Voluntary controlled school · Dorset

Beaminster School

11–18Ages
673Pupils
SecondaryPhase
ChristianReligious character
Sixth formAges 16–18
113884URN

Newtown, Beaminster, DT8 3EP · School website

Applications per placeCircle size: applicationsThis school

Latest Ofsted

Graded inspection · Sep 2023 Previous framework

Good

Quality of education
Behaviour and attitudes
Personal development
Leadership and management

What Ofsted found

Applications per place · Sept 2026

1.7per place

close to Dorset median (1.6)

Fewer applicationsMore

This schoolOther secondary schools in Dorset

200 applications for 120 places · 6th of 13 in Dorset

Every year since 2014

Attainment 8 · 2025/26 (provisional)

45.4of 90

Dorset 43.2 England 46.0

8th of 18 in Dorset

All GCSE results

What did Ofsted find?

Ofsted data to 30 September 2026

Overall effectiveness: Good · 26 September 2023Ofsted's previous 4-point scale (to August 2024)
Area	Outstanding	Good	Requires improvement	Inadequate
Quality of education		Good
Behaviour and attitudes		Good
Personal development		Good
Leadership and management		Good
Sixth form provision		Good

Full reports on the Ofsted website · How to read Ofsted grades

About these grades

Ofsted's report cards (from November 2025) grade each area on five steps and give no overall grade. Earlier grades come from a different framework; Ofsted says the two cannot be compared, so they are never converted here. Ofsted: "We normally inspect schools every 4 years or at any time if we have concerns." Methodology.

How hard is it to get a place?

DfE · Sept 2026 entry

1.7applications per place, Year 7

close to Dorset median (1.6) 0.6 below England median (2.2)

200 applications · 120 places offered · 119 named it first

FaithMay give priority to families of the faith.

2026 1.7; Dorset median median 1.6
2025 1.8; Dorset median median 1.6
2024 1.8; Dorset median median 1.6
2023 1.9; Dorset median median 1.6
2022 1.6; Dorset median median 1.7
2021 1.6; Dorset median median 1.7
2020 1.6; Dorset median median 1.6
2019 1.6; Dorset median median 1.6
2018 1.5; Dorset median median 1.6
2017 1.6; Dorset median median 1.5
2016 1.7; Dorset median median 1.7
2015 1.6; Dorset median median 1.5
2014 1.8; Dorset median median 1.5

This school
Dorset median

Year 7 applications for September 2027 close 31 October 2026, through your council

How this is measured

Applications per place: every application naming the school at any preference, divided by places offered on National Offer Day. It is not your chance of a place. Methodology.

Entry	Places	Applications	Per place	First preferences	First-pref. ratio
Sep 2026	120	200	1.7	119	0.99
Sep 2025	116	207	1.8	127	1.09
Sep 2024	116	203	1.8	112	0.97
Sep 2023	85	164	1.9	81	0.95
Sep 2022	118	191	1.6	116	0.98
Sep 2021	103	169	1.6	99	0.96
Sep 2020	103	165	1.6	96	0.93
Sep 2019	120	187	1.6	117	0.98
Sep 2018	113	172	1.5	101	0.89
Sep 2017	106	169	1.6	104	0.98
Sep 2016	109	186	1.7	108	0.99
Sep 2015	112	174	1.6	108	0.96
Sep 2014	103	182	1.8	103	1.00

How did pupils do at GCSE?

DfE KS4 · 2025/26 provisional

121 pupils took GCSEs in 2025/26.

Attainment 8 (out of 90)45.48th of 18 in Dorset

Dorset 43.2 England 46.0

Grade 5 or above in English and maths41%9th of 18 in Dorset

Dorset 38% England 45%

Grade 4 or above in English and maths65%

Dorset 60% England 66%

This school
Dorset median
England median

Progress 8 (2023/24, the latest published)−0.08

−20 = national average+2

Every year as a table

Year	Pupils	Attainment 8	5+ Eng & maths	4+ Eng & maths	Progress 8
2025/26 (prov.)	121	45.4	41%	65%	–
2024/25	117	47.0	44%	71%	–
2023/24	122	43.3	35%	62%	−0.08
2022/23	120	41.4	31%	54%	−0.10

Progress 8 is not published for 2024/25 or 2025/26: those pupils had no key stage 2 tests in 2020 and 2021.

Schools nearby

The 8 nearest secondary schools in a straight line, in any local authority

Beaminster SchoolThis school
This school

Good2023

1.7applications per place 45.4Attainment 8
The Sir John Colfox Academy
7.5 km · Dorset

Remains Good2023

1.4applications per place 45.9Attainment 8
Wadham School
8.8 km · Somerset

Graded · no overall grade2025

1.5applications per place 41.7Attainment 8
Stanchester Academy
15.5 km · Somerset

Graded · no overall grade2024

1.4applications per place 45.9Attainment 8
Preston School Academy
15.7 km · Somerset

Good2023

1.9applications per place 48.3Attainment 8
Westfield Academy
16.3 km · Somerset

Remains Good2023

2.0applications per place 45.6Attainment 8
Holyrood Academy
17.2 km · Somerset

Good2023

1.2applications per place 42.9Attainment 8
The Woodroffe School
17.4 km · Dorset

Good2023

2.0applications per place 50.0Attainment 8
Buckler's Mead School
17.8 km · Somerset

Good2024

1.4applications per place 45.3Attainment 8

School details

Type: Voluntary controlled school
Phase: Secondary
URN · DfE number: 113884 · 838/4505
Admissions policy: Non-selective
Religious character: Christian
Capacity: 760 pupils · 673 on roll
Free school meals: 22.5% of pupils (England median 23%)
SEN provision: Resourced provision
Address: Newtown, Beaminster, DT8 3EP
Local authority: Dorset

Data last changed 19 October 2026 · Report an error · Corrections · Sources