Piddle Valley Church of England First School
Piddletrenthide, Dorchester, DT2 7QLOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Piddle Valley Church of England First School is a primary school in Dorchester for ages 2 to 9. It is one of the 179 schools in Dorset. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2023.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 22 November 2023, report published 15 January 2024
- 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 22 November 2023
Children thrive from the moment they arrive in Nursery. Pupils go on to achieve well. Staff know pupils individually. They link learning to pupils' interests and build on what they already know, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). As a result, pupils love learning at this friendly village school. Staff expect the best for pupils. Pupils respond positively. They know that they are cared for. Occasionally, some pupils need reminding to do their best. Pupils rightly say that everyone looks out for one another. They share break times together well, often sorting out any problems independently. Consequently, pupils enjoy their play and social times. Pupils feel happy and safe at school. They know how to keep themselves safe and who they can talk to if they are worried about something. Pupils rightly say that bullying is not an issue. Some parts of the community are less confident, because of historical weaknesses in the school's engagement with them. However, new leaders and the trust have already raised expectations and pupils are responding. Piddle Valley is a harmonious place, where pupils' experiences reflect the school's values of 'living, growing, loving and learning'.
What the school should improve
- Improvements to the curriculum are settling in. There is some variation in how well these improvements are implemented. Historic weaknesses in the curriculum mean that pupils have some gaps in their learning. The trust and the school should continue to strengthen the implementation of the curriculum, so that pupils achieve well across all subjects.
- New leaders are engaging more effectively with the community. However, some parents still lack faith in the school because of a long period of poor engagement and communication in the past. The school should continue to strengthen how they work with the community to establish effective collaboration for the future.
Pupil numbers and mix
40 pupils on roll, with places for 115
Schools near Piddle Valley Church of England First School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Cheselbourne Village School | 3 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School | 4 miles | Report card: Expected standard | 71% met the expected standard |
| St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown | 4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 61% met the expected standard |
| St Mary's Church of England First School, Charminster | 5 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Academy converter
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- WESSEX MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 2 to 9
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Church of England
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Jemma Moore
- Phone
- 01300348219
- Address
- Piddletrenthide, Dorchester, DT2 7QL
- Local authority
- Dorset
- URN
- 141804
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.