Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School, Salisbury
Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School is a primary school for pupils aged 4 to 11 in Salisbury. It has a Church of England religious character. It was rated Outstanding at its last graded Ofsted inspection, in July 2014. Ofsted's ungraded inspection in December 2024 did not change this grade. Its 2025 Key Stage 2 results were the 14th-highest of the 40 schools in Salisbury with published results, and 4,824th of 14,452 across England. It was full in 2025, at 103% of capacity.
- SATs results
- Above England average
- Ofsted
- Outstanding (2014)
- Demand
- Every first choice offered
- Attendance
- In line with England
Reception applications for September 2027 close in 81 days
Deadline Friday 15 January 2027. Apply to Wiltshire (the council where you live). Offers on 16 April.
Data last updated 26 Oct 2026
Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School in detail
Results
In 2025, 82% of Year 6 pupils at Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 82% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 75% and 73% in Wiltshire and 77% and 75% across England.
Results fell from 94% in reading and 84% in maths in 2024.
With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.
Getting a place at Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School
For September 2026 entry, 24 families put Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School as their first choice and 71 named it as one of their preferences, for 26 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.
Admissions history and your chances at Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School
Compared with nearby schools
The nearest other state primary schools to Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School are Salisbury, Manor Fields Primary School (0.3 miles, Good, 72% reading, 76% maths); Pembroke Park Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 70% reading, 73% maths); St Mark's CofE Junior School, Salisbury (0.8 miles, Good, 78% reading, 80% maths); and Wyndham Park Infants' School (0.9 miles, Outstanding).
Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 3 of them.
Salisbury, Manor Fields Primary SchoolPembroke Park Primary SchoolSt Mark's CofE Junior School, SalisburyWyndham Park Infants' School
What parents say
59 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School (as of September 2025): 92% would recommend the school, 90% say their child is happy there and 50% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.
The strongest agreement was that they would recommend the school (92%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (50%).
Who goes there
15% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well below the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.
In 2026, 22 pupils (10.3%) received SEN support and 8 (3.7%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is speech, language and communication needs.
Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School has a resourced provision for hearing impairment: 10 places, 3 pupils on roll.
Getting there
The nearest railway station is Salisbury Rail Station, about 720 metres away (roughly a 9-minute walk).
4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Hastings Court (se-bound), 200 metres away.
The area around the school
In August 2026, police recorded 278 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage and arson. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Wiltshire (34), as is usual near a town centre.
Suspensions and exclusions
In 2024/25, Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School issued 4 suspensions, 1.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.
Secondary schools nearby
The secondary schools closest to Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School are South Wilts Grammar School (0.4 miles), Five Rivers Online School (0.7 miles), Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School (1 mile) and Sarum Academy (1.4 miles).
South Wilts Grammar SchoolFive Rivers Online SchoolBishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar SchoolSarum Academy
Sources: DfE school performance data (averages: state mainstream schools); DfE school-level applications and offers; council admissions booklets; DfE appeals statistics; Ofsted Parent View; DfE school census and special educational needs statistics; NaPTAN (Department for Transport); English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (MHCLG); data.police.uk street-level crime; DfE exclusions statistics
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 2 years agoThis judgement is from July 2014, 12 years ago, longer than Ofsted's usual 4-year cycle: the school may have changed since.
Overall
Quality of Education
Behaviour & Attitudes
Personal Development
Leadership & Management
Early Years
Ofsted Insights
From Ofsted's December 2024 inspection report.
What This School Does Well
This is a warm, inclusive school where children thrive both academically and personally. Pupils develop strong values like respect and kindness, take genuine responsibility through leadership roles, and engage enthusiastically with learning - particularly reading. The school provides rich experiences through visiting artists, community projects like river rejuvenation, and global initiatives that help children understand the wider world.
Key Strengths
- Exceptional personal development - pupils reflect thoughtfully on equality and respect, take on leadership roles with confidence, and actively contribute to school and community projects
- Strong reading programme that builds pupils' fluency and love of reading, with careful support for those who need extra help
- Excellent inclusion and support for pupils with special educational needs, including specialist provision for pupils with hearing impairment
- Rich enrichment opportunities through specialist curriculum weeks, visiting artists and musicians, and diverse arts and sports activities
- Caring, inclusive school culture where pupils look after one another and feel safe and nurtured
Areas for Improvement
- In some subjects, assessment checks do not accurately match what pupils have learned, making it harder to track progress
- Some pupils spend time learning what they already know well instead of moving to more complex material when ready
- Need to improve matching of learning activities to what pupils already know so all pupils progress at the right pace
Safeguarding
Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with leaders and staff committed to keeping pupils safe and the school maintaining an open, positive culture around safeguarding.
Extracurricular Activities
Creative arts week, sports opportunities, river rejuvenation project, global initiative supporting school in Kenya, Rise and Shine and Wake and Shake morning activities
Sarum St Paul's CofE Primary School is a good school where pupils are proud and engaged in their learning. The school has maintained strong standards since its previous outstanding inspection, with particular strengths in personal development and creating an inclusive, caring community.
At a Glance
15.0%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
No
Sixth Form
Resourced provision: Hearing
SEN Provision
No
Special Measures
What Parents Think
59 responsesSource: Ofsted Parent View, responses as at September 2025 - % who strongly agree or agree
Primary Performance (KS2)
Academic year 2024/25KS2 Results (% meeting expected standard)
Reading has declined from 94% to 82% (2024 to 2025). Maths has remained stable at around 82% (2024 to 2025). Writing has remained stable at around 76% (2024 to 2025).
