Best Primary Schools in Dorset

We checked all 135 primary schools in Dorset and list every one: 88 ranked, then 47 without a rank.

Schools checked: 135
Ranked: 88
Without a rank: 47

Ranks combine 2024/25 SATs results, worth 60% of each school's score, with the latest Ofsted outcome, worth 40%, as how we rank schools sets out. Rank 1 is the highest score across Dorset, and each school's town is shown. Schools with the same score share a rank. Schools without published results or an Ofsted outcome follow the ranked schools, in name order.

Dorset also has 27 secondary schools, ranked on GCSE results and Ofsted. Every school in the area is also listed with the other schools in Dorset. Dorset also has rankings for Bridport, Dorchester, Shaftesbury, Sherborne, Weymouth and Wimborne.

Ranked primary schools in Dorset

Rank 1
St Ives Primary & Nursery School
Ringwood, Academy, 245 pupils, inspected December 2023
Ofsted: Outstanding
Expected standard
90%
Higher standard
13%
Rank 2
Trent Young's CofE Primary School
Sherborne, Academy, 143 pupils, inspected May 2014
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
95%
Higher standard
9%
Rank 3
Lockyer's Middle School
Wimborne, Academy, 436 pupils, inspected October 2022
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
76%
Higher standard
14%
Rank 4
Spetisbury CofE Primary School
Blandford Forum, Academy, 187 pupils, inspected May 2014
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
77%
Higher standard
15%
Rank 5
Durweston Church of England Primary School
Blandford Forum, Academy, 144 pupils, inspected February 2026
Report card: Strong standard
Expected standard
80%
Higher standard
0%
Rank 6
Motcombe CofE Primary School
Shaftesbury, Academy, 146 pupils, inspected June 2023
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
68%
Higher standard
14%
Rank 7
St Nicholas and St Laurence Church of England Primary School
Weymouth, Academy, 213 pupils, inspected June 2025
Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding
Expected standard
67%
Higher standard
10%
Rank 8
St George's Church of England Primary School, Langton Matravers
Swanage, Academy, 85 pupils, inspected April 2023
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
67%
Higher standard
17%
Rank 9
Allenbourn Middle School
Wimborne, Academy, 499 pupils, inspected January 2025
Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding
Expected standard
68%
Higher standard
8%
Rank 10
Symondsbury Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Bridport, Local authority maintained, 107 pupils, inspected May 2025
Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding
Expected standard
67%
Higher standard
17%
Rank 11
Thorner's Church of England School, Litton Cheney
Dorchester, Local authority maintained, 115 pupils, inspected September 2024
Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good
Expected standard
73%
Higher standard
7%
Rank 12
Shillingstone Church of England Primary School
Blandford Forum, Academy, 103 pupils, inspected October 2023
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
67%
Higher standard
13%
Rank 13
Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School
Dorchester, Academy, 110 pupils, inspected February 2026
Report card: Expected standard
Expected standard
71%
Higher standard
6%
Rank 14
Parrett and Axe Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Beaminster, Local authority maintained, 132 pupils, inspected February 2011
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
71%
Higher standard
14%
Rank 15
St Michael's Church of England Middle School, Colehill
Wimborne, Academy, 563 pupils, inspected January 2018
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
65%
Higher standard
10%
Rank 16
Lytchett Matravers Primary School
Poole, Academy, 484 pupils, inspected June 2023
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
68%
Higher standard
11%
Rank 17
St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School
Gillingham, Academy, 242 pupils, inspected October 2017
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
59%
Higher standard
14%
Rank 18
Burton Bradstock Church of England Voluntary Controlled School
Bridport, Academy, 99 pupils, inspected March 2019
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
64%
Higher standard
18%
Rank 19
Stoborough Church of England Primary School
Wareham, Academy, 195 pupils, inspected June 2013
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
56%
Higher standard
33%
Rank 20
Emmanuel Church of England Middle School
Verwood, Academy, 434 pupils, inspected May 2022
