Cranborne Church of England First School
Water Street, Cranborne, Wimborne, BH21 5QBOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Cranborne Church of England First School is a primary school in Wimborne for ages 2 to 9. It is one of the 179 schools in Dorset. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in October 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 12 October 2023, report published 4 December 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 12 October 2023
Pupils are happy and safe. They enjoy warm relationships with each other and with staff. Pupils are polite and know the school's distinctive values 'love, learn, fly' well. They enjoy earning 'star' awards when they demonstrate these values. Parents and carers speak highly of the care and support that their children receive. The youngest children get off to a flying start. Staff know their needs exceptionally well and are highly ambitious for their learning. Children gain a strong foundation in reading, writing and cooperating with each other. Consequently, they are very well prepared for Year 1. The school has high expectations of pupils' behaviour and achievement. Most pupils conduct themselves well and have positive attitudes to learning. However, on some occasions, a small minority of older pupils do not live up to the school's expectations. This hinders their learning and sometimes that of others. Pupils benefit from a range of extra-curricular opportunities. For example, they enjoy visits to local museums, singing in the choir and sports activities, such as skipping. Some pupils have responsibilities on the school's different 'councils', while others lend a hand in collective worship and in their classrooms.
What the school should improve
- In some subjects, assessment is not used effectively. Pupils sometimes do not have the secure prior knowledge they need to help them to move confidently on to new concepts and ideas. The school and trust should ensure that assessment is used to inform teaching so that gaps in pupils' learning are identified and remedied.
- A small minority of older pupils do not follow routines well. This hinders their own learning and sometimes disrupts the learning of others. The school and trust should ensure that high expectations are insisted on by all staff so that all pupils behave well and are committed to their learning.
Pupil numbers and mix
73 pupils on roll, with places for 140
Schools near Cranborne Church of England First School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cranborne Middle School | 0.2 miles | Ofsted: Good | 65% met the expected standard |
| Wimborne St Giles Church of England First School and Nursery | 2 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Trinity Church of England First School | 3 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good to outstanding | Not published |
| Hillside Community First School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Emmanuel Church of England Middle School | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 65% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- DIOCESE OF SALISBURY ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 2 to 9
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Annette Faithfull
- Phone
- 01725517439
- Address
- Water Street, Cranborne, Wimborne, BH21 5QB
- Local authority
- Dorset
- URN
- 148301
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.