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Local authority · South West

Schools in Dorset

  • 158State-funded schools
  • 119Primary
  • 29Secondary
  • 6Special
  • South WestRegion
Applications per placeCircle size: applications
First choice · secondary 2026
98%
14 pts above England (84%)
2,105 families applied
First choice · primary 2026
94%
close to England (92%)
2,795 families applied
Applications per place · secondary
1.6
0.6 below England median (2.2)
Median school
New Ofsted report cards
26of 158 schools
Results by area

How hard is it to get a place here?

DfE · families living in Dorset
Secondary (Year 7) · Sept 2026
98%got their first choice
14 pts above England (84%)

2,105 applicants · 1.0% offered none of the schools they named

  1. 2026 98%; England 84%
  2. 2025 96%; England 84%
  3. 2024 97%; England 83%
  4. 2023 95%; England 83%
  5. 2022 96%; England 83%
  6. 2021 96%; England 81%
  7. 2020 96%; England 82%
  • Dorset
  • England
Every year as a table
EntryApplicantsFirst choiceOne of first threeNone they named
Sep 20262,10597.9%99.0%1.0%
Sep 20252,23496.1%98.4%1.6%
Sep 20242,20997.4%99.0%1.0%
Sep 20232,35094.9%97.4%2.6%
Sep 20222,34195.9%97.5%2.5%
Sep 20212,31496.1%98.1%1.9%
Sep 20202,36696.3%98.0%2.0%
Primary (Reception) · Sept 2026
94%got their first choice
close to England (92%)

2,795 applicants · 1.0% offered none of the schools they named

  1. 2026 94%; England 92%
  2. 2025 94%; England 93%
  3. 2024 96%; England 93%
  4. 2023 96%; England 92%
  5. 2022 95%; England 92%
  6. 2021 93%; England 92%
  7. 2020 93%; England 90%
  • Dorset
  • England
Every year as a table
EntryApplicantsFirst choiceOne of first threeNone they named
Sep 20262,79593.9%99.0%1.0%
Sep 20252,80894.1%99.1%0.9%
Sep 20242,74095.8%99.2%0.8%
Sep 20232,84795.7%98.9%1.1%
Sep 20222,95094.6%98.8%1.2%
Sep 20213,08593.5%98.8%1.2%
Sep 20203,13593.1%98.5%1.5%

What has Ofsted found here?

Ofsted data to 30 September 2026

Report cards 26 schools of 158 · since November 2025

  • Inclusion
  • Curriculum and teaching
  • Achievement
  • Attendance and behaviour
  • Personal development and wellbeing
  • Early years (20)
  • Post-16 provision (2)
  • Leadership and governance

Bar: share of schools; number of schools at each grade below.

Overall grade from Ofsted's previous framework 109 schools · graded 2010 to 2024

  • Outstanding4
  • Good94
  • Requires improvement11
  • Inadequate0

Includes grades confirmed by a later ungraded inspection. Not comparable with report cards.

Graded 2024/25, no overall grade 20 schools

Key judgementOutstandingGoodRequires improvementInadequate
Quality of education–182–
Behaviour and attitudes416––
Personal development713––
Leadership and management1172–

Not yet inspected (new or reorganised schools): 3.

Latest report cards

Every new report card, month by month · RSS for Dorset

Secondary schools in Dorset

29 schools · Year 7 entry 2026

Change the order (visual only)

Sorted by applications per place for September 2026 entry, highest first.

Sorted by Attainment 8, highest first.

Sorted by the date of the latest Ofsted inspection, newest first.

Sorted by name.

