Wareham St Mary Church of England Primary School, Wareham

Ofsted's report card from its 7 July 2026 inspection grades Wareham St Mary Church of England Primary School on 7 areas: 4 expected standard and 3 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Early years - Expected standard. "Children make a successful start in early years."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders' work with the trust and external specialists develops effective approaches to inclusion."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders are taking effective action to raise expectations, tackle underperformance and secure improvements across the school."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "The personal development programme enables pupils to develop a clear understanding of similarities, differences and tolerance of others."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Pupils' standards in reading, writing and mathematics sit well below the national average."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Despite leaders' efforts, pupils' overall attendance remains well below the national average."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "Staff turnover and leadership changes have affected the consistency of teaching."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should raise pupils' achievement further, so that their knowledge and skills are equally secure across all subjects and age groups"; "Leaders should ensure that pupils progress consistently well in spelling, handwriting and letter formation so they can write at speed and with accuracy"; "Leaders should make sure that staff plan activities that build on pupils' prior knowledge and skills and check that content has been secured before moving learning on"; "Leaders should ensure that the school's attendance strategy consistently improves pupils' attendance and reduces rates of absence"; "Leaders should work in partnership with parents and carers to improve communication and understanding of the school's work so all can support pupils' learning together".

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are a small, Church of England school at the heart of our community here on the edge of the Jurassic Coast. At Wareham St Mary, our Christian vision and values are at the core of everything that we do."

The school runs a breakfast club and after-school care.

In 2025, 63% of Year 6 pupils at Wareham St Mary Church of England Primary School reached the expected standard in reading and 67% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 74% and 71% in Dorset and 77% and 75% across England.

Results fell from 74% in reading and 68% in maths in 2024.

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

For September 2026 entry, 21 families put Wareham St Mary Church of England Primary School as their first choice and 56 named it as one of their preferences, for 21 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 Wareham St Mary Church of England Primary School are Stoborough Church of England Primary School (0.8 miles, 67% reading, 67% maths); Sandford St Martin's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School (1.9 miles, Good, 69% reading, 74% maths); Wool Church of England Primary School (4.4 miles, Good, 62% reading, 54% maths); and Corfe Castle Church of England Primary School (4.5 miles, Good, 71% reading, 79% maths).

Wareham St Mary Church of England Primary School's 2025 results were higher than 1 of these 4 schools.

Wareham St Mary 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.

33.9% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 6.7% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 28 pupils (17%) received SEN support and 12 (7.3%) 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.

Wareham St Mary Church of England Primary School had 3 teachers in 2026, one for every 58 pupils: fewer teachers per pupil than a typical primary school, at about one for every 20.

The nearest railway station is Wareham Rail Station, about 800 metres away (roughly a 10-minute walk).

2 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Police Station (e-bound), 240 metres away.

In 2024/25, Wareham St Mary Church of England Primary School issued 7 suspensions, 4 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.