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
65%
Higher standard
10%
Rank 21
Blandford St Mary Church of England Primary School
Blandford Forum, Academy, 208 pupils, inspected May 2019
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
67%
Higher standard
7%
Rank 22
Pimperne Church of England VC Primary School
Blandford Forum, Academy, 183 pupils, inspected November 2014
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
63%
Higher standard
11%
Rank 23
Corfe Castle Church of England Primary School
Wareham, Academy, 87 pupils, inspected November 2023
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
57%
Higher standard
14%
Rank 24
The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury
Shaftesbury, Local authority maintained, 201 pupils, inspected July 2012
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
62%
Higher standard
5%
Rank 25
Stalbridge Church of England Primary School
Stalbridge, Local authority maintained, 188 pupils, inspected September 2012
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
65%
Higher standard
10%
Rank 26
Bovington Academy
Wareham, Academy, 180 pupils, inspected October 2023
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
71%
Higher standard
7%
Rank 26
St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown
Dorchester, Academy, 441 pupils, inspected September 2019
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
61%
Higher standard
11%
Rank 28
Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Dorchester, Local authority maintained, 70 pupils, inspected October 2024
Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding
Expected standard
53%
Higher standard
11%
Rank 29
Archbishop Wake Church of England Primary School
Blandford Forum, Academy, 411 pupils, inspected March 2013
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
64%
Higher standard
9%
Rank 30
Holy Trinity Church of England VC Primary School & Community Nursery
Weymouth, Local authority maintained, 471 pupils, inspected March 2024
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
72%
Higher standard
2%
Rank 31
St Osmund's Church of England Middle School
Dorchester, Academy, 714 pupils, inspected July 2022
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
58%
Higher standard
12%
Rank 32
Portesham Church of England Primary School
Weymouth, Academy, 46 pupils, inspected May 2025
Ofsted judgements: Good
Expected standard
38%
Higher standard
13%
Rank 33
Hazelbury Bryan Primary School
Sturminster Newton, Local authority maintained, 114 pupils, inspected June 2023
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
61%
Higher standard
11%
Rank 34
William Barnes Primary School
Sturminster Newton, Local authority maintained, 162 pupils, inspected July 2013
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
55%
Higher standard
10%
Rank 35
West Moors Middle School
Ferndown, Local authority maintained, 240 pupils, inspected June 2026
Report card: Expected standard to strong standard
Expected standard
49%
Higher standard
16%
Rank 36
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage
Swanage, Academy, 175 pupils, inspected June 2022
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
65%
Higher standard
0%
Rank 37
Cranborne Middle School
Wimborne, Local authority maintained, 265 pupils, inspected June 2019
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
65%
Higher standard
8%
Rank 38
Thornford CofE Primary School
Sherborne, Academy, 104 pupils, inspected November 2024
Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding
Expected standard
53%
Higher standard
7%
Rank 39
Wyke Regis Church of England Junior School
Weymouth, Local authority maintained, 340 pupils, inspected February 2022
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
65%
Higher standard
5%
Rank 40
Radipole Primary School
Weymouth, Local authority maintained, 437 pupils, inspected January 2013
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
60%
Higher standard
6%
Rank 41
Bridport Primary School
Bridport, Academy, 267 pupils, inspected March 2023
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
50%
Higher standard
14%
Rank 42
Salway Ash Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Bridport, Local authority maintained, 109 pupils, inspected September 2023
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
60%
Higher standard
10%
Rank 43
Conifers Primary School
Weymouth, Local authority maintained, 324 pupils, inspected November 2022
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
69%
Higher standard
4%
Rank 44
