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Academy converter · Dorset

Verwood Church of England First School

  • 2–9Ages
  • 289Pupils
  • PrimaryPhase
  • Church of EnglandReligious character
  • 146720URN

Howe Lane, Verwood, BH31 6JF · School website

Applications per placeCircle size: applicationsThis school
Latest Ofsted

Graded inspection · Sep 2023 Previous framework

Good
  • Quality of education
  • Behaviour and attitudes
  • Personal development
  • Leadership and management
What Ofsted found
Applications per place · Sept 2026
2.6per place
0.5 above Dorset median (2.1)
Fewer applicationsMore

This schoolOther primary schools in Dorset

90 applications for 35 places · 19th of 80 in Dorset
Every year since 2014

What did Ofsted find?

Ofsted data to 30 September 2026
Overall effectiveness: Good · 26 September 2023Ofsted's previous 4-point scale (to August 2024)
AreaOutstandingGoodRequires improvementInadequate
Quality of educationGood
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementGood
Early years provisionGood

Full reports on the Ofsted website · How to read Ofsted grades

About these grades

Ofsted's report cards (from November 2025) grade each area on five steps and give no overall grade. Earlier grades come from a different framework; Ofsted says the two cannot be compared, so they are never converted here. Ofsted: "We normally inspect schools every 4 years or at any time if we have concerns." Methodology.

How hard is it to get a place?

DfE · Sept 2026 entry
2.6applications per place, Reception
0.5 above Dorset median (2.1) 0.4 above England median (2.2)

90 applications · 35 places offered · 34 named it first

FaithMay give priority to families of the faith.

  1. 2026 2.6; Dorset median median 2.1
  2. 2025 2.2; Dorset median median 2.0
  3. 2024 2.1; Dorset median median 2.1
  4. 2023 1.7; Dorset median median 2.0
  5. 2022 1.9; Dorset median median 2.0
  6. 2021 1.9; Dorset median median 2.0
  7. 2020 1.8; Dorset median median 1.9
  8. 2019 2.2; Dorset median median 2.1
  9. 2018 2.3; Dorset median median 2.0; as the previous school
  10. 2017 2.3; Dorset median median 2.0; as the previous school
  11. 2016 2.1; Dorset median median 2.0; as the previous school
  12. 2015 2.2; Dorset median median 1.9; as the previous school
  13. 2014 2.2; Dorset median median 1.8; as the previous school
  • This school
  • Dorset median

Dashed bars: as Verwood Church of England First School (URN 113779), the previous school.

Reception applications for September 2027 close 15 January 2027, through your council

How this is measured

Applications per place: every application naming the school at any preference, divided by places offered on National Offer Day. It is not your chance of a place. Methodology.

EntryPlacesApplicationsPer placeFirst preferencesFirst-pref. ratio
Sep 202635902.6340.97
Sep 2025451002.2370.82
Sep 202436742.1340.94
Sep 2023601011.7641.07
Sep 2022601121.9651.08
Sep 2021601121.9641.07
Sep 202050901.8501.00
Sep 2019461002.2440.96
Sep 2018 *40902.3370.93
Sep 2017 *501132.3440.88
Sep 2016 *601242.1550.92
Sep 2015 *521132.2490.94
Sep 2014 *601292.2651.08

Schools nearby

The 8 nearest primary schools in a straight line, in any local authority

  • Exceptional
  • Strong standard
  • Expected standard
  • Needs attention
  • Urgent improvement
  • Does not apply

Eight dots, one per area: inclusion, curriculum, achievement, attendance, personal development, early years, post-16, leadership. Colours follow Ofsted's report card scale; Schoolfile is independent of Ofsted.

School details

Type
Academy converter
Phase
Primary
URN · DfE number
146720 · 838/3053
Trust
Initio Learning Trust
Religious character
Church of England
Capacity
330 pupils · 289 on roll
Free school meals
12.2% of pupils (England median 23%)
Nursery
Has nursery classes
Opened
1 January 2019
Replaced
Verwood Church of England First School (URN 113779)
Address
Howe Lane, Verwood, BH31 6JF
Local authority
Dorset

Data last changed 3 October 2026 · Report an error · Corrections · Sources