Dorset primary schools league table 2025
Primary, infant, junior and all-through schools teaching Key Stages 1 and 2. Ranked by the Success Index (England) from official English data; 100 schools in Dorset, South West. Rank positions shown on each profile are within England and South West.
- 196St James Church of England First SchoolWimborne · Academy Primary– · 134 students
- 294Cerne Abbas CofE VC First SchoolDorchester · Local authority Primary– · 77 students
- 393St Mary's Catholic First School, DorchesterDorchester · Academy Primary– · 177 students
- 492St James' Church of England First School and Nursery, AlderholtFordingbridge · Academy Primary– · 125 students
- 592Broadmayne First School and NurseryDorchester · Local authority Primary– · 139 students
- 691St Ives Primary & Nursery SchoolRingwood · Academy Primary90% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 245 students
- 789Rushcombe First SchoolWimborne · Local authority Primary– · 313 students
- 889Hayeswood First SchoolWimborne · Academy Primary– · 148 students
- 988Sixpenny Handley First School and NurserySalisbury · Academy Primary– · 73 students
- 1087Trent Young's CofE Primary SchoolSherborne · Academy Primary95% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 143 students
- 1185Henbury View First SchoolWimborne · Academy Primary– · 148 students
- 1284Pamphill Church of England First SchoolWimborne · Academy Primary– · 67 students
- 1384Puddletown Church of England First SchoolDorchester · Academy Primary– · 134 students
- 1483Colehill First SchoolWimborne · Academy Primary– · 148 students
- 1583St Mary's Church of England First School, CharminsterDorchester · Academy Primary– · 148 students
- 1682Wimborne St Giles Church of England First School and NurseryWimborne · Academy Primary– · 70 students
- 1780Spetisbury CofE Primary SchoolBlandford Forum · Academy Primary77% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 187 students
- 1880The Prince of Wales SchoolDorchester · Local authority Primary– · 156 students
- 1976Parley First SchoolFerndown · Academy Primary– · 313 students
- 2075Hampreston Church of England Voluntary Aided First SchoolWimborne · Academy Primary– · 134 students
- 2174Verwood Church of England First SchoolVerwood · Academy Primary– · 289 students
- 2273Trinity Church of England First SchoolVerwood · Academy Primary– · 128 students
- 2372Wimborne First School and NurseryWimborne · Academy Primary– · 400 students
- 2471Winterbourne Valley Church of England Aided First SchoolDorchester · Local authority Primary– · 60 students
- 2569Burton Bradstock Church of England Voluntary Controlled SchoolBridport · Academy Primary64% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 99 students
- 2668Lytchett Matravers Primary SchoolPoole · Academy Primary68% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 484 students
- 2768Parrett and Axe Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolBeaminster · Local authority Primary71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 132 students
- 2868Symondsbury Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolBridport · Local authority Primary67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 107 students
- 2967Thorner's Church of England School, Litton CheneyDorchester · Local authority Primary73% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 115 students
- 3066Motcombe CofE Primary SchoolShaftesbury · Academy Primary68% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 146 students
- 3166St George's Church of England Primary School, Langton MatraversSwanage · Academy Primary67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 85 students
- 3265Durweston Church of England Primary SchoolBlandford Forum · Academy Primary80% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 144 students
- 3363Hillside Community First SchoolVerwood · Academy Primary– · 221 students
- 3462Stoborough Church of England Primary SchoolWareham · Academy Primary56% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 195 students
- 3561St Mary's CofE First School & NurseryFerndown · Academy Primary– · 148 students
- 3661Cranborne Church of England First SchoolWimborne · Academy Primary– · 73 students
- 3761Buckland Newton Church of England Primary SchoolDorchester · Academy Primary71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 110 students
- 3860Bovington AcademyWareham · Academy Primary71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 180 students
- 3959St Nicholas and St Laurence Church of England Primary SchoolWeymouth · Academy Primary67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 213 students
- 4059Wyke Primary SchoolGillingham · Academy Primary71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 161 students
- 4159Shillingstone Church of England Primary SchoolBlandford Forum · Academy Primary67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 103 students
- 4258Pimperne Church of England VC Primary SchoolBlandford Forum · Academy Primary63% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 183 students
- 4358St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary SchoolGillingham · Academy Primary59% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 242 students
- 4457St Andrew's Church of England Primary SchoolShaftesbury · Academy Primary– · 101 students
- 4555Ferndown First SchoolFerndown · Academy Primary– · 348 students
- 4655Salway Ash Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolBridport · Local authority Primary60% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 109 students
- 4754Stalbridge Church of England Primary SchoolStalbridge · Local authority Primary65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 188 students
- 4854Three Legged Cross First and Nursery SchoolWimborne · Academy Primary– · 84 students
- 4954Damers First SchoolDorchester · Academy Primary– · 475 students
- 5054Upton Infant SchoolPoole · Academy Primary– · 250 students
- 5152Manor Park Church of England First SchoolDorchester · Academy Primary– · 396 students
- 5252Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolDorchester · Local authority Primary53% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 70 students