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Marnhull
Sturminster Newton, Academy, 82 pupils, inspected May 2023
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
67%
Higher standard
0%
Rank 45
Maiden Newton, Greenford Church of England Primary School
Dorchester, Local authority maintained, 137 pupils, inspected March 2024
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
63%
Higher standard
0%
Rank 46
Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary School
Swanage, Academy, 89 pupils, inspected May 2018
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
43%
Higher standard
11%
Rank 47
Beaminster St Mary's Academy
Beaminster, Academy, 140 pupils, inspected May 2023
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
75%
Higher standard
0%
Rank 48
Sandford St Martin's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Wareham, Local authority maintained, 342 pupils, inspected November 2022
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
54%
Higher standard
5%
Rank 49
Sherborne Abbey Church of England Primary School
Sherborne, Academy, 336 pupils, inspected June 2026
Report card: Expected standard to strong standard
Expected standard
48%
Higher standard
8%
Rank 50
Beechcroft St Paul's CofE Primary School
Weymouth, Academy, 189 pupils, inspected February 2024
Ofsted: Requires improvement
Expected standard
61%
Higher standard
10%
Rank 51
Bridport, St Mary's Church of England Primary School
Bridport, Academy, 194 pupils, inspected June 2024
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
52%
Higher standard
8%
Rank 52
Wyke Primary School
Gillingham, Academy, 161 pupils, inspected May 2022
Ofsted: Requires improvement
Expected standard
71%
Higher standard
6%
Rank 53
St Andrew's Church of England Primary School
Weymouth, Academy, 225 pupils, inspected February 2020
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
56%
Higher standard
3%
Rank 54
St George's Church of England School, Bourton
Gillingham, Academy, 142 pupils, inspected May 2025
Ofsted judgements: Good
Expected standard
53%
Higher standard
0%
Rank 55
Loders CofE Primary Academy
Bridport, Academy, 72 pupils, inspected March 2019
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
50%
Higher standard
8%
Rank 56
Bincombe Valley Primary School
Weymouth, Local authority maintained, 291 pupils, inspected February 2026
Report card: Needs attention to expected standard
Expected standard
53%
Higher standard
9%
Rank 57
Dunbury Church of England Academy
Winterborne Whitechurch, Academy, 131 pupils, inspected March 2017
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
45%
Higher standard
9%
Rank 58
St John's Church of England Primary School
Weymouth, Academy, 224 pupils, inspected March 2024
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
43%
Higher standard
7%
Rank 59
Charmouth Primary School
Bridport, Academy, 71 pupils, inspected May 2022
Ofsted: Requires improvement
Expected standard
67%
Higher standard
7%
Rank 60
Chickerell Primary Academy
Weymouth, Academy, 420 pupils, inspected November 2018
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
52%
Higher standard
2%
Rank 61
Dorchester Middle School
Dorchester, Academy, 527 pupils, inspected June 2026
Report card: Needs attention to strong standard
Expected standard
49%
Higher standard
5%
Rank 62
Swanage Primary School
Swanage, Academy, 222 pupils, inspected November 2019
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
47%
Higher standard
3%
Rank 62
Upton Junior School
Poole, Academy, 351 pupils, inspected February 2023
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
47%
Higher standard
2%
Rank 64
Gillingham Primary School
Gillingham, Academy, 233 pupils, inspected January 2026
Report card: Needs attention to expected standard
Expected standard
50%
Higher standard
9%
Rank 65
Milldown CofE Academy
Blandford Forum, Academy, 200 pupils, inspected October 2022
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
48%
Higher standard
3%
Rank 66
Milton-on-Stour Church of England Primary School
Gillingham, Academy, 119 pupils, inspected July 2023
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
39%
Higher standard
6%
Rank 66
St George's Foundation Primary School
Portland, Local authority maintained, 406 pupils, inspected March 2026
Report card: Needs attention to expected standard
Expected standard
46%
Higher standard
4%
Rank 68
Lulworth and Winfrith CofE Primary School
Wareham, Academy, 95 pupils, inspected January 2025
Ofsted judgements: Good
Expected standard
38%
Higher standard
6%
Rank 69
Southill Primary School
