Budmouth Academy Weymouth

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Part of ASPIRATIONS ACADEMIES TRUST

Chickerell Road, Weymouth, DT4 9SY

01305 830500 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedRequires improvementInspected 19 March 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths40%England 45% · 2024/25
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Weymouth.
Higher than 41% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,466Room for 1,800 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,639 in 2019, 1,515 in 2021, 1,521 in 2022, 1,538 in 2023, 1,506 in 2024, 1,499 in 2025, 1,466 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.0234 for 235 places, September 2026
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Weymouth.
Higher than 60% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 19 March 2024.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationRequires improvement
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementRequires improvement
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

159 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025.

StatementThis schoolWeymouthEngland
My child is happy at this school
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Weymouth.
Higher than 71% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
89% 69% 88%
My child feels safe at this school
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Weymouth.
Higher than 87% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
95% 77% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Weymouth.
Higher than 70% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
86% 66% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 70 parents whose child had been bullied
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Weymouth.
Higher than 98% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
74% 50% 50%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 129 parents who had raised a concern
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Weymouth.
Higher than 88% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
85% 66% 76%
I would recommend this school to another parent
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Weymouth.
Higher than 70% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
87%said yes 67% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Weymouth figures pool parents at the Weymouth schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

238 pupils in this year group.

40% — about the same as the Dorset average, and 5 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolDorsetEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 40% 41% 45%
Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. 42 43.2 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 3.9 3.8 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
20% 30% 40% 50% 60% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 34%This school 2023/24: 32%This school 2024/25: 40% This school England 45% 2022/23 34% 2023/24 32% 2024/25 40%

Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.

Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After Year 11

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

256 pupils in this year group.

94% — about the same as the Dorset average, and 2 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 43%41%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolDorsetEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 94% 94% 92%
School sixth form 43% 43% 34%
Sixth form college 0% – 13%
Further education college 41% 39% 37%
Apprenticeship 5% 5% 3%
Work 5% 4% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
96%94%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25

89 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolDorsetEngland
Average A level grade C- C+ B-
A level exams graded A* or A 6% 19% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 29% 45% 53%
Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. 26.1 32.2 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
20 25 30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 28.0This school 2023/24: 27.4This school 2024/25: 26.1 This school England 35 2022/23 28.0 2023/24 27.4 2024/25 26.1

A level subjects, 2024/25

27 subjects, 205 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Psychology 26 4% 8% 19%
Geography 17 0% 6% 23%
English Language 14 0% 0% 13%
English Literature 13 0% 15% 23%
Mathematics 13 0% 8% 40%
History 12 0% 0% 23%
Biology 10 0% 0% 27%
Business Studies:Single 10 0% 0% 16%
Film Studies 10 0% 0% 17%
Law 10 0% 10% 17%
Sociology 10 10% 20% 20%
Chemistry 6 0% 0% 30%
Computer Studies / Computing 6 0% 0% 24%
Design and Technology (Product Design) 6 0% 0% 15%
Economics 6 0% 0% 26%
Religious Studies 6 0% 0% 22%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Dance, Geology, Physics, Drama and Theatre Studies, German, French, Government and Politics, Mathematics (Further), Physical Education / Sports Studies, Art and Design (Fine Art), Music.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After sixth form

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

137 students in this year group.

77% — 3 points below the Dorset average, and 2 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolDorsetEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 77% 80% 79%
Apprenticeship 7% 7% 7%
Work 41% 40% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
84%77%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Going on to university

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

115 students in this year group.

48% — 6 points below the Dorset average, and 12 points below the England average.

MeasureThis schoolDorsetEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 48% 54% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 17% 19% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
55%48%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Admissions

Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Dorset. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.

How hard is it to get in?

For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.

Places offered235
Families who put it first234
Of those, offered a place234 (100%)
Families who listed it at all399

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.1 · 2026: 1.0

This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.

Admissions dates and schools in Dorset

Pupils, staff and SEND

Specialist SEND provision: this school has resourced provision and a SEN unit with 267 places for specific learning difficulties (such as dyslexia); Visual impairment; Other difficulties or disabilities; Hearing impairment; Speech, language and communication needs; Autism; Social, emotional and mental health needs; Multi-sensory impairment; Physical disability; Moderate learning difficulties; Severe learning difficulties. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.

PupilsThis schoolDorsetEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Weymouth.
Higher than 50% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
27.3% 23.2%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Weymouth.
Higher than 65% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
3.6% 4.4%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Weymouth.
Higher than 64% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
15.7% 15.4%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Weymouth.
Higher than 26% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
5.7% 5.4%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Weymouth.
Lower than 23% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
10.1% 9.2%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Weymouth.
Lower than 45% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
24.5% 24.7%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Weymouth.
Lower than 35% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
21.3 18.7 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
1st lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Weymouth.
Lower than 50% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
6.8% 6.7% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded5 pupils 0.33% 0.24% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Weymouth.
Higher than 26% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
15.6 17.0 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Weymouth.
Higher than 35% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
11.2 12.0 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Weymouth.
Higher than 50% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
13.2% 13.8%* 14.2%*

Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.

SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).

Nearby secondary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Budmouth Academy Weymouth's Ofsted rating?

Budmouth Academy Weymouth was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 19 March 2024.

How did Budmouth Academy Weymouth do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 40% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 5 points below the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Budmouth Academy Weymouth?

87% of the 159 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 1 January 2024 and 6 January 2025 said they would recommend Budmouth Academy Weymouth to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Budmouth Academy Weymouth oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 234 families put Budmouth Academy Weymouth as their first choice for 235 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 234 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.