Class Sizes
30.6
Avg class size
29.3
Infant (KS1)
31.5
KS2
7
Total classes
4 classes with more than 30 pupils
2025/26 academic year
How Does This School Compare?
Ranked against 5 nearby primary schools
Keep up with Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School
Before and after school care
Clubs on Ofsted's childcare register at or near Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School.
- PH ActiveEd � Sarum St Paul'sAt the school · Not yet graded
Getting There
Train Stations
Bus Stops
Free school transport
Check free transport to Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School from your postcode →
You apply to the council where you live. Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School is in Wiltshire; for families living there:
Apply to Wiltshire for free school transport. Its policy is on the council's website.
Safety and surroundings
Road collisions within 500 m (2021 to 2025)
- Collisions
- 19
- Fatal
- 0
- Serious
- 1
- Children hurt
- 1
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 19 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 18 slight.
1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot.
4 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included.
The typical figure for schools in Wiltshire is 4 (the median across 265 schools, same distance and years).
Serious and slight counts use the Department for Transport's severity adjustment, which allows for changes in how police forces record injuries; they are estimates, rounded to whole numbers. Distances are in a straight line. Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19), Open Government Licence v3.0.
Commute and house prices
Your chances of a place at Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School
Will you get a place at Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School? Get the admissions report
Your home postcode, set against Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School's admissions figures, in one report saved to your account.
What the report includes for Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School:
- The straight-line distance from your home to Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School.
- We hold no last distance offered figures from Wiltshire, so the report covers demand, alternatives and dates.
- Applications, first choices and offers at Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School for 2014 to 2026 entry.
- How many families in Wiltshire got their first choice, and how often appeals there succeed.
- The nearest state schools to your home, with Ofsted rating, demand and last distance offered where published.
- Key dates for September 2027 entry and how to apply.
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Capacity & Demand
School Occupancy
103%
Over capacity
217 pupils
210 places
7 pupils over capacity in 2025
2025, DfE school capacity data
Area Demand Pressure - Salisbury
Based on MHCLG Live Table 122 (2024-25, last 5 years) for Salisbury
Across Wiltshire council
Places available
6,156
Applications
4,455
Got 1st preference
95.6%
Got preferred school
99.1%
All primary applications across Wiltshire council (2026/27), not just this school.
This school: Every first choice offered
Inspection History(6)
SEND & SEN Provision
SEN Overview
22
SEN Support
8
EHC Plans
14.0%
of Total Pupils
2026 academic year
Provision & Specialist Facilities
Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School has a resourced provision for hearing impairment: 10 places, 3 pupils on roll.
Source: GIAS, Department for Education.
Pupils by Need Type
Pupil Demographics
Ethnicity
2026 academic year
Key Indicators
214
Total Pupils
118
Boys
96
Girls
2026 academic year
Workforce
12
Teachers
17.8:1
Pupil-teacher ratio
£47,518
Mean salary
2026 data
School Funding
£5,053
Per pupil
£1232k
Total funding
£45k
Pupil premium
2025-26 financial year allocations
Pupil Absence2024/25
4.7%
Overall absence
9.4%
Persistent absence
192
Enrolments
Absence trend
Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Persistent absence = pupils missing 10%+ sessions.
Secondary Schools Nearby
Secondary schools pupils are likely to move to
Questions parents ask about Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School
What are SATs results like at Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School?
Of the pupils at Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School who took the 2025 Key Stage 2 assessments, 82% reached the expected standard in reading and 82% did so in maths.
What is Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School's Ofsted rating?
Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School's most recent Ofsted inspection, in December 2024, was ungraded, so it gave no overall grade. At its last graded inspection, in July 2014, it was rated Outstanding.
What is the catchment area for Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School?
No fixed boundary. When Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School is oversubscribed, Wiltshire allocates places by its published criteria, usually ending with home-to-school distance.
Is it hard to get a place at Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School?
Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School was full in 2025, at 103% of its capacity, so places are allocated on the oversubscription criteria.
How big are the classes at Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School?
Classes at Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School average 30.6 pupils (2025/26). 4 classes have more than 30 pupils - infant classes are capped at 30 by law, with limited exceptions.
How many pupils go to Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School?
Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School has around 214 pupils on roll. 15% are eligible for free school meals.
Does Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School have specialist SEN provision?
Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School has a resourced provision for hearing impairment: 10 places, 3 pupils on roll.
What is attendance like at Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School?
4.7% of sessions were missed at Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School in 2024/25. 9.4% of pupils were persistently absent (missing 10% or more of sessions).
How do I apply to Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School?
Apply through Wiltshire's coordinated admissions process, naming Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School on your application. Applications for Reception places starting in September 2027 close on Friday 15 January 2027, and offers are made on Friday 16 April 2027.
Does Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School have a breakfast club or after-school club?
Ofsted's childcare register lists an out-of-school club at the school: PH ActiveEd � Sarum St Paul's (registered, not yet graded). The school may also run its own clubs, which don't have to register with Ofsted.
How many road collisions happen near Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School?
Within 500 m of the school's mapped location, police recorded 19 road collisions in which someone was injured in 2021 to 2025: none fatal, 1 serious and 18 slight. 1 child aged 0 to 15 was hurt: 1 on foot. 4 of the collisions happened on a weekday between 08:00 and 09:30 or 14:45 and 16:30, holidays included. The typical figure for schools in Wiltshire is 4 (the median across 265 schools, same distance and years).
Where is Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School?
Sarum St Paul's CofE (VA) Primary School is at Westminster Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP2 7DG.
Source: Department for Transport, Road Safety Data (STATS19)