SchoolScoresThe Forum School
Independent special school · All-through, ages 7 to 19 · Mixed · Sixth form · Boarding
Shillingstone, Blandford Forum, DT11 0QS
01258 860295 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 22 October 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Requires improvement |
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
| Sixth form | Requires improvement |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
At its last standard inspection the school met all of the independent school standards, the legal requirements every independent school must meet.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted non-association independent schools inspection data.
Results
We don't show GCSE or primary results for independent schools. DfE's tables often leave out the IGCSEs and other qualifications many independent schools use, so their published figures can look far lower than pupils' real results. DfE has published no A level results for this school. Ask the school for its results.
Admissions
Independent schools run their own admissions and set their own fees. Contact the school directly.
Pupils, staff and SEND
This is a special school for children with an education, health and care plan (EHCP). Places are arranged through the council's SEND team, not the normal admissions round.
| Pupils | This school | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years | 0.0% | 46.1%* | 51.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan | 100.0% | 100.0%* | 99.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support | 0.0% | 0.0%* | 0.5% |
| English as an additional language | Not published | 1.7%* | 14.4% |
Comparisons are with special schools. * 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.
SEND provision: Get Information about Schools (DfE).
Nearby special schools
- Yewstock School 2.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2013), confirmed 2023
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is The Forum School's Ofsted rating?
The Forum School was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 22 October 2024.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 116593.
- Inspections: Ofsted non-association independent schools management information, data to 31 July 2026.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.