The Woodroffe School

Foundation school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Sixth form

Uplyme Road, Lyme Regis, DT7 3LX

01297 442232 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 6 December 2023
Grade 5 or above in English and maths55%England 45% · 2024/25
1st highest of 19 state secondary schools in Dorset.
Higher than 74% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils886Room for 1,050 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,058 in 2019, 1,071 in 2021, 1,082 in 2022, 1,042 in 2023, 1,020 in 2024, 978 in 2025, 886 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.0112 for 113 places, September 2026
10th highest of 16 state secondary schools in Dorset.
Higher than 59% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 6 December 2023.

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 educationGood
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

279 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024.

Dorset comparisons use the 16 of its 29 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 13 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.

StatementThis schoolDorsetEngland
My child is happy at this school
12th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorset.
Higher than 29% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
75% 80% 88%
My child feels safe at this school
Joint 13th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorset.
Higher than 21% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
74% 83% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
13th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorset.
Higher than 19% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
60% 72% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 132 parents whose child had been bullied
14th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorset.
Higher than 19% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
37% 48% 49%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 221 parents who had raised a concern
14th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorset.
Higher than 18% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
54% 69% 75%
I would recommend this school to another parent
Joint 14th highest of 16 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Dorset.
Higher than 27% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
68%said yes 77% 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. Dorset figures pool parents at the Dorset 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.

We'll ask you to confirm. One email per change, and you can unsubscribe at any time. Privacy.

Results

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

162 pupils in this year group.

55% — 14 points above the Dorset average, and 10 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolDorsetEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 55% 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. 51.4 43.2 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 4.8 3.8 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% 70% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 50%This school 2023/24: 60%This school 2024/25: 55% This school England 45% 2022/23 50% 2023/24 60% 2024/25 55%

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.

172 pupils in this year group.

98% — 4 points above the Dorset average, and 6 points above the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 51%38%
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. 98% 94% 92%
School sixth form 51% 43% 34%
Sixth form college 1% – 13%
Further education college 38% 39% 37%
Apprenticeship 5% 5% 3%
Work 2% 4% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
96%98%

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 24% 19% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 47% 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. 33.3 32.2 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 33.6This school 2023/24: 33.3This school 2024/25: 33.3 This school England 35 2022/23 33.6 2023/24 33.3 2024/25 33.3

A level subjects, 2024/25

24 subjects, 245 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 26 12% 35% 40%
History 16 6% 6% 23%
Biology 15 7% 40% 27%
Law 15 0% 13% 17%
Physics 14 7% 21% 31%
Psychology 14 7% 29% 19%
English Language 13 8% 8% 13%
Environmental Science 13 0% 0% 14%
Sociology 13 15% 23% 20%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 12 0% 0% 17%
Geography 11 0% 18% 23%
Art and Design (Photography) 9 22% 33% 26%
Chemistry 9 11% 56% 30%
Art and Design 8 13% 38% 34%
Art and Design (Graphics) 8 0% 25% 32%
English Literature 8 38% 50% 23%
Media/Film/Tv Studies 8 0% 38% 14%
Classical Civilisation 7 14% 57% 23%
Drama and Theatre Studies 6 0% 0% 19%
Mathematics (Further) 6 33% 33% 59%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Government and Politics, Religious Studies, Music, Music Technology.

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.

114 students in this year group.

86% — 6 points above the Dorset average, and 7 points above 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. 86% 80% 79%
Apprenticeship 5% 7% 7%
Work 33% 40% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
83%86%

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.

93 students in this year group.

75% — 21 points above the Dorset average, and 15 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolDorsetEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 75% 54% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 38% 19% 19%

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

2023/242024/25
61%75%

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 offered113
Families who put it first112
Of those, offered a place108 (96%)
Families who listed it at all225

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.0 · 2025: 0.9 · 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 with 10 places for speech, language and communication needs. These places are usually allocated through the council's SEND team.

PupilsThis schoolDorsetEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
21st highest of 29 state secondary schools in Dorset.
Higher than 26% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
18.7% 23.2%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
26th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Dorset.
Higher than 48% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
2.9% 4.4%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
25th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Dorset.
Higher than 18% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
9.2% 15.4%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
Joint 21st highest of 29 state secondary schools in Dorset.
Higher than 9% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
2.5% 5.4%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
19th lowest of 29 state secondary schools in Dorset.
Lower than 25% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
9.9% 9.2%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
21st lowest of 29 state secondary schools in Dorset.
Lower than 26% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
28.3% 24.7%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
20th lowest of 29 state secondary schools in Dorset.
Lower than 44% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
16.9 18.7 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
19th lowest of 29 state secondary schools in Dorset.
Lower than 48% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
7.0% 6.7% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil 0.10% 0.24% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
19th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Dorset.
Higher than 47% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
16.7 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
Joint 10th highest of 29 state secondary schools in Dorset.
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).

Questions parents ask

What is The Woodroffe School's Ofsted rating?

The Woodroffe School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 6 December 2023.

How did The Woodroffe School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 55% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 10 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend The Woodroffe School?

68% of the 279 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 4 September 2023 and 2 September 2024 said they would recommend The Woodroffe School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is The Woodroffe School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 112 families put The Woodroffe School as their first choice for 113 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 108 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.