Weymouth, Local authority maintained, 212 pupils, inspected October 2022
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
42%
Higher standard
3%
Rank 70
Marshwood CofE Primary Academy
Bridport, Academy, 43 pupils, inspected May 2024
Ofsted: Requires improvement
Expected standard
38%
Higher standard
13%
Rank 71
Ferndown Middle School
Ferndown, Academy, 600 pupils, inspected January 2018
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
45%
Higher standard
1%
Rank 72
Sherborne Primary School
Sherborne, Academy, 304 pupils, inspected January 2026
Report card: Needs attention to expected standard
Expected standard
47%
Higher standard
6%
Rank 73
Wareham St Mary Church of England Primary School
Wareham, Academy, 165 pupils, inspected May 2022
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
50%
Higher standard
0%
Rank 74
Bere Regis Primary and Preschool
Wareham, Academy, 119 pupils, inspected June 2025
Ofsted judgements: Good
Expected standard
45%
Higher standard
0%
Rank 75
Shaftesbury Church of England Primary School
Shaftesbury, Academy, 333 pupils, inspected June 2026
Report card: Needs attention to expected standard
Expected standard
44%
Higher standard
8%
Rank 76
Stower Provost Community School
Gillingham, Local authority maintained, 92 pupils, inspected June 2025
Ofsted judgements: Good
Expected standard
40%
Higher standard
0%
Rank 77
St Augustine's Catholic Primary School, Weymouth
Weymouth, Academy, 201 pupils, inspected March 2024
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
45%
Higher standard
0%
Rank 78
Wool Church of England Primary School
Wareham, Academy, 116 pupils, inspected October 2023
Ofsted: Good
Expected standard
46%
Higher standard
0%
Rank 79
Downlands Community School
Blandford Forum, Local authority maintained, 201 pupils, inspected January 2026
Report card: Needs attention to expected standard
Expected standard
42%
Higher standard
4%
Rank 80
Broadwindsor Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Beaminster, Local authority maintained, 93 pupils, inspected November 2023
Ofsted: Requires improvement
Expected standard
60%
Higher standard
0%
Rank 81
St Michael's CofE Primary School, Lyme Regis
Lyme Regis, Academy, 59 pupils, inspected April 2022
Ofsted: Requires improvement
Expected standard
53%
Higher standard
6%
Rank 82
St Andrew's Church of England Primary School
Sherborne, Academy, 99 pupils, inspected March 2026
Report card: Needs attention to expected standard
Expected standard
31%
Higher standard
6%
Rank 83
St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford Abbas
Sherborne, Academy, 90 pupils, inspected May 2026
Report card: Needs attention to expected standard
Expected standard
44%
Higher standard
0%
Rank 84
St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, Child Okeford
Blandford Forum, Academy, 125 pupils, inspected March 2026
Report card: Urgent improvement to expected standard
Expected standard
43%
Higher standard
0%
Rank 85
St Gregory's Church of England Primary School, Marnhull
Sturminster Newton, Academy, 51 pupils, inspected November 2022
Ofsted: Requires improvement
Expected standard
50%
Higher standard
0%
Rank 86
St Mary & St Joseph's Catholic Primary School
Wareham, Academy, 81 pupils, inspected February 2024
Ofsted: Requires improvement
Expected standard
46%
Higher standard
0%
Rank 87
Powerstock Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Bridport, Local authority maintained, 33 pupils, inspected February 2024
Ofsted: Requires improvement
Expected standard
50%
Higher standard
0%
Rank 88
St Catherine's Roman Catholic School
Bridport, Academy, 100 pupils, inspected January 2026
Report card: Needs attention to expected standard
Expected standard
30%
Higher standard
0%

Primary schools in Dorset without a rank

All Saints Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Sherborne, Academy, 130 pupils, inspected November 2014
Ofsted: Good
Broadmayne First School and Nursery
Dorchester, Local authority maintained, 139 pupils, inspected March 2023
Ofsted: Good
Castle Court School
Corfe Mullen, Independent, 227 pupils
No Ofsted inspection
Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School
Dorchester, Local authority maintained, 77 pupils, inspected July 2023
Ofsted: Good
Cheselbourne Village School
Dorchester, Local authority maintained, 49 pupils, inspected April 2013
Ofsted: Good
Colehill First School
Wimborne, Academy, 148 pupils, inspected March 2023
Ofsted: Good
Cranborne Church of England First School
Wimborne, Academy, 73 pupils, inspected October 2023
Ofsted: Good