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS4 results, Ofsted.
SchoolLatest OfstedApplications per placeAttainment 8FSM
All Saints' Church of England Academy Faith 2026 2.3 applications per place 37.8 33%
The Swanage School Good2023 2.1 applications per place 43.1 32%
The Woodroffe School Good2023 2.0 applications per place 50.0 17%
Dorset Studio School Good2024 1.9small intake applications per place 32.0 32%
Budmouth Academy Weymouth Requires improvement2024 1.7 applications per place 40.0 27%
Sturminster Newton High School 2026 1.7 applications per place 41.4 30%
Beaminster School Faith Good2023 1.7 applications per place 45.4 23%
Wey Valley Academy Good2023 1.6 applications per place 38.9 33%
Lytchett Minster School Remains Good2023 1.6 applications per place 47.9 19%
Shaftesbury School Faith Good2023 1.6 applications per place 40.1 26%
The Purbeck School Improved significantly2025 1.5 applications per place 49.0 23%
The Gryphon School Faith Remains Good2023 1.5 applications per place 47.4 22%
The Sir John Colfox Academy Remains Good2023 1.4 applications per place 45.9 23%
Atlantic Academy Portland 2026 1.3small intake applications per place 37.7 35%
The Blandford School Good2024 1.1 applications per place 43.2 21%
Allenbourn Middle School Graded · no overall grade2025 no data – 14%
Cranborne Middle School Some aspects not as strong2025 no data – 19%
Dorchester Middle School 2026 no data – 22%
Emmanuel Church of England Middle School Faith Good2022 no data – 17%
Ferndown Middle School Remains Good2023 no data – 21%
Ferndown Upper School 2026 no data 45.9 21%
Gillingham School Good2023 no data – –
Lockyer's Middle School Good2022 no data – 12%
Queen Elizabeth's School Faith Requires improvement2023 no data 44.4 17%
St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown Faith Some aspects not as strong2025 no data – 21%
St Michael's Church of England Middle School, Colehill Faith Remains Good2024 no data – 16%
St Osmund's Church of England Middle School Faith Good2022 no data – 17%
The Thomas Hardye School Graded · no overall grade2025 no data 47.8 19%
West Moors Middle School 2026 no data – 37%

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS4 results, Ofsted. FSM: free school meals.

  • Exceptional
  • Strong standard
  • Expected standard
  • Needs attention
  • Urgent improvement
  • Does not apply

Eight dots, one per area: inclusion, curriculum, achievement, attendance, personal development, early years, post-16, leadership. Colours follow Ofsted's report card scale; Schoolfile is independent of Ofsted.

Primary schools in Dorset

119 schools · Reception entry 2026

Sorted by applications per place for September 2026 entry, highest first.