- 5352Hazelbury Bryan Primary SchoolSturminster Newton · Local authority Primary61% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 114 students
- 5451Blandford St Mary Church of England Primary SchoolBlandford Forum · Academy Primary67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 208 students
- 5550Archbishop Wake Church of England Primary SchoolBlandford Forum · Academy Primary64% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 411 students
- 5650Oakhurst Community First SchoolFerndown · Academy Primary– · 173 students
- 5748Charmouth Primary SchoolBridport · Academy Primary67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 71 students
- 5848Holy Trinity Church of England VC Primary School & Community NurseryWeymouth · Local authority Primary72% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 471 students
- 5948Beaminster St Mary's AcademyBeaminster · Academy Primary75% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 140 students
- 6048Corfe Castle Church of England Primary SchoolWareham · Academy Primary57% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 87 students
- 6148Radipole Primary SchoolWeymouth · Local authority Primary60% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 437 students
- 6247Frome Valley CofE First SchoolDorchester · Academy Primary– · 141 students
- 6347Conifers Primary SchoolWeymouth · Local authority Primary69% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 324 students
- 6446All Saints Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolSherborne · Academy Primary– · 130 students
- 6546St John's Church of England First School, WimborneWimborne · Academy Primary– · 148 students
- 6646St Mary's Catholic Primary School, MarnhullSturminster Newton · Academy Primary67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 82 students
- 6746The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, ShaftesburyShaftesbury · Local authority Primary62% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 201 students
- 6845Thornford CofE Primary SchoolSherborne · Academy Primary53% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 104 students
- 6945Wyke Regis Infant School and NurseryWeymouth · Local authority Primary– · 220 students
- 7043Wyke Regis Church of England Junior SchoolWeymouth · Local authority Primary65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 340 students
- 7142Bridport Primary SchoolBridport · Academy Primary50% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 267 students
- 7241Beechcroft St Paul's CofE Primary SchoolWeymouth · Academy Primary61% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 189 students
- 7341St Mary's Catholic Primary School, SwanageSwanage · Academy Primary65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 175 students
- 7441William Barnes Primary SchoolSturminster Newton · Local authority Primary55% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 162 students
- 7540Loders CofE Primary AcademyBridport · Academy Primary50% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 72 students
- 7640Dunbury Church of England AcademyWinterborne Whitechurch · Academy Primary45% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 131 students
- 7738Sandford St Martin's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolWareham · Local authority Primary54% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 342 students
- 7838Broadwindsor Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolBeaminster · Local authority Primary60% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 93 students
- 7937Maiden Newton, Greenford Church of England Primary SchoolDorchester · Local authority Primary63% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 137 students
- 8036Atlantic Academy PortlandPortland · Academy All-through34.0 Attainment 8 · 769 students
- 8135Gillingham Primary SchoolGillingham · Academy Primary50% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 233 students
- 8235Downlands Community SchoolBlandford Forum · Local authority Primary42% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 201 students
- 8334Bridport, St Mary's Church of England Primary SchoolBridport · Academy Primary52% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 194 students
- 8433St George's Church of England School, BourtonGillingham · Academy Primary53% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 142 students
- 8533Milton-on-Stour Church of England Primary SchoolGillingham · Academy Primary39% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 119 students
- 8633Sherborne Abbey Church of England Primary SchoolSherborne · Academy Primary48% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 336 students
- 8733St Andrew's Church of England Primary SchoolWeymouth · Academy Primary56% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 225 students
- 8832Sherborne Primary SchoolSherborne · Academy Primary47% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 304 students
- 8932Bincombe Valley Primary SchoolWeymouth · Local authority Primary53% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 291 students
- 9031Shaftesbury Church of England Primary SchoolShaftesbury · Academy Primary44% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 333 students
- 9131Leweston SchoolSherborne · Independent All-through40.8 Attainment 8 · 577 students
- 9228Swanage Primary SchoolSwanage · Academy Primary47% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 222 students
- 9328St John's Church of England Primary SchoolWeymouth · Academy Primary43% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 224 students
- 9427Chickerell Primary AcademyWeymouth · Academy Primary52% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 420 students
- 9527Southill Primary SchoolWeymouth · Local authority Primary42% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 212 students
- 9627Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary SchoolSwanage · Academy Primary43% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 89 students
- 9727Lulworth and Winfrith CofE Primary SchoolWareham · Academy Primary38% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 95 students
