Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School
Duck Street, Cerne Abbas, Dorchester, DT2 7LAOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School is a primary school in Dorchester for ages 3 to 9. It is one of the 179 schools in Dorset. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in July 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 12 July 2023, report published 25 September 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 12 July 2023
Pupils at Cerne Abbas First school are happy and safe. They enjoy coming to school and most have high attendance. Parents speak of the 'warm, friendly and approachable' staff and atmosphere. Staff have high expectations, which pupils strive to meet. Pupils know how the school values apply to their own lives and actions. They know how they should treat others and how they should behave. This knowledge helps them to develop their character and make positive choices about their behaviour. Leaders have ensured that there are strong links to the local community. For example, pupils learned much from interviewing former pupils of the school to find out about how the community has changed over time. Experiences such as the many trips and community events that pupils take part in mean that they thrive and flourish at the school. Pupils understand what it means to be an active citizen, as well as the value of being one. They are proud of the support that they provide to children in other countries through their fundraising.
What the school should improve
- Sometimes, the learning activities that pupils complete lack precision. This means that they do not always deepen pupils' knowledge and understanding effectively. Leaders need to ensure that activities reflect the curriculum's intention so that all pupils learn and achieve well.
- The work that pupils produce, particularly in writing, is not always of high quality. Consequently, they do not demonstrate all that they know and can do. Leaders need to ensure that pupils' work reflects the ambitious curriculum that they learn.
Pupil numbers and mix
77 pupils on roll, with places for 75
Schools near Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piddle Valley Church of England First School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School | 3 miles | Report card: Expected standard | 71% met the expected standard |
| Maiden Newton, Greenford Church of England Primary School | 5 miles | Ofsted: Good | 63% met the expected standard |
| St Mary's Church of England First School, Charminster | 5 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School | 6 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | 53% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary controlled school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 3 to 9
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Catherine Cresswell
- Phone
- 01300341319
- Address
- Duck Street, Cerne Abbas, Dorchester, DT2 7LA
- Local authority
- Dorset
- URN
- 113759
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.