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS2 results, Ofsted.
SchoolLatest OfstedApplications per placeSATs standardFSM
Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary School Faith Remains Good2024 6.5small intake applications per place 43% 49%
Milton-on-Stour Church of England Primary School Faith Good2023 5.0small intake applications per place 39% 11%
Motcombe CofE Primary School Faith Good2023 4.8small intake applications per place 68% 16%
The Prince of Wales School Graded · no overall grade2025 4.7 applications per place – 10%
Henbury View First School Good2023 4.5 applications per place – 9%
Lulworth and Winfrith CofE Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 4.3small intake applications per place 38% 20%
Portesham Church of England Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 4.0small intake applications per place 38% 17%
Colehill First School Good2023 4.0 applications per place – 10%
Southill Primary School Good2022 3.5 applications per place 42% 14%
St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford Abbas Faith 2026 3.4small intake applications per place 44% 10%
Hampreston Church of England Voluntary Aided First School Faith Not yet inspected 3.4 applications per place – 12%
Pamphill Church of England First School Faith Good2023 3.3small intake applications per place – 9%
Milborne St Andrew First School Remains Good2023 3.2small intake applications per place – 28%
Milldown CofE Academy Faith Good2022 3.1 applications per place 48% 23%
St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester Faith Remains Good2023 3.0 applications per place – 6%
St Nicholas and St Laurence Church of England Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 2.9 applications per place 67% 19%
Hayeswood First School Good2023 2.9 applications per place – 7%
Radipole Primary School Remains Good2023 2.8 applications per place 60% 13%
Rushcombe First School Outstanding2022 2.8 applications per place – 7%
Symondsbury Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 2.8small intake applications per place 67% 14%
Blandford St Mary Church of England Primary School Faith Standards maintained2025 2.7 applications per place 67% 27%
Trinity Church of England First School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 2.7 applications per place – 13%
Bridport, St Mary's Church of England Primary School Faith Good2024 2.7 applications per place 52% 30%
Salway Ash Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Faith Good2023 2.7 applications per place 60% 11%
Wareham St Mary Church of England Primary School Faith 2026 2.7 applications per place 50% 34%
Beechcroft St Paul's CofE Primary School Faith Requires improvement2024 2.6small intake applications per place 61% 51%
Piddle Valley Church of England First School Faith Good2023 2.6small intake applications per place – 23%
St Catherine's Roman Catholic School Faith 2026 2.6small intake applications per place 30% 21%
St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 2.6 applications per place – 17%
Wimborne First School and Nursery Good2024 2.6 applications per place – 13%
Verwood Church of England First School Faith Good2023 2.6 applications per place – 12%
Broadwindsor Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Faith Requires improvement2023 2.6small intake applications per place 60% 13%
Pimperne Church of England VC Primary School Faith Not yet inspected 2.5 applications per place 63% 14%
St Ives Primary & Nursery School Outstanding2023 2.5 applications per place 90% 5%
Powerstock Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Faith Requires improvement2024 2.5small intake applications per place 50% 12%
St Gregory's Church of England Primary School, Marnhull Faith Requires improvement2022 2.5small intake applications per place 50% 28%
Conifers Primary School Good2022 2.5 applications per place 69% 34%
Wool Church of England Primary School Faith Good2023 2.5 applications per place 46% 14%
St George's Church of England Primary School, Langton Matravers Faith Good2023 2.5small intake applications per place 67% 17%
Burton Bradstock Church of England Voluntary Controlled School Faith Standards maintained2024 2.4small intake applications per place 64% 8%
St Mary & St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Faith Requires improvement2024 2.4small intake applications per place 46% 14%
Thornford CofE Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 2.4 applications per place 53% 8%
Parley First School Good2023 2.3 applications per place – 12%
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Marnhull Faith Good2023 2.3small intake applications per place 67% 13%
Thorncombe, St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy Faith Requires improvement2023 2.3small intake applications per place – 27%
Wimborne St Giles Church of England First School and Nursery Faith Remains Good2023 2.3small intake applications per place – 10%
The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury Faith Remains Good2022 2.3 applications per place 62% 17%
Durweston Church of England Primary School Faith 2026 2.3 applications per place 80% 9%
Shillingstone Church of England Primary School Faith Good2023 2.2small intake applications per place 67% 26%
Hazelbury Bryan Primary School Good2023 2.2 applications per place 61% 20%
Cheselbourne Village School Remains Good2023 2.1small intake applications per place – 27%
St Andrew's Church of England Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 2.1small intake applications per place – 18%
Hillside Community First School Remains Good2023 2.1 applications per place – 16%
Lytchett Matravers Primary School Good2023 2.1 applications per place 68% 9%
Sandford St Martin's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Faith Good2022 2.1 applications per place 54% 15%
St James Church of England First School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 2.1 applications per place – 5%
Damers First School Standards maintained2025 2.1 applications per place – 19%
