Portesham Church of England Primary School, Weymouth
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 1 year agoOverall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Portesham is a warm, inclusive community where your child will feel known and valued. The school excels at supporting all learners - particularly those with additional needs or vulnerabilities - with tailored approaches that help every child thrive. Strong teaching in early reading, combined with a passion for art and enriching activities, means your child will develop academically while also building confidence, wellbeing and a strong sense of compassion.
Key Strengths
- Staff know pupils as individuals and create a culture of inclusivity, especially in supporting refugees and vulnerable learners
- Excellent provision for pupils with special educational needs through quick identification and tailored learning plans
- Well-trained staff teach early reading effectively, with pupils reading books matched to their phonetic knowledge
- Rich opportunities for artistic development, with pupils engaging enthusiastically in art as a tool for wellbeing
- Broad, ambitious curriculum carefully designed to help all pupils build essential knowledge
Areas for Improvement
- Some learning activities do not match the ambitious curriculum being taught, leading pupils to struggle remembering key knowledge
- Staff do not always identify and address misconceptions in pupil learning, leaving gaps in understanding
- Need for greater consistency in ensuring activities help pupils learn the specific knowledge required
Safeguarding
Safeguarding is effective, with the school creating an open and positive culture where pupils feel comfortable sharing concerns with staff.
Extracurricular Activities
Junk modelling club, nature club, French cafe, paddle boarding, farm visits, restaurant trips to learn about cooking, art exhibitions, pumpkin patch art day, school newspaper ('The Good News')
Portesham Church of England Primary School has made significant improvements since joining the First Federation Trust in 2022, moving from an inadequate rating to being judged Good across all areas. The school demonstrates strong commitment to helping all pupils thrive academically and socially, with particular strengths in supporting vulnerable learners and fostering an inclusive community.
At a Glance
17.4%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
21 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2025/26KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
2025/26 academic year
Class Sizes
19.0
Avg class size
3
Total classes
2024/25 academic year
Getting There
Bus Stops
Commute Calculator
Find out if this school is reachable from your home - before you apply
What are my chances?
Enter your postcode to estimate your probability of getting a place.
Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
44%
Available places
46 pupils
105 capacity
59 spare places available
Area Demand Pressure - Weymouth
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Weymouth
Admissions Demand - Dorset
Places available
3,776
Applications
2,808
Got 1st preference
94.1%
Got preferred school
99.1%
Primary admissions across Dorset (2025/26)
Inspection History
House Prices
Moving into the catchment? See what homes near this school actually cost
SEN Provision
How many pupils have special educational needs, what types of support the school provides, and how it compares to similar schools.
Pupil Demographics
The school's pupil mix - ethnicity breakdown, free school meals eligibility, and English as an additional language. Useful context when evaluating school fit.
Teachers & Staff
Teacher qualification rates, pupil-to-teacher ratio, staff turnover, and salary data. Shows how well-resourced and stable the school's workforce is.
School Funding
Annual funding per pupil, total budget, pupil premium grants, and how the school's resources compare to similar schools nationally.
Pupil Absence2024/25
13.87557%
Overall absence
40.78947%
Persistent absence
76
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Reviews
No reviews yet - be the first to leave one.
Nearby Schools
Do you work at this school?
Claim your profile free to get a verified badge, update your contact details, and see how many parents are viewing your page.