How many pupils attend Thorncombe, St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy?

Thorncombe, St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy has 34 pupils on roll.

What ages does Thorncombe, St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy take?

Thorncombe, St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy admits pupils aged 2 to 11.

How do I apply to Thorncombe, St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy?

Thorncombe, St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for primary places is 15 January.

Does Thorncombe, St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy have a religious character?

Yes — Thorncombe, St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy has a religious character of Church of England. Faith criteria may apply to admissions; check the school's oversubscription policy for details.

How are Reception places decided at Thorncombe, St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy?

When Thorncombe, St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after children and children who were previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subj… — Looked after children and children who were previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to adoption, a child arrangements order, or special guardianship order including those who appear to the admission authority to have been in state care outside England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted; 2. Priority will next be given to children who have an exceptional social or medical need which means they should attend th… — Priority will next be given to children who have an exceptional social or medical need which means they should attend this school rather than any other (or whose parents have such a need). [The applicant must complete an Exceptional Needs Supplementary Information Form, supported by evidence from a medical specialist or social worker, explaining the need and why it necessitates the child’s attendance at this school.]; 3. Priority will next be given to children living within the catchment area set out in the map who are siblings of pupils o… — Priority will next be given to children living within the catchment area set out in the map who are siblings of pupils on roll at this school, and 5 further criteria. The school offers 12 places at this entry point. Tie-break: Tiebreaker – to prioritise applications in the same oversubscription criterion: a) straight-line distance from home to school and then, b) where distances are equal (within 2 metres) an electronic list randomiser will be used. Children who are Looked After by or provided with accommodation in the exercise of its functions (see the Children.

What is the largest ethnic background at Thorncombe, St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy?

According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 88.2% of pupils at Thorncombe, St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Thorncombe, St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy

How places are decided at Thorncombe, St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Reception), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked after children and children who were previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subj… — Looked after children and children who were previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to adoption, a child arrangements order, or special guardianship order including those who appear to the admission authority to have been in state care outside England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted.
2Priority will next be given to children who have an exceptional social or medical need which means they should attend th… — Priority will next be given to children who have an exceptional social or medical need which means they should attend this school rather than any other (or whose parents have such a need). [The applicant must complete an Exceptional Needs Supplementary Information Form, supported by evidence from a medical specialist or social worker, explaining the need and why it necessitates the child’s attendance at this school.]
3Priority will next be given to children living within the catchment area set out in the map who are siblings of pupils o… — Priority will next be given to children living within the catchment area set out in the map who are siblings of pupils on roll at this school.
4Priority will next be given to other children living within the catchment area — Priority will next be given to other children living within the catchment area.
5Priority will next be given to children living outside the catchment area, who are siblings of pupils on roll at this sc… — Priority will next be given to children living outside the catchment area, who are siblings of pupils on roll at this school.
6Priority will next be given to children who regularly attend (or whose parents regularly attend) a Christian church. [Th… — Priority will next be given to children who regularly attend (or whose parents regularly attend) a Christian church. [The applicant must complete a Faith Supplementary Information Form verified by a church priest or minister.]
7Priority will next be given to children of members of staff who have been employed at this school for more than two year… — Priority will next be given to children of members of staff who have been employed at this school for more than two years or recruited within the past two years to fill a vacancy for which there was a skills shortage.
8Priority will next be given to other children — Priority will next be given to other children.

If two applications tie: Tiebreaker – to prioritise applications in the same oversubscription criterion: a) straight-line distance from home to school and then, b) where distances are equal (within 2 metres) an electronic list randomiser will be used. Children who are Looked After by or provided with accommodation in the exercise of its functions (see the Children

The First Federation Trust is the admission authority for this school and determines its arrangements; Dorset Council coordinates applications. The policy gives priority to children living in the school’s catchment area, which the trust publishes as a map inside the policy.

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.