- 9827St Andrew's Church of England Primary SchoolSherborne · Academy Primary31% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 99 students
- 9926St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford AbbasSherborne · Academy Primary44% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 90 students
- 10026Milldown CofE AcademyBlandford Forum · Academy Primary48% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 200 students
| # | School | Sector | Success Index (England) | Key result | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St James Church of England First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 95.9 Top 5% | – | 134 |
| 2 | Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 3–9 | Local authority | 93.7 Top 5% | – | 77 |
| 3 | St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester Dorchester · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 93.2 Top 5% | – | 177 |
| 4 | St James' Church of England First School and Nursery, Alderholt Fordingbridge · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 91.9 Top 5% | – | 125 |
| 5 | Broadmayne First School and Nursery Dorchester · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Local authority | 91.7 Top 5% | – | 139 |
| 6 | St Ives Primary & Nursery School Ringwood · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 91.2 Top 5% | 90% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 245 |
| 7 | Rushcombe First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Local authority | 89.4 Top 10% | – | 313 |
| 8 | Hayeswood First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 89.2 Top 10% | – | 148 |
| 9 | Sixpenny Handley First School and Nursery Salisbury · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 88.3 Top 10% | – | 73 |
| 10 | Trent Young's CofE Primary School Sherborne · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 87.2 Top 10% | 95% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 143 |
| 11 | Henbury View First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 84.9 Top 10% | – | 148 |
| 12 | Pamphill Church of England First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 84.3 Top 25% | – | 67 |
| 13 | Puddletown Church of England First School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 84.3 Top 25% | – | 134 |
| 14 | Colehill First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 82.8 Top 25% | – | 148 |
| 15 | St Mary's Church of England First School, Charminster Dorchester · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 82.8 Top 25% | – | 148 |
| 16 | Wimborne St Giles Church of England First School and Nursery Wimborne · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 82.1 Top 25% | – | 70 |
| 17 | Spetisbury CofE Primary School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 80.3 Top 25% | 77% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 187 |
| 18 | The Prince of Wales School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Local authority | 80.1 Top 25% | – | 156 |
| 19 | Parley First School Ferndown · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 76.4 Top 25% | – | 313 |
| 20 | Hampreston Church of England Voluntary Aided First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 75.0 Top 25% | – | 134 |
| 21 | Verwood Church of England First School Verwood · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 74.1 Top 25% | – | 289 |
| 22 | Trinity Church of England First School Verwood · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 73.2 Top 25% | – | 128 |
| 23 | Wimborne First School and Nursery Wimborne · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 71.8 Top 25% | – | 400 |
| 24 | Winterbourne Valley Church of England Aided First School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 3–9 | Local authority | 70.6 Top 25% | – | 60 |
| 25 | Burton Bradstock Church of England Voluntary Controlled School Bridport · Primary · Ages 3–11 | Academy | 68.5 Top 50% | 64% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 99 |
| 26 | Lytchett Matravers Primary School Poole · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 68.1 Top 50% | 68% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 484 |
| 27 | Parrett and Axe Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Beaminster · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 67.9 Top 50% | 71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 132 |
| 28 | Symondsbury Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Bridport · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 67.9 Top 50% | 67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 107 |
| 29 | Thorner's Church of England School, Litton Cheney Dorchester · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Local authority | 66.5 Top 50% | 73% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 115 |
| 30 | Motcombe CofE Primary School Shaftesbury · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 66.3 Top 50% | 68% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 146 |
| 31 | St George's Church of England Primary School, Langton Matravers Swanage · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 66.0 Top 50% | 67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 85 |
| 32 | Durweston Church of England Primary School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 3–11 | Academy | 64.7 Top 50% | 80% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 144 |
| 33 | Hillside Community First School Verwood · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 63.4 Top 50% | – | 221 |
| 34 | Stoborough Church of England Primary School Wareham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 61.8 Top 50% | 56% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 195 |
| 35 | St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery Ferndown · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 61.1 Top 50% | – | 148 |
| 36 | Cranborne Church of England First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 60.8 Top 50% | – | 73 |
| 37 | Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 60.5 Top 50% | 71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 110 |
| 38 | Bovington Academy Wareham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 59.8 Top 50% | 71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 180 |
