Parrett and Axe Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Beaminster

Ofsted's report card from its 9 September 2026 inspection grades Parrett and Axe Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School on 7 areas: 7 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Achievement - Expected standard. "Staff ensure that pupils build their knowledge of reading, writing and mathematics so they typically achieve well."

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders track attendance closely and intervene early when concerns arise."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders hold an accurate view of the quality of the curriculum and teaching."

Early years - Expected standard. "New Reception children receive the emotional reassurance and support they need when they start school."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "The school welcomes everyone."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders and governors act in the best interests of pupils."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Pupils benefit from a broad programme that supports their personal development and wellbeing."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should continue to strengthen the reading curriculum so that all pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, develop fluency, vocabulary and comprehension securely over time"; "Leaders should design lesson activities that build on what pupils already know, so pupils learn as much as possible in each lesson and across the curriculum"; "Leaders at all levels should continue to use the information they gather to evaluate the impact of improvement strategies more precisely to drive further development".

In 2025, 71% of Year 6 pupils at Parrett and Axe Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 86% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 71% in Dorset and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 75% in reading and 95% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 16 families put Parrett and Axe Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School as their first choice and 24 named it as one of their preferences, for 16 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Parrett and Axe Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School are Broadwindsor Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School (1.8 miles, Requires improvement, 80% reading, 67% maths); Beaminster St Mary's Academy (2.3 miles, Good, 75% reading, 83% maths); Maiden Beech Academy (2.6 miles, Good); and St Bartholomew's Church of England Primary School (2.7 miles, 75% reading, 79% maths).

Parrett and Axe Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 2 of these 3 schools.

0% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The nearest railway station is Crewkerne Rail Station, about 2.2 miles away in a straight line.

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Mosterton Cross (ne-bound), 90 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 0 crimes within a mile of the school. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Dorset (25).

Parrett and Axe Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School recorded no suspensions or permanent exclusions in 2024/25.