Do we have to be Catholics for our children to go to St. Mary's?

No, we welcome children from Catholic and non-Catholic families to become part of our Christian family school. When you visit our school you will immediately feel the warm family feel that is an integral part of our school ethos.

Where can I read the School Profile?

The School Profile can be found here.

Where can I read the school's Ofsted report?

The school's Ofsted report can be found here.

Where can I read the school's SAT results?

The school's SAT results can be found here.

What are the school's links with the parish, village and local community?

We are all involved in local village life and a number of parishioners regularly come into school to hear the children read or support them in their class activities. We publish regular articles in the Marnhull Messenger and the Church bulletin. Our computer suite is available after school for the use of the local community and the School Hall is regularly used by the local organisations.

We have close links with the local playgroups and nurseries which our Reception teacher visits to get to know the children who may join us. Our School is part of a cluster of local small schools and we regularly meet together for training or the implementation of new initiatives.

Do you have school mass and services in church?

We have close links with our parish with whom we share Mass every Thursday. Twice a term the whole school goes to Mass and then each week a single class goes to Mass.

When it is only one class the small number enables the children to become more involved in the Mass and Father Martin ensures the Mass is meaningful and inclusive for all the children.

Where do children go when they leave St. Mary's?

The majority of the children go to Gillingham Comprehensive School, but some attend other local secondaries such as Sturminster Newton High and The Gryphon School in Sherborne. A few children go into Private education and the 2 local Catholic Prep schools offer a scholarship to our children every year.

What are the times of the school day?

The times can be found here.

What are the class sizes?

We try to keep our classes as small as we can and of single ages as much as possible. At present our largest class is 28 but 3 of our classes are 21, 20 and 19.

What is the provision for IT in St. Mary's?

We have a wonderful computer suite with 15 flat screen PCs. Every classroom has an interactive whiteboard and a linked visualiser.

ICT is integrated throughout the curriculum and the children love attending touch typing club, writing their own school magazine and having fun with robots, lego dacta and beebots.

Does the school serve school meals?

Not at the present, but we are hoping to serve hot dinners from September 2009. The children eat lunch in 2 sittings with the older children always looking after and supporting the younger ones. They sit in family groupings where possible.

What are the transport arrangements for the school?

We have 3 buses, one from Gillingham, via East Stour and Stower Provost; one from Sturminster Newton via Hinton St. Mary; and one from the villages of Kington Magna, Fifehead Magdalene and West Stour.

We also have 2 taxis, one from Marnhull village and one from Stalbridge.

The remaining children come to school by car (with the occasional child cyclist!).