| 39 | St Nicholas and St Laurence Church of England Primary School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 58.9 Top 50% | 67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 213 |
| 40 | Wyke Primary School Gillingham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 58.8 Top 50% | 71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 161 |
| 41 | Shillingstone Church of England Primary School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 58.7 Top 50% | 67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 103 |
| 42 | Pimperne Church of England VC Primary School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 57.7 Top 50% | 63% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 183 |
| 43 | St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School Gillingham · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 57.5 Top 50% | 59% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 242 |
| 44 | St Andrew's Church of England Primary School Shaftesbury · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 57.4 Top 50% | – | 101 |
| 45 | Ferndown First School Ferndown · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 55.4 Top 50% | – | 348 |
| 46 | Salway Ash Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Bridport · Primary · Ages 5–11 | Local authority | 54.8 Top 50% | 60% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 109 |
| 47 | Stalbridge Church of England Primary School Stalbridge · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 54.4 Top 50% | 65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 188 |
| 48 | Three Legged Cross First and Nursery School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 54.0 Top 50% | – | 84 |
| 49 | Damers First School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 53.5 Top 50% | – | 475 |
| 50 | Upton Infant School Poole · Primary · Ages 4–7 | Academy | 53.5 Top 50% | – | 250 |
| 51 | Manor Park Church of England First School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 52.3 Top 50% | – | 396 |
| 52 | Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 5–11 | Local authority | 52.0 Top 50% | 53% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 70 |
| 53 | Hazelbury Bryan Primary School Sturminster Newton · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Local authority | 51.9 Top 50% | 61% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 114 |
| 54 | Blandford St Mary Church of England Primary School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 50.6 Top 50% | 67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 208 |
| 55 | Archbishop Wake Church of England Primary School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 0–11 | Academy | 50.1 Lower 50% | 64% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 411 |
| 56 | Oakhurst Community First School Ferndown · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 49.6 Lower 50% | – | 173 |
| 57 | Charmouth Primary School Bridport · Primary · Ages 3–11 | Academy | 48.0 Lower 50% | 67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 71 |
| 58 | Holy Trinity Church of England VC Primary School & Community Nursery Weymouth · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Local authority | 47.9 Lower 50% | 72% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 471 |
| 59 | Beaminster St Mary's Academy Beaminster · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 47.8 Lower 50% | 75% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 140 |
| 60 | Corfe Castle Church of England Primary School Wareham · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 47.6 Lower 50% | 57% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 87 |
| 61 | Radipole Primary School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 47.6 Lower 50% | 60% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 437 |
| 62 | Frome Valley CofE First School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 47.4 Lower 50% | – | 141 |
| 63 | Conifers Primary School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 46.6 Lower 50% | 69% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 324 |
| 64 | All Saints Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Sherborne · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 46.3 Lower 50% | – | 130 |
| 65 | St John's Church of England First School, Wimborne Wimborne · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 46.3 Lower 50% | – | 148 |
| 66 | St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Marnhull Sturminster Newton · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 46.3 Lower 50% | 67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 82 |
| 67 | The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury Shaftesbury · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 45.8 Lower 50% | 62% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 201 |
| 68 | Thornford CofE Primary School Sherborne · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 45.1 Lower 50% | 53% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 104 |
| 69 | Wyke Regis Infant School and Nursery Weymouth · Primary · Ages 3–7 | Local authority | 44.5 Lower 50% | – | 220 |
| 70 | Wyke Regis Church of England Junior School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 7–11 | Local authority | 43.4 Lower 50% | 65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 340 |
| 71 | Bridport Primary School Bridport · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 42.4 Lower 50% | 50% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 267 |
| 72 | Beechcroft St Paul's CofE Primary School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 41.1 Lower 50% | 61% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 189 |
| 73 | St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage Swanage · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 41.0 Lower 50% | 65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 175 |
| 74 | William Barnes Primary School Sturminster Newton · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 40.9 Lower 50% | 55% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 162 |
| 75 | Loders CofE Primary Academy Bridport · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 40.1 Lower 50% | 50% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 72 |
