Beaminster St Mary's Academy is a mainstream primary school in Beaminster, Dorset, for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 20 of its 140 pupils (14.3%) were getting SEN support and 5 (3.6%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 140 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Dorset.
14.3% get SEN support
20 of 140 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
3.6% have an EHC plan
5 of 140 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication12
- Social, emotional and mental health6
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia5
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream primary school
- Run as
- Academy (sponsored)
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 140 (places for 210)
- Headteacher
- Mr Darren Marklew
- Part of
- Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 32.1% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Dorset
- School reference (URN)
- 140560
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Dorset council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Rated Good, May 2023
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in May 2023.
- Quality of educationGood
- Behaviour and attitudesGood
- Personal developmentGood
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsGood
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Clay Lane, Beaminster, DT8 3BY
Loading the map…
Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Beaminster School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 0.4 miles
- Mountjoy School Special school · Ages 4–19 · Ofsted: Good 0.5 miles
- Wadham School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 5.6 miles
- Cambian Lufton College Independent · Ages 16–25 9.9 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Parrett and Axe Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 20.5%, EHC plans 3.8% 2.4 miles
- Broadwindsor Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 17.2%, EHC plans 14% 2.4 miles
- Salway Ash Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Primary · Ages 5–11 · SEN support 11%, EHC plans 7.3% 2.7 miles
Questions about Beaminster St Mary's Academy
How many pupils at Beaminster St Mary's Academy have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 20 of the 140 pupils (14.3%) were getting SEN support and 5 (3.6%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Beaminster St Mary's Academy?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (12 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (6 pupils) and dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (5 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Beaminster St Mary's Academy?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at Beaminster St Mary's Academy?
Through Dorset council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to Beaminster St Mary's Academy?
You can ask for Beaminster St Mary's Academy to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does Beaminster St Mary's Academy have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Beaminster School, about 0.4 miles away.
Where is Beaminster St Mary's Academy?
Clay Lane, Beaminster, DT8 3BY, in Dorset.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.