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, which decide who is offered a place when more children apply than there are places. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance from home or a catchment boundary, and the school's admissions policy says which it uses. As a Church of England school, it can give priority to children on grounds of faith. Living nearby does not guarantee a place, and how far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown is in Dorset council's area. Check its admissions booklet for how far away places went in recent years.
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Ofsted’s survey of parents at this school
86%
of parents would recommend this school to another parent
159 responses up to 1 September 2025 · 36% response rate
My child is happy at this school.
84% agreeMy child feels safe at this school.
89% agreeThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
81% agreeMy child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.
54% agreeThe school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.
77% agreeSt Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown's last overall grade from Ofsted was Good, on 18 September 2019. Ofsted inspected it again on 21 January 2025 without giving an overall grade, as single-word grades ended in September 2024.
St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown's catchment area comes from its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, which decide who is offered a place when more children apply than there are places. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance from home or a catchment boundary, and the school's admissions policy says which it uses. As a Church of England school, it can give priority to children on grounds of faith. Living nearby does not guarantee a place, and how far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown had 445 pupils aged 9 to 13 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 480. It is a mixed school.
Academy converter
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