SchoolScoresSchools in Dorset
School admissions in Dorset: application deadlines, offer days and all 179 schools (119 state primary schools, 29 state secondary schools, 6 special schools and 21 independent schools) with Ofsted inspections and results.
Admissions dates
You apply through the council where you live, even for schools in another council area. The closing dates and offer days are set nationally.
| Starting | Apply by | Offers sent |
|---|---|---|
| Secondary school (Year 7) | 31 October | 1 March |
| Primary school (Reception) | 15 January | 16 April |
If an offer day falls on a weekend or bank holiday, offers go out on the next working day. Check Dorset's website for local arrangements and in-year applications.
Best primary schools in Dorset · Best secondary schools in Dorset · Best sixth forms in Dorset · Private schools in Dorset
Towns
Beaminster · Blandford Forum · Bridport · Dorchester · Ferndown · Fordingbridge · Gillingham (Dorset) · Lyme Regis · Poole · Ringwood · Shaftesbury · Sherborne · Sturminster Newton · Swanage · Verwood · Wareham · Weymouth · Wimborne
Latest Ofsted reports in Dorset
| School | Report card | Published |
|---|---|---|
| Sherborne Abbey CofE Primary School Academy · Sherborne | 2 strong, 5 expected Inspected 16 June 2026 | 20 July 2026 |
| West Moors Middle School Community school · Ferndown | 2 strong, 4 expected Inspected 9 June 2026 · Before: Good (2022) | 7 July 2026 |
| Shaftesbury CofE Primary School Academy · Shaftesbury | 3 expected, 4 needs attention Inspected 2 June 2026 · Before: Good (2022) | 7 July 2026 |
| Dorchester Middle School Academy · Dorchester | 1 strong, 4 expected, 1 needs attention Inspected 2 June 2026 · Before: Requires improvement (2023) | 5 July 2026 |
| Atlantic Academy Portland Academy · Portland | 2 expected, 5 needs attention Inspected 24 March 2026 · Before: Good (2022) | 1 July 2026 |
| St George's Foundation Primary School Foundation school · Portland | 6 expected, 1 needs attention Inspected 17 March 2026 | 22 June 2026 |
| St Mary's CofE Primary School, Bradford Abbas Academy · Sherborne | 5 expected, 2 needs attention Inspected 6 May 2026 · Before: Good (2022) | 18 June 2026 |
| Oakhurst Community First School Academy · Ferndown | 7 expected Inspected 14 April 2026 · Before: Good (2021) | 14 June 2026 |
| Sturminster Newton High School Academy · Sturminster Newton | 7 expected Inspected 21 April 2026 | 8 June 2026 |
| St Andrew's CofE Primary School Academy · Sherborne | 1 expected, 6 needs attention Inspected 24 March 2026 · Before: Good (2021) | 19 May 2026 |
Ofsted report cards published in the year to 31 August 2026. Latest reports across England.
Primary schools (119) · Secondary schools (29) · Special schools (6) · Independent schools (21) · Alternative provision (4)
Primary schools
119 schools.
- All Saints CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 100% met expected standard (KS2)
- Archbishop Wake CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 64% met expected standard (KS2)
- Beaminster St Mary's Academy Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 75% met expected standard (KS2)
- Beechcroft St Paul's CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 61% met expected standard (KS2)
- Bere Regis Primary and Preschool Academy · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 45% met expected standard (KS2)
- Bincombe Valley Primary School Community school · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 expected, 3 needs attention · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
- Blandford St Mary CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025 · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Bovington Academy Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Bridport Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
- Bridport, St Mary's CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 52% met expected standard (KS2)
- Broadmayne First School and Nursery Community school · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Broadwindsor CofE Voluntary Controlled Primary School Voluntary controlled school · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023) · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- Buckland Newton CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Burton Bradstock CofE Voluntary Controlled School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 64% met expected standard (KS2)
- Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School Voluntary controlled school · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Charmouth Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2022, before conversion) · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Cheselbourne Village School Community school · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023
- Chickerell Primary Academy Academy · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024 · 52% met expected standard (KS2)
- Colehill First School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Conifers Primary School Community school · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 69% met expected standard (KS2)
- Corfe Castle CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 57% met expected standard (KS2)
- Cranborne CofE First School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Damers First School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2017, before conversion), confirmed 2025
- Downlands Community School Community school · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 4 expected, 3 needs attention · 42% met expected standard (KS2)
- Dunbury CofE Academy Academy · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2023 · 45% met expected standard (KS2)
- Durweston CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 strong · 80% met expected standard (KS2)
- Ferndown First School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2010, before conversion), confirmed 2023
- Frome Valley CofE First School Academy · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
- Gillingham Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 expected, 4 needs attention · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
- Hampreston CofE Voluntary Aided First School Academy · Ofsted: Outstanding (2013, before conversion)
- Hayeswood First School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Hazelbury Bryan Primary School Community school · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 61% met expected standard (KS2)
- Henbury View First School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Hillside Community First School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2011, before conversion), confirmed 2023
- Holy Trinity CofE VC Primary School and Community Nursery Voluntary controlled school · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 72% met expected standard (KS2)
- Loders CofE Primary Academy Academy · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2024 · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
- Lulworth and Winfrith CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 38% met expected standard (KS2)
- Lytchett Matravers Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- Maiden Newton, Greenford CofE Primary School Voluntary controlled school · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- Manor Park CofE First School Academy · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected
- Marshwood CofE Primary Academy Academy · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 38% met expected standard (KS2)
- Milborne St Andrew First School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2023
- Milldown CofE Academy Academy · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 48% met expected standard (KS2)
- Milton-on-Stour CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023, before conversion) · 39% met expected standard (KS2)
- Motcombe CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 68% met expected standard (KS2)
- Oakhurst Community First School Academy · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected
- Pamphill CofE First School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Parley First School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Parrett and Axe CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School Voluntary aided school · Ofsted: Good (2011), confirmed 2022 · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Piddle Valley CofE First School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Pimperne CofE VC Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion) · 63% met expected standard (KS2)