Damers First School
Dorchester, Academy, 475 pupils, inspected October 2017
Ofsted: Good
Dumpton School
Wimborne, Independent, 338 pupils
No Ofsted inspection
Ferndown First School
Ferndown, Academy, 348 pupils, inspected September 2010
Ofsted: Good
Frome Valley CofE First School
Dorchester, Academy, 141 pupils, inspected January 2025
Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good
Hampreston Church of England Voluntary Aided First School
Wimborne, Academy, 134 pupils, inspected May 2013
Ofsted: Outstanding
Hanford School
Blandford Forum, Independent, 69 pupils
No Ofsted inspection
Hayeswood First School
Wimborne, Academy, 148 pupils, inspected November 2023
Ofsted: Good
Henbury View First School
Wimborne, Academy, 148 pupils, inspected November 2023
Ofsted: Good
Hillside Community First School
Verwood, Academy, 221 pupils, inspected January 2011
Ofsted: Good
Manor Park Church of England First School
Dorchester, Academy, 396 pupils, inspected January 2026
Report card: Expected standard
Milborne St Andrew First School
Blandford Forum, Academy, 43 pupils, inspected September 2013
Ofsted: Good
Oakhurst Community First School
Ferndown, Academy, 173 pupils, inspected April 2026
Report card: Expected standard
Pamphill Church of England First School
Wimborne, Academy, 67 pupils, inspected September 2023
Ofsted: Good
Parley First School
Ferndown, Academy, 313 pupils, inspected July 2023
Ofsted: Good
Piddle Valley Church of England First School
Dorchester, Academy, 40 pupils, inspected November 2023
Ofsted: Good
Port Regis Preparatory School
Shaftesbury, Independent, 305 pupils
No Ofsted inspection
Puddletown Church of England First School
Dorchester, Academy, 134 pupils, inspected June 2025
Ofsted judgements: Good
Rushcombe First School
Wimborne, Local authority maintained, 313 pupils, inspected November 2022
Ofsted: Outstanding
Sixpenny Handley First School and Nursery
Salisbury, Academy, 73 pupils, inspected November 2014
Ofsted: Good
St Andrew's Church of England Primary School
Shaftesbury, Academy, 101 pupils, inspected September 2024
Ofsted judgements: Good
St James Church of England First School
Wimborne, Academy, 134 pupils, inspected February 2025
Ofsted judgements: Good
St James' Church of England First School and Nursery, Alderholt
Fordingbridge, Academy, 125 pupils, inspected October 2013
Ofsted: Good
St John's Church of England First School, Wimborne
Wimborne, Academy, 148 pupils, inspected January 2023
Ofsted: Good
St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester
Dorchester, Academy, 177 pupils, inspected July 2010
Ofsted: Good
St Mary's Church of England First School, Charminster
Dorchester, Academy, 148 pupils, inspected June 2019
Ofsted: Good
St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery
Ferndown, Academy, 148 pupils, inspected April 2025
Ofsted judgements: Good
Sturminster Marshall First School
Wimborne, Local authority maintained, 49 pupils, inspected June 2025
Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good
Sunninghill Preparatory School
Dorchester, Independent, 167 pupils
No Ofsted inspection
The Prince of Wales School
Dorchester, Local authority maintained, 156 pupils, inspected June 2025
Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding
Thorncombe, St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy
Thorncombe, Academy, 34 pupils, inspected October 2023
Ofsted: Requires improvement
Three Legged Cross First and Nursery School
Wimborne, Academy, 84 pupils, inspected February 2023
Ofsted: Good
Trinity Church of England First School
Verwood, Academy, 128 pupils, inspected March 2025
Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding
Upton Infant School
Poole, Academy, 250 pupils, inspected June 2012
Ofsted: Good
Verwood Church of England First School
Verwood, Academy, 289 pupils, inspected September 2023
Ofsted: Good
Wimborne First School and Nursery
Wimborne, Academy, 400 pupils, inspected July 2024
Ofsted: Good
Wimborne St Giles Church of England First School and Nursery
Wimborne, Academy, 70 pupils, inspected June 2013
Ofsted: Good
Winterbourne Valley Church of England Aided First School
Dorchester, Local authority maintained, 60 pupils, inspected January 2026
Report card: Needs attention to expected standard
Witchampton Church of England First School
Wimborne, Academy, 45 pupils, inspected March 2023
Ofsted: Good
Wyke Regis Infant School and Nursery
Weymouth, Local authority maintained, 220 pupils, inspected January 2016
Ofsted: Good
Yarrells Preparatory School
Poole, Independent, 238 pupils
No Ofsted inspection