St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester is a mainstream primary school in Dorchester, Dorset, for children aged 2 to 9. In January 2026, 12 of its 177 pupils (6.8%) were getting SEN support and 4 (2.3%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 2–9
- 177 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Dorset.
6.8% get SEN support
12 of 177 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
2.3% have an EHC plan
4 of 177 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Social, emotional and mental health6
- Speech, language and communication5
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
- Ages
- 2 to 9
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 177 (places for 183)
- Headteacher
- Mrs Sharon Betts
- Part of
- Plymouth Cast
- Faith
- Roman Catholic
- Free school meals
- 5.9% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Dorset
- School reference (URN)
- 140771
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, July 2010; school remains Good (January 2023)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in July 2010. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
- Early yearsGood
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, January 2023).
Contact and getting there
Lucetta Lane, Dorchester, DT1 2DD
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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
- Dorchester Middle School Mainstream + base · Ages 9–13 · Ofsted report card (2026) 0.8 miles
- The Thomas Hardye School Mainstream + base · Ages 13–18 1.1 miles
- Westfield Arts College Special school · Ages 4–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 4.4 miles
- Wyvern Academy Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted: Good 4.8 miles
Other mainstream schools
- St Osmund's Church of England Middle School Middle · Ages 9–13 · SEN support 13.9%, EHC plans 6.3% 0.2 miles
- Manor Park Church of England First School Primary · Ages 2–9 · SEN support 19.4%, EHC plans 2.3% 0.3 miles
- Dorset Studio School Secondary · Ages 11–16 · SEN support 41%, EHC plans 9.9% 1.2 miles
Questions about St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester
How many pupils at St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 12 of the 177 pupils (6.8%) were getting SEN support and 4 (2.3%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (6 pupils) and speech, language and communication needs (5 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester?
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 St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester?
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 St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester?
You can ask for St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester 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 St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester 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 Dorchester Middle School, about 0.8 miles away.
Where is St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester?
Lucetta Lane, Dorchester, DT1 2DD, 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.