Talbot Primary School, Poole

Ofsted's report card from its 19 May 2026 inspection grades Talbot Primary School on 7 areas: 4 strong standard and 3 expected standard. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Strong standard. "Leaders are relentless in their drive to ensure that every pupil has good attendance."

Inclusion - Strong standard. "Talbot is a proudly inclusive school."

Leadership and governance - Strong standard. "Leaders, including governors, are proud of the school's work to support all pupils to succeed."

Personal development and wellbeing - Strong standard. "Pupils' welfare is at the heart of all that leaders do."

Achievement - Expected standard. "Overall, most pupils achieve well."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have carefully developed a curriculum that builds pupils' knowledge securely over time."

Early years - Expected standard. "Children enjoy their time in the early years."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should ensure that teaching is highly effective across the school and enables pupils to apply their foundational writing skills across the wider curriculum"; "Leaders should ensure that the curriculum and teaching in the early years maximise opportunities to support the development of children's language and communication".

In its own words: "On the tabs to the left you can find information about the school including contact details, our Academy, staff who's who and more."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Thank you for taking an interest in our school. Talbot Primary School is a safe and happy school committed to ensuring that all our children have the best possible education during this vital time of their lives. The school strives for high academic standards across the whole curriculum to give every child the opportunity to achieve their full potential."

The school runs a breakfast club from 7:30am and after-school care, from £4.50 per session.

In 2025, 80% of Year 6 pupils at Talbot Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 84% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 75% in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole; and 77% and 75% across England.

Results were similar in 2024 (80% in reading, 84% in maths).

For September 2026 entry, 66 families put Talbot Primary School as their first choice and 180 named it as one of their preferences, for 70 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Talbot Primary School are St Mark's Church of England Primary School (0.4 miles, Good, 81% reading, 68% maths); Bishop Aldhelm's Church of England Primary School (0.6 miles, Good, 79% reading, 79% maths); St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Poole (0.8 miles, Good, 76% reading, 71% maths); and Kingsleigh Primary School (0.9 miles, Good, 72% reading, 68% maths).

Talbot Primary School's 2025 results were higher than all 4 of them.

Talbot Primary School is one of 37 schools run by Hamwic Education Trust, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 57% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

27.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (65%) and Mixed (11%).

In 2026, 82 pupils (15%) received SEN support and 16 (2.9%) 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 social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Branksome Rail Station, about 1.2 miles away in a straight line.

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Langside Avenue (n-bound), 270 metres away.

In 2024/25, Talbot Primary School issued 21 suspensions, 3.7 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Talbot Primary School are Winton Academy (0.8 miles), Glenmoor Academy (0.8 miles), The Bourne Academy (1 mile) and St Aldhelm's Academy (1.1 miles).