- Portesham CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 38% met expected standard (KS2)
- Powerstock CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School Voluntary aided school · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
- Puddletown CofE First School Academy · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
- Radipole Primary School Community school · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- Rushcombe First School Community school · Ofsted: Outstanding (2022)
- Salway Ash CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School Voluntary aided school · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 60% met expected standard (KS2)
- Sandford St Martin's CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School Voluntary aided school · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 54% met expected standard (KS2)
- Shaftesbury CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 3 expected, 4 needs attention · 44% met expected standard (KS2)
- Sherborne Abbey CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 5 expected · 48% met expected standard (KS2)
- Sherborne Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 expected, 2 needs attention · 47% met expected standard (KS2)
- Shillingstone CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- Sixpenny Handley First School and Nursery Academy · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed 2023
- Southill Primary School Community school · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 42% met expected standard (KS2)
- Spetisbury CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 77% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Andrew's CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 expected, 6 needs attention · 31% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Andrew's CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2020), some aspects weaker 2025 · 56% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Andrew's CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024)
- St Augustine's Catholic Primary School, Weymouth Academy · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 45% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Catherine's Roman Catholic School Academy · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 expected, 5 needs attention · 30% met expected standard (KS2)
- St George's CofE Primary School, Langton Matravers Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023, before conversion) · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- St George's CofE School, Bourton Academy · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
- St George's Foundation Primary School Foundation school · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected, 1 needs attention · 46% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Gregory's CofE Primary School, Marnhull Academy · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2022, before conversion) · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Ives Primary and Nursery School Academy · Ofsted: Outstanding (2023) · 90% met expected standard (KS2)
- St James CofE First School Academy · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
- St James' CofE First School and Nursery, Alderholt Academy · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2023
- St John's CofE First School, Wimborne Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- St John's CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 43% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Mary and St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 46% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Mary the Virgin CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2017, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 59% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester Academy · Ofsted: Good (2010, before conversion), confirmed 2023
- St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Marnhull Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage Academy · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 65% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Mary's CofE First School and Nursery Academy · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
- St Mary's CofE First School, Charminster Academy · Ofsted: Good (2019, before conversion)
- St Mary's CofE Primary School, Bradford Abbas Academy · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 expected, 2 needs attention · 44% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Michael's CofE Primary School, Lyme Regis Academy · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2022, before conversion) · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Nicholas and St Laurence CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Nicholas CofE Primary School, Child Okeford Academy · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 expected, 4 needs attention, 1 urgent improvement · 43% met expected standard (KS2)
- Stalbridge CofE Primary School Foundation school · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2023 · 65% met expected standard (KS2)
- Sticklands CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School Voluntary aided school · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
- Stoborough CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2023 · 56% met expected standard (KS2)
- Stower Provost Community School Community school · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 40% met expected standard (KS2)
- Sturminster Marshall First School Community school · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
- Swanage Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2019, before conversion) · 47% met expected standard (KS2)
- Swanage St Mark's CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024 · 43% met expected standard (KS2)
- Symondsbury CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School Voluntary aided school · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 67% met expected standard (KS2)
- The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury Voluntary aided school · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2022 · 62% met expected standard (KS2)
- The Prince of Wales School Community school · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
- Thorncombe, St Mary's CofE Primary Academy Academy · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023, before conversion)
- Thorner's CofE School, Litton Cheney Voluntary aided school · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 73% met expected standard (KS2)
- Thornford CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
- Three Legged Cross First and Nursery School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Trent Young's CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), confirmed 2024 · 95% met expected standard (KS2)
- Trinity CofE First School Academy · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
- Upton Infant School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2012, before conversion), confirmed 2023
- Upton Junior School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 47% met expected standard (KS2)
- Verwood CofE First School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Wareham St Mary CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 50% met expected standard (KS2)
- William Barnes Primary School Community school · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 55% met expected standard (KS2)
- Wimborne First School and Nursery Academy · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Wimborne St Giles CofE First School and Nursery Academy · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2023
- Winterbourne Valley CofE Aided First School Voluntary aided school · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 6 expected, 1 needs attention
- Witchampton CofE First School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Wool CofE Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 46% met expected standard (KS2)
- Wyke Primary School Academy · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2022, before conversion) · 71% met expected standard (KS2)
- Wyke Regis CofE Junior School Voluntary controlled school · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 65% met expected standard (KS2)
- Wyke Regis Infant School and Nursery Community school · Ofsted: Good (2016), confirmed 2025
Secondary schools
29 schools.
