The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury

Primary
Local authority maintained
Ages 4 to 11

Ofsted: Good

St James's Street, St James St, Shaftesbury, SP7 8HQOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury is a primary school in Shaftesbury for ages 4 to 11. It is one of the 179 schools in Dorset. It ranks 2nd of 5 primary schools in Shaftesbury. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in July 2012.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 5 July 2012, report published 7 September 2012

Overall effectiveness: Good
Leadership and management: Good

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)

Exam results

SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25

21 pupils took the tests

Expected standard in reading, writing and maths62%

62%, the same as the England average.

Higher standard in reading, writing and maths5%

5%, 3 percentage points below the England average of 8%.

Reading, average scaled score108

108, 2 above the England average of 106.

Maths, average scaled score106

106, 1 above the England average of 105.

Grammar, punctuation and spelling, average scaled score107

107, 2 above the England average of 105.

Pupil numbers and mix

201 pupils on roll, with places for 210

Eligible for free school meals16.9%

16.9%, 9.6 percentage points below the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language5%

5%, 16.6 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support14.9%

14.9%, 0.1 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan4%

4%, 2 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury

School	Distance	Ofsted	Results
Shaftesbury Church of England Primary School	1 mile	Report card: Needs attention to expected standard	44% met the expected standard
Port Regis Preparatory School	1 mile	No Ofsted inspection	Not published
Motcombe CofE Primary School	2 miles	Ofsted: Good	68% met the expected standard
Ludwell Primary School	3 miles	Ofsted: Good	35% met the expected standard
St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School	3 miles	Ofsted: Good	59% met the expected standard

School details

School type: Voluntary aided school
Sector: Local authority maintained
Age range: 4 to 11
Gender: Mixed
Religious character: Church of England
Nursery classes: No
Headteacher: Mr Michael Salisbury
Phone: 01747852620
Website: abbeyschool.org.uk (opens in a new tab)
Address: St James's Street, St James St, Shaftesbury, SP7 8HQ
Local authority: Dorset
URN: 113850

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.