Cheselbourne Village School
Cheselbourne, Dorchester, DT2 7NTOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Cheselbourne Village 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 April 2013.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 25 April 2013, report published 20 May 2013
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 8 March 2023
Pupils are at the heart of this inclusive and caring school. The values of 'respect, challenge and nurture' are central to school life. Leaders have high expectations and are determined that all pupils will succeed. Parents are overwhelmingly positive about the education the school provides. One commented that staff are 'dedicated and enthusiastic and always go above and beyond in creating a fun and nurturing learning environment.' Pupils enjoy coming to school and feel safe. Staff know pupils well. They provide strong pastoral support. Pupils are polite and confident. They understand that they need to 'treat others as they would like to be treated'. Pupils develop positive attitudes to each other and adults. They behave well in lessons and around the school site. Low-level disruption is rare. Pupils understand what bullying is. They are adamant that it does not happen. Pupils know staff would deal with it quickly if it did. Pupils appreciate the wider opportunities the school provides to develop them as individuals. They know how to be physically and mentally healthy. Pupils make the most of the outdoor education provision, as well as the range of clubs and trips that support their learning.
What the school should improve
- In some subjects across the wider curriculum, leaders have not clearly identified the knowledge they want pupils to know and remember. As a result, some pupils have gaps in subject-specific knowledge. Leaders should ensure that all teachers explicitly highlight the knowledge they want pupils to learn so that all pupils know more and remember more over time.
- Governors do not have a detailed understanding of the quality of education pupils receive across some subjects in the wider curriculum. As a result, they do not challenge leaders rigorously enough or with the same consistency as core areas of the curriculum. Governors need to ensure that they gain a clear view of the impact of these subjects on pupils to hold leaders fully to account.
Pupil numbers and mix
49 pupils on roll, with places for 60
Schools near Cheselbourne Village School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milborne St Andrew First School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Piddle Valley Church of England First School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Puddletown Church of England First School | 4 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Not published |
| St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 61% met the expected standard |
| Dunbury Church of England Academy | 5 miles | Ofsted: Good | 45% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Community school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 3 to 9
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mr Christopher Perry
- Phone
- 01258837306
- Address
- Cheselbourne, Dorchester, DT2 7NT
- Local authority
- Dorset
- URN
- 113663
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.