Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School is a mainstream primary school in Dorchester, Dorset, for children aged 2 to 11. In January 2026, 33 of its 110 pupils (30%) were getting SEN support and 8 (7.3%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 2–11
- 110 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Dorset.
30% get SEN support
33 of 110 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
7.3% have an EHC plan
8 of 110 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Higher than the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication17
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia15
- Social, emotional and mental health8
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 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 110 (places for 105)
- Headteacher
- Mr Phillip Sales
- Part of
- Sherborne Area Schools' Trust
- Faith
- Church of England
- Free school meals
- 15.4% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Dorset
- School reference (URN)
- 144413
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
Report card, February 2026: Expected standard in every area
Inspected in February 2026 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionExpected standard
- Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
- AchievementExpected standard
- Attendance and behaviourExpected standard
- Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
- Early yearsExpected standard
- Leadership and governanceExpected standard
- SafeguardingMet
Since then: School remains Good (ungraded inspection, November 2021).
Contact and getting there
Buckland Newton, Dorchester, DT2 7BY
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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
- St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown Mainstream + base · Ages 9–13 · Ofsted: Good 8.0 miles
- The Luccombe Hub Independent · Ages 8–18 8.1 miles
- The Gryphon School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 8.4 miles
- Yewstock School Special school · Ages 2–19 · Ofsted: Outstanding 8.5 miles
Other mainstream schools
Questions about Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School
How many pupils at Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 33 of the 110 pupils (30%) were getting SEN support and 8 (7.3%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (17 pupils), dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (15 pupils) and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (8 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School?
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 Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School?
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 Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School?
You can ask for Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School 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 Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School 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 St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown, about 8.0 miles away.
Where is Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School?
Buckland Newton, Dorchester, DT2 7BY, 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.