Thank you for taking the time to find out more about joining us here at Sherborne Primary School. If you would like to come and visit us please contact our school office and we will be delighted to show you and your child around.
Our admissions are conducted through Dorset County Council. The children start at the beginning of the school year in which they are five. All children can start school full time, but parents can request part time arrangements for any period until the child reaches compulsory school age.
Good liaison exists between school and the local playgroups. Staff regularly visit these playgroups, and the playgroup leaders also visit us. Children due to start are brought to school for at least one afternoon as an introduction. There is a parents’ meeting for the new entrants to answer queries and it includes a tour during the school day. The school admission number is 48 children per academic year group and providing the year group is not oversubscribed then places can be offered to children living outside the catchment area.
If year groups are over subscribed their access to a place at Sherborne Primary might still be obtained through an appeals process. If more than one applicant applies for a place, then our Admission Officer at Dorset County Council will support families through this process.
Current Y6 – Deadline for Secondary Applications: 31 October 2025
The closing date for secondary and upper school applications is 31 October 2025.
- Any application or change made after this date will be classed as late. This means it will not be considered until after the on-time round.
- You will know your outcome:
- on 2 March 2026 if you applied on time (by 31 October 2025)
- on 30 March 2026 if you apply late (between 1 November 2025 and 1 March 2026)
- from June onwards if you apply after 2 March 2026 – Applications received after the late round deadline will be processed as soon as possible following the completion of the late round allocations. This will be dependent on the date of application, receipt of required evidence and remaining space availability at the preferred school(s).
All contact details and admissions criteria can be obtained using the link below. You are also welcome to contact our office for any support or information.
Admission Form for Sherborne Primary School
http://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/school-admissions
Information for New Parents 2026
Appeal a school admission decision
Click here to see our SAST Admissions Policy
Class allocation
At the end of each summer term parents are advised of the class into which their child will be moving. Each child is discussed with their current teacher to ensure that they are placed in the class that will benefit them in the forthcoming academic year.
Please see our Class Transition Policy for more information.
Achieving – Belonging – Caring
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