William Barnes Primary School
Community primary school in Sturminster Newton (Dorset).
Location
iSchool location from Get Information about Schools. Nearby schools are coloured by phase. Open Map+ for a full-screen map with neighbourhood deprivation (England only).About
The Next Big Step Is Taken! The KS2 performance 'The Next Big Step' will be performed near the end of As part of the community's celebration of pancake day, the children from every class were given the opportunity to take At William Barnes, we believe that learning goes far beyond the classroom.
Our children, staff, and governors all recognize the Since the arrival of the our headteacher, Ms. Locke her genuine appreciation of children's literature has become increasingly evident to
In the school’s own words, from the school website.
Enrichment
7 activitiesiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Football
- Mindfulness
- Rugby
- Swimming
- Music
- Growth Mindset
- Forest School
Awards
1 awardiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Sing UpRecognised award
Key facts
- URN
- 113676
- Type
- Community school
- Phase
- Primary
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Does not have a sixth form
- Nursery
- No Nursery Classes
- Local authority
- Dorset
- Constituency
- North Dorset
- Setting
- Larger rural: Further from a major town or city
Governing body (8 current, 6 former)
Maintained school governing body.
Leadership
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Charlie Hepworth Former | Chair of Governors | Appointed by GB/board | since 2026 · term ended 2026 |
| Mr Christopher Jones Former | Chair of Governors | Appointed by GB/board | since 2025 · term ended 2026 |
Full governing body
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ms Laura Howieson | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2026 · until 2030 |
| Mr Charlie Hepworth | Governor | Parent appointed by GB/board due to no election candidates | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Ms Fiona Locke | Governor | Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | since 2024 |
| Ms Annabel Smith | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Mr Russell Field | Governor | Elected by school staff | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Mrs Maria Dixon-Amphlett | Governor | Nominated by LA and appointed by GB | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Mrs Yvonne Pitman | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Mrs Catherine Louise Dunkley-Jones | Governance Professional - Local Authority Maintained SchoolGovernance professional | since 2013 | |
| Mrs Kirstin Graham Former | Governor | Parent appointed by GB/board due to no election candidates | since 2025 · term ended 2026 |
| Mr Gilford Sweetenham Former | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2024 · term ended 2026 |
| Mr Peter Hallam Former | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2024 · term ended 2025 |
| Mrs Emma Smith Former | Governor | Parent appointed by GB/board due to no election candidates | since 2023 · term ended 2026 |
Source: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools (governance records, as at 25 October 2026). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Names are shown as published; there are no addresses or contact details. Current and former are worked out from term end dates when the page loads. Object or ask for removal · Report an issue with this record