SchoolScoresSturminster Newton High School
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form
Part of SHERBORNE AREA SCHOOLS' TRUST
Bath Road, Bath Road, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1DT
01258 472642 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 21 April 2026 , published 8 June 2026.
In short: 7 expected, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Post-16 provisionSixth form or other study after 16. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Expected standard Middle of five grades. Meets the standard Ofsted expects. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
100 pupils in this year group.
49% — 8 points above the Dorset average, and 4 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 49% | 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. | 46.1 | 43.2 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.3 | 3.8 | 4.1 |
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.
111 pupils in this year group.
91% — 3 points below the Dorset average, and about the same as the England average.
| Measure | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 91% | 94% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 36% | 43% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 40% | 39% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 7% | 5% | 3% |
| Work | 6% | 4% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 91% |
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
32 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C | C+ | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 11% | 19% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 28% | 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. | 28.5 | 32.2 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
16 subjects, 74 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology | 9 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| English Language | 8 | 0% | 0% | 13% |
| Biology | 7 | 0% | 14% | 27% |
| Mathematics | 7 | 14% | 43% | 40% |
| Business Studies:Single | 6 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
| Chemistry | 6 | 0% | 17% | 30% |
| Geography | 6 | 17% | 17% | 23% |
| Physics | 6 | 0% | 17% | 31% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Art and Design (Fine Art), Art and Design (Photography), Computer Studies / Computing, Art and Design (Graphics), Environmental Science, Accounting / Finance, Mathematics (Further), Sociology.
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.
47 students in this year group.
81% — about the same as the Dorset average, and 2 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 81% | 80% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 13% | 7% | 7% |
| Work | 30% | 40% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 80% | 81% |
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.
39 students in this year group.
49% — 5 points below the Dorset average, and 11 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 49% | 54% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 15% | 19% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 50% | 49% |
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 offered | 93 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 89 |
| Of those, offered a place | 89 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 157 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 1.0 · 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.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 7th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Dorset. Higher than 56% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 29.6% | 23.2%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 16th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Dorset. Higher than 67% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.7% | 4.4%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 4th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Dorset. Higher than 92% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 22.0% | 15.4%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language Joint 6th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Dorset. Higher than 32% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 6.8% | 5.4%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 22nd lowest of 29 state secondary schools in Dorset. Lower than 15% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 10.9% | 9.2%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 22nd lowest of 29 state secondary schools in Dorset. Lower than 22% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 29.2% | 24.7%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 7th lowest of 29 state secondary schools in Dorset. Lower than 75% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 7.1 | 18.7 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 7th lowest of 29 state secondary schools in Dorset. Lower than 78% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 3.6% | 6.7% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded2 pupils | 0.32% | 0.24% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher Joint 14th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Dorset. Higher than 61% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 17.3 | 17.0 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) Joint 9th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Dorset. Higher than 70% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 12.7 | 12.0 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 16th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Dorset. Higher than 34% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 10.8% | 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.
Questions parents ask
What is Sturminster Newton High School's Ofsted rating?
Sturminster Newton High School was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 21 April 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 7 expected, and safeguarding was met.
How did Sturminster Newton High School do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 49% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 4 points above the England average of 45%.
Is Sturminster Newton High School oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 89 families put Sturminster Newton High School as their first choice for 93 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 89 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 149657.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.