Durweston CE Primary School is delighted with the outcome of its recent inspection, which highlights the exceptional leadership of Headteacher Jennifer McMullen and the dedicated team of staff and governors. The report, published following the inspection on 10 February 2026, recognises the school's strong standards across achievement, behaviour, curriculum, inclusion and personal development, confirming its place at the heart of the local community.
The inspection found that safeguarding standards are fully met, with leaders establishing an open culture where pupils feel safe and supported. Academic outcomes are impressive, with many pupils achieving higher than expected standards. The school's rich and ambitious curriculum, inclusive ethos, and effective support for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND were praised. Pupils benefit from high-quality teaching, creative learning experiences, and a strong sense of belonging.
Parents' views reflect the school's success, with the vast majority agreeing their child is happy at the school and that their child feels safe. Parents recognise the school's positive behaviour, strong communication, and commitment to pupils' best interests. The school's values of courage, compassion, and joy are evident in daily life, and pupils enjoy memorable experiences such as the Blandford Yuletide lantern festival, maypole dancing, and leadership roles that foster maturity and independence.
Headteacher Jennifer McMullen commented: "We are incredibly proud of our pupils, staff, and community. Our vision is to 'feed the mind, nurture the spirit, and free the imagination.' We want to broaden horizons and ensure every child is well prepared for whatever life brings. This report is testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in our school."
Mark Lacey, CEO of the Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust, added: "We are thrilled to see the school's achievements recognised and send our congratulations to all concerned. We are proud to have Durweston in our family of schools and are grateful for all that they bring to us."
Let's take a look back at our Trust-wide INSET day from the first day of term
Yesterday, twenty one amazing pupils from Trent Young's CE School took part in the Mini London Marathon After a warm up with two of the stars from Gladiators, the children headed off onto the streets of London, along with around 1000 others from around the country Well done to all who took part - what an incredible achievement
A visit from our CEO, Mark Lacey to Wilton CE Primary School
Learning all about the Ancient Egyptians at Cranborne CE First School and Nursery!
Durweston CE Primary School is delighted with the outcome of its recent inspection, which highlights the exceptional leadership of Headteacher Jennifer McMullen and the dedicated team of staff and governors. The report, published following the inspection on 10 February 2026, recognises the school's strong standards across achievement, behaviour, curriculum, inclusion and personal development, confirming its place at the heart of the local community. The inspection found that safeguarding standards are fully met, with leaders establishing an open culture where pupils feel safe and supported. Academic outcomes are impressive, with many pupils achieving higher than expected standards. The school's rich and ambitious curriculum, inclusive ethos, and effective support for disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND were praised. Pupils benefit from high-quality teaching, creative learning experiences, and a strong sense of belonging. Parents' views reflect the school's success, with the vast majority agreeing their child is happy at the school and that their child feels safe. Parents recognise the school's positive behaviour, strong communication, and commitment to pupils' best interests. The school's values of courage, compassion, and joy are evident in daily life, and pupils enjoy memorable experiences such as the Blandford Yuletide lantern festival, maypole dancing, and leadership roles that foster maturity and independence. Headteacher Jennifer McMullen commented: "We are incredibly proud of our pupils, staff, and community. Our vision is to 'feed the mind, nurture the spirit, and free the imagination.' We want to broaden horizons and ensure every child is well prepared for whatever life brings. This report is testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in our school." Mark Lacey, CEO of the Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust, added: "We are thrilled to see the school's achievements recognised and send our congratulations to all concerned. We are proud to have Durweston in our family of schools and are grateful for all that they bring to us."
A magical walk through the bluebells for Cranborne CE First School and Nursery
Fun on residential for Cranborne CE First School and Nursery!
Beautiful photos from St. Bartholomew's Primary Academy in Royal Wootton Bassett
Pupils from St. Bartholomew's Primary Academy in Royal Wootton Bassett have had the opportunity to participate in a town council meeting, expressing their thoughts on a new skate park planned for their local community.
A thoroughly informative workshop for Year 6 at Broad Chalke C.E. Primary School
St James' First School and Nursery - Wimborne enjoying a visit from Saltmine Theatre Company this week.
What a way to begin the summer term! Earlier this week, over 650 colleagues came together for a productive and inspiring INSET day in the beautiful surroundings of Bryanston School With a focus on on "Enabling all to achieve in a digital world," staff collaborated through workshops and networking opportunities, and shared best practice across their teams Huge thanks to our keynote speakers, including Mark Anderson (@ictevangelist ), Pritesh Raichura and Anthony Woodruff, for sharing their expertise #EdTech #Education #INSET #ProfessionalDevelopment #DSAT
Welcome back, everyone Whilst our pupils have one more day of rest, staff will gather today for our Trust-wide INSET Day, hosted by the Academy Improvement Team. We are thrilled to welcome some fantastic guest speakers who will also be sharing their expertise with us
A MESSAGE FROM MR LACEY I suppose it is not uncommon for all of us to know the experience of 'mixed emotions'. The highs and lows of life are all so familiar to us. Hope can so quickly turn to despair. Joys to sorrows and strengths to weaknesses. Thankfully it works the other way too, we often need help from outside of ourselves to get back to where we were - from our family, colleagues perhaps from faith in God. The message of the Easter story is so aligned to these mixed emotions. The cries of the crowd as Jesus enters the city of Jerusalem: 'Hosanna! Blessed is he whom comes in the name of the Lord!' Then their rejection of him: 'Away with him. Crucify him.' We see the despair of the cross as Jesus is crucified, but hear his remarkable words: 'Father, forgive them.' Finally we see the absolute joy as so many see him alive again after the resurrection: 'He is not here. He is risen.' As our schools close for a period of much needed rest, our prayer is that all in our community will know something of the love, hope and joy (our values) that are associated with this time of year, as we thank God for the joy of the gift of life that comes out of such sadness and despair. I hope all our families have a wonderful break.
Congratulations, Cranborne CE First School and Nursery!