Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary School, Swanage

From the headteacher's welcome: "St Mark's Church of England Primary School is set in its own extensive grounds including a fantastic forest school area. We are very lucky to be located close to the seaside, within the beautiful rolling hills of the Purbecks, on the edge of Swanage. We are a school where individuals are valued and helped to always achieve their personal best."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, cricket, basketball, swimming, dance, choir, chess and gardening.

The school runs a breakfast club.

In 2025, 55% of Year 6 pupils at Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 59% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 71% in Dorset and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 96% in reading and 74% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 4 families put Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary School as their first choice and 26 named it as one of their preferences, for 4 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 Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary School are St George's Church of England Primary School, Langton Matravers (0.8 miles, 75% reading, 92% maths); Swanage Primary School (1 mile, 63% reading, 57% maths); St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage (1.1 miles, Good, 90% reading, 87% maths); and Corfe Castle Church of England Primary School (3.5 miles, Good, 71% reading, 79% maths).

Each of them had higher 2025 results than Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary School.

Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary School is one of 20 schools run by Coastal Learning Partnership, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 58% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

49.4% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 25 pupils (28.1%) received SEN support and 6 (6.7%) 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 a specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia.

The nearest tram or metro stop is Swanage (Swanage Railway), about 1.1 miles away in a straight line.

4 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is The Swanage School (e-bound), 190 metres away.

In 2024/25, Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary School issued 7 suspensions, 5.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.