Witchampton First School, just five miles from the centre of Wimborne and seven from the centre of Blandford, is undersubscribed this year.
A treat for the parents and children at this Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ school who enjoy the benefit of small class sizes – the largest year group has 10 pupils – and high pupil to teacher ratios but a concern for teachers and school governors alike.
“The local community has experienced a lot of changes this year. The sale of the surrounding estate, increasing rents and a lack of employment opportunities has meant that many young families have had to leave the area,” explains Anne Duncan, head teacher.
However, as the school is serving a small community it doesn’t have any catchment restraints so can accept pupils from the wider area. Catherine, a parent with two daughters at the school is from a village near Blandford, she says: “This is an amazing school and definitely worth the commute. With such experienced teachers and small class sizes my daughters get a lot of individual attention and best of all we feel like we have joined the community as well as the school.”
Witchampton First School is a Church of England Voluntary Aided School providing education for approximately 60 children between the ages of 4-9 years. Little Owls Pre School & Nursery provides early years education for children aged 2-5 years.
For more information about Witchampton First School please contact Anne Duncan on 01258 840684 or Jazmine Walker at Little Owls Pre School on 01258 840042.