| 76 | Dunbury Church of England Academy Winterborne Whitechurch · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 39.5 Lower 50% | 45% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 131 |
| 77 | Sandford St Martin's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Wareham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 38.0 Lower 50% | 54% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 342 |
| 78 | Broadwindsor Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Beaminster · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 37.6 Lower 50% | 60% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 93 |
| 79 | Maiden Newton, Greenford Church of England Primary School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 37.1 Lower 50% | 63% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 137 |
| 80 | Atlantic Academy Portland Portland · All-through · Ages 4–16 | Academy | 36.3 Lower 50% | 34.0 Attainment 8 | 769 |
| 81 | Gillingham Primary School Gillingham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 35.4 Lower 50% | 50% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 233 |
| 82 | Downlands Community School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 3–11 | Local authority | 35.1 Lower 50% | 42% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 201 |
| 83 | Bridport, St Mary's Church of England Primary School Bridport · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 33.9 Lower 50% | 52% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 194 |
| 84 | St George's Church of England School, Bourton Gillingham · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 33.1 Lower 50% | 53% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 142 |
| 85 | Milton-on-Stour Church of England Primary School Gillingham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 33.0 Lower 50% | 39% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 119 |
| 86 | Sherborne Abbey Church of England Primary School Sherborne · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 32.7 Lower 50% | 48% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 336 |
| 87 | St Andrew's Church of England Primary School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 32.7 Lower 50% | 56% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 225 |
| 88 | Sherborne Primary School Sherborne · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 31.8 Lower 50% | 47% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 304 |
| 89 | Bincombe Valley Primary School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Local authority | 31.6 Lower 50% | 53% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 291 |
| 90 | Shaftesbury Church of England Primary School Shaftesbury · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 30.9 Lower 50% | 44% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 333 |
| 91 | Leweston School Sherborne · All-through · Ages 2–19 | Independent | 30.5 Lower 50% | 40.8 Attainment 8 | 577 |
| 92 | Swanage Primary School Swanage · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 28.4 Lower 50% | 47% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 222 |
| 93 | St John's Church of England Primary School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 27.8 Lower 50% | 43% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 224 |
| 94 | Chickerell Primary Academy Weymouth · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 27.4 Lower 50% | 52% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 420 |
| 95 | Southill Primary School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 27.4 Lower 50% | 42% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 212 |
| 96 | Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary School Swanage · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 27.3 Lower 50% | 43% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 89 |
| 97 | Lulworth and Winfrith CofE Primary School Wareham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 26.9 Lower 50% | 38% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 95 |
| 98 | St Andrew's Church of England Primary School Sherborne · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 26.8 Lower 50% | 31% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 99 |
| 99 | St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford Abbas Sherborne · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 25.9 Lower 50% | 44% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 90 |
| 100 | Milldown CofE Academy Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 25.7 Lower 50% | 48% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 200 |
St James Church of England First School in Wimborne leads the 2025 list of primary schools in Dorset with a Success Index (England) of 95.9. Of the 100 schools shown, 74 are academy, 25 are local authority, 1 are independent.
For the full picture see the wider South West primary schools league table, every school on the Dorset page, or the comparison tool to put a shortlist side by side.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best primary school in Dorset?
St James Church of England First School in Wimborne, South West ranks first among primary schools in Dorset with a Success Index (England) of 95.9 out of 100 (Pupils on roll: 134).
How are primary schools in Dorset ranked?
Each school's Success Index (England) combines 9 factors: ks2: reading, writing & maths expected standard (35%), ks2: higher standard (20%), ks2: reading progress (10%), ks2: maths progress (10%), progress 8 (20%), attainment 8 (30%), grade 5+ in english & maths (15%), a level points per entry (10%), community advantage (fewer pupils on free school meals) (15%). Each factor is a percentile against schools of the same type across England. Schools with fewer than 60 students are excluded from rankings.
Are these 2025 rankings official?
No. They are computed by Success Tutoring from official English data (DfE – Get Information About Schools; DfE – Compare school and college performance). Independent schools rarely appear in the performance tables, so most receive no attainment components and no score.