Witchampton Church of England First School Faith Good2023 2.1small intake applications per place – 4%
Wyke Regis Infant School and Nursery Standards maintained2025 2.1 applications per place – 23%
Cranborne Church of England First School Faith Good2023 2.1small intake applications per place – 17%
Gillingham Primary School 2026 2.0 applications per place 50% 25%
Manor Park Church of England First School Faith Special measures 2026 2.0 applications per place – 20%
St John's Church of England First School, Wimborne Faith Good2023 2.0 applications per place – 22%
St Michael's CofE Primary School, Lyme Regis Faith Requires improvement2022 2.0small intake applications per place 53% 34%
Oakhurst Community First School 2026 2.0 applications per place – 21%
St Augustine's Catholic Primary School, Weymouth Faith Good2024 2.0 applications per place 45% 20%
Beaminster St Mary's Academy Faith Good2023 1.9 applications per place 75% 32%
Three Legged Cross First and Nursery School Good2023 1.9small intake applications per place – 19%
Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School Faith 2026 1.9small intake applications per place 71% 15%
Holy Trinity Church of England VC Primary School & Community Nursery Faith Good2024 1.9 applications per place 72% 33%
St Mary's Church of England First School, Charminster Faith Not yet inspected 1.9 applications per place – 10%
Trent Young's CofE Primary School Faith Standards maintained2024 1.9 applications per place 95% 6%
Loders CofE Primary Academy Faith Standards maintained2024 1.9small intake applications per place 50% 14%
Bincombe Valley Primary School 2026 1.9 applications per place 53% 48%
Charmouth Primary School 2026 1.8small intake applications per place 67% 35%
Spetisbury CofE Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 1.8 applications per place 77% 13%
Archbishop Wake Church of England Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 1.8 applications per place 64% 27%
Stoborough Church of England Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 1.8 applications per place 56% 8%
St George's Church of England School, Bourton Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 1.8 applications per place 53% 9%
St John's Church of England Primary School Faith Good2024 1.8 applications per place 43% 26%
Stower Provost Community School Graded · no overall grade2025 1.8small intake applications per place 40% 13%
Swanage Primary School Good2019 1.8 applications per place 47% 17%
All Saints Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 1.7small intake applications per place – 22%
Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School Faith Good2023 1.7 applications per place – 6%
Marshwood CofE Primary Academy Faith Requires improvement2024 1.7small intake applications per place 38% 23%
St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, Child Okeford Faith Requires significant improvement 2026 1.7 applications per place 43% 14%
Sherborne Primary School 2026 1.7 applications per place 47% 18%
Ferndown First School Remains Good2023 1.7 applications per place – 19%
St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 1.7 applications per place 59% 12%
St Andrew's Church of England Primary School Faith 2026 1.6 applications per place 31% 17%
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage Faith Good2022 1.6 applications per place 65% 18%
Puddletown Church of England First School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 1.6 applications per place – 9%
Bridport Primary School Good2023 1.6 applications per place 50% 22%
Sherborne Abbey Church of England Primary School Faith 2026 1.6 applications per place 48% 25%
St Andrew's Church of England Primary School Faith Some aspects not as strong2025 1.5 applications per place 56% 22%
Wyke Primary School Requires improvement2022 1.5 applications per place 71% 18%
William Barnes Primary School Remains Good2023 1.5 applications per place 55% 25%
Dunbury Church of England Academy Faith Remains Good2023 1.5small intake applications per place 45% 12%
Parrett and Axe Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Faith 2026 1.5 applications per place 71% 21%
Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 1.5 applications per place 53% 6%
Stalbridge Church of England Primary School Faith Remains Good2023 1.5 applications per place 65% 22%
Chickerell Primary Academy Standards maintained2024 1.5 applications per place 52% 22%
Upton Infant School Remains Good2023 1.5 applications per place – 19%
Shaftesbury Church of England Primary School Faith 2026 1.5 applications per place 44% 24%
Maiden Newton, Greenford Church of England Primary School Faith Good2024 1.4 applications per place 63% 20%
Broadmayne First School and Nursery Good2023 1.4 applications per place – 7%
Corfe Castle Church of England Primary School Faith Good2023 1.4 applications per place 57% 25%
Thorner's Church of England School, Litton Cheney Faith Graded · no overall grade2024 1.4 applications per place 73% 13%
St George's Foundation Primary School 2026 1.3 applications per place 46% 27%
St James' Church of England First School and Nursery, Alderholt Faith Remains Good2023 1.3 applications per place – 6%
Frome Valley CofE First School Faith Graded · no overall grade2025 1.3 applications per place – 22%
Winterbourne Valley Church of England Aided First School Faith 2026 1.3small intake applications per place – 13%
Bere Regis Primary and Preschool Graded · no overall grade2025 1.2 applications per place 45% 20%
Sixpenny Handley First School and Nursery Remains Good2023 1.2small intake applications per place – 8%
Bovington Academy Good2023 1.2 applications per place 71% 19%
Downlands Community School 2026 1.1 applications per place 42% 5%
Sturminster Marshall First School Graded · no overall grade2025 0.9 applications per place – 12%
Upton Junior School Good2023 no data 47% 27%
Wyke Regis Church of England Junior School Faith 2026 no data 65% 32%

Sources: DfE admissions (Sept 2026), KS2 results, Ofsted. FSM: free school meals.

Special schools and other provision

10 schools