- All Saints' CofE Academy Academy · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023) · 33% grade 5+ English and maths
- Allenbourn Middle School Academy · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025)
- Atlantic Academy Portland Academy · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 expected, 5 needs attention · 19% grade 5+ English and maths
- Beaminster School Voluntary controlled school · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 44% grade 5+ English and maths
- Budmouth Academy Weymouth Academy · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024) · 40% grade 5+ English and maths
- Cranborne Middle School Community school · Ofsted: Good (2019), some aspects weaker 2025
- Dorchester Middle School Academy · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 strong, 4 expected, 1 needs attention
- Dorset Studio School Studio school · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 15% grade 5+ English and maths
- Emmanuel CofE Middle School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2022)
- Ferndown Middle School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2018, before conversion), confirmed 2023
- Ferndown Upper School Community school · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 strong, 2 expected · 45% grade 5+ English and maths
- Gillingham School Academy · Ofsted: Not yet inspected · 42% grade 5+ English and maths
- Lockyer's Middle School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2022)
- Lytchett Minster School Foundation school · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2023 · 47% grade 5+ English and maths
- Queen Elizabeth's School Academy · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2023) · 38% grade 5+ English and maths
- Shaftesbury School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 28% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Mary's CofE Middle School, Puddletown Academy · Ofsted: Good (2019), some aspects weaker 2025
- St Michael's CofE Middle School, Colehill Academy · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2024
- St Osmund's CofE Middle School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2022)
- Sturminster Newton High School Academy · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected · 49% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Blandford School Voluntary controlled school · Ofsted: Good (2024) · 46% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Gryphon School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2014), confirmed 2023 · 44% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Purbeck School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2014, before conversion), improved significantly 2025 · 37% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Sir John Colfox Academy Academy · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed 2023 · 34% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Swanage School Free school · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 20% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Thomas Hardye School Academy · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 50% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Woodroffe School Foundation school · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 55% grade 5+ English and maths
- West Moors Middle School Community school · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 2 strong, 4 expected
- Wey Valley Academy Academy · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 49% grade 5+ English and maths
Special schools
6 schools.
- Beaucroft Foundation School Special school · Ofsted: Good (2023)
- Harbour School Dorset Special free school · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 0% grade 5+ English and maths
- Mountjoy School Special school · Ofsted: Good (2022)
- Westfield Arts College Special school · Ofsted: Outstanding (2011), confirmed 2023
- Wyvern Academy Special academy · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024
- Yewstock School Special school · Ofsted: Outstanding (2013), confirmed 2023
Independent schools
21 schools.
- Arbour House School Independent · Ofsted: Outstanding (2025)
- Aurora Beeches School Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Bryanston School Independent, inspected by ISI · 28% A*/A at A level
- Castle Court School Independent, inspected by ISI
- Clayesmore School Independent, inspected by ISI · 28% A*/A at A level
- Dumpton School Independent, inspected by ISI
- Graduately Developing Futures Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- Hanford School Independent, inspected by ISI
- Kingfisher School Independent, inspected by ISI
- Leweston School Independent, inspected by ISI · 36% A*/A at A level
- Milton Abbey School Independent, inspected by ISI · 10% A*/A at A level
- Port Regis Preparatory School Independent, inspected by ISI
- Ringwood Waldorf School Independent · Ofsted: Good (2025)
- Sheiling School Independent · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- Sherborne Preparatory School Independent, inspected by ISI
- Sherborne School Independent, inspected by ISI · 31% A*/A at A level
- Sherborne School for Girls Independent, inspected by ISI · 38% A*/A at A level
- Sunninghill Preparatory School Independent, inspected by ISI
- The Forum School Independent · Ofsted: Requires improvement (2024)
- The Luccombe Hub Independent, inspected by ISI
- Yarrells Preparatory School Independent, inspected by ISI
Alternative provision
4 schools.
- Dorchester Learning Centre Pupil referral unit · Ofsted: Good (2022)
- Harbour Vale School Academy · Ofsted: Good (2024)
- The Compass Pupil referral unit · Ofsted: Good (2015), confirmed 2024
- The Forum Centre Pupil referral unit · Ofsted: Good (2012), confirmed 2025
Page updated 26 September 2026.