Dorset
Schools by level
Elementary 119 · High school 29 · Other / combined 10
At a glance
- Students
- 46,354 (2026)
- Schools
- 158
Official rating
Ofsted latest inspections (as at 2026-09-30)
- 158 state schools
- 26 with a report card (from Nov 2025)
- Single-word overall grade (inspections up to July 2024): Outstanding 2 · Good 66 · Requires improvement 17 · Inadequate 1
- 20 inspected without an overall grade (from Sept 2024)
- 3 schools with no inspection listed
Ofsted data as published (as at 2026-09-30). Single-word overall grades (Outstanding, Good …) exist only for inspections up to July 2024; from September 2024 inspections gave no overall grade, and from November 2025 they produce area-by-area report cards. So no stars for England.
Ofsted management information (state-funded schools, latest inspections)Check the zoned school for an address
Each address is zoned to specific schools. Confirm with the district's official lookup tool or office before you sign a lease.
Schools (158)
Official campus ratings are shown with their year. Use the address lookup to confirm zoning.
Elementary 119
All Saints Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 130
School remains Good · 2023Archbishop Wake Church of England Primary School
Grades Ages 0–11 · Dorset · Students 411
School remains Good · 2023Beaminster St Mary's Academy
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 140
Good · 2023Beechcroft St Paul's CofE Primary School
Grades Ages 2–11 · Dorset · Students 189
Requires improvement · 2024Bere Regis Primary and Preschool
Grades Ages 2–11 · Dorset · Students 119
Graded, no overall grade · 2025Bincombe Valley Primary School
Grades Ages 2–11 · Dorset · Students 291
Report card · 2026Blandford St Mary Church of England Primary School
Grades Ages 2–11 · Dorset · Students 208
Standards maintained · 2025Bovington Academy
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 180
Good · 2023Bridport Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 267
Good · 2023Bridport, St Mary's Church of England Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 194
Good · 2024Broadmayne First School and Nursery
Grades Ages 2–9 · Dorset · Students 139
Good · 2023Broadwindsor Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 93
Requires improvement · 2023Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School
Grades Ages 2–11 · Dorset · Students 110
Report card · 2026Burton Bradstock Church of England Voluntary Controlled School
Grades Ages 3–11 · Dorset · Students 99
Standards maintained · 2024Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School
Grades Ages 3–9 · Dorset · Students 77
Good · 2023Charmouth Primary School
Grades Ages 3–11 · Dorset · Students 71
Report card · 2026Cheselbourne Village School
Grades Ages 3–9 · Dorset · Students 49
School remains Good · 2023Chickerell Primary Academy
Grades Ages 2–11 · Dorset · Students 420
Standards maintained · 2024Colehill First School
Grades Ages 5–9 · Dorset · Students 148
Good · 2023Conifers Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 324
Good · 2022Corfe Castle Church of England Primary School
Grades Ages 2–11 · Dorset · Students 87
Good · 2023Cranborne Church of England First School
Grades Ages 2–9 · Dorset · Students 73
Good · 2023Damers First School
Grades Ages 4–9 · Dorset · Students 475
Standards maintained · 2025Downlands Community School
Grades Ages 3–11 · Dorset · Students 201
Report card · 2026Dunbury Church of England Academy
Grades Ages 2–11 · Dorset · Students 131
School remains Good · 2023Durweston Church of England Primary School
Grades Ages 3–11 · Dorset · Students 144
Report card · 2026Ferndown First School
Grades Ages 4–9 · Dorset · Students 348
School remains Good · 2023Frome Valley CofE First School
Grades Ages 2–9 · Dorset · Students 141
Graded, no overall grade · 2025Gillingham Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 233
Report card · 2026Hampreston Church of England Voluntary Aided First School
Grades Ages 5–9 · Dorset · Students 134
Hayeswood First School
Grades Ages 5–9 · Dorset · Students 148
Good · 2023Hazelbury Bryan Primary School
Grades Ages 2–11 · Dorset · Students 114
Good · 2023Henbury View First School
Grades Ages 5–9 · Dorset · Students 148
Good · 2023Hillside Community First School
Grades Ages 4–9 · Dorset · Students 221
School remains Good · 2023Holy Trinity Church of England VC Primary School & Community Nursery
Grades Ages 2–11 · Dorset · Students 471
Good · 2024Loders CofE Primary Academy
Grades Ages 2–11 · Dorset · Students 72
Standards maintained · 2024Lulworth and Winfrith CofE Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 95
Graded, no overall grade · 2025Lytchett Matravers Primary School
Grades Ages 2–11 · Dorset · Students 484
Good · 2023Maiden Newton, Greenford Church of England Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 137
Good · 2024Manor Park Church of England First School
Grades Ages 2–9 · Dorset · Students 396
Report card · 2026Marshwood CofE Primary Academy
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 43
Requires improvement · 2024Milborne St Andrew First School
Grades Ages 4–9 · Dorset · Students 43
School remains Good · 2023Milldown CofE Academy
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 200
Good · 2022Milton-on-Stour Church of England Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 119
Good · 2023Motcombe CofE Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 146
Good · 2023Oakhurst Community First School
Grades Ages 5–9 · Dorset · Students 173
Report card · 2026Pamphill Church of England First School
Grades Ages 5–9 · Dorset · Students 67
Good · 2023Parley First School
Grades Ages 4–9 · Dorset · Students 313
Good · 2023Parrett and Axe Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 132
Report card · 2026Piddle Valley Church of England First School
Grades Ages 2–9 · Dorset · Students 40
Good · 2023Pimperne Church of England VC Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 183
Portesham Church of England Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 46
Graded, no overall grade · 2025Powerstock Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 33
Requires improvement · 2024Puddletown Church of England First School
Grades Ages 4–9 · Dorset · Students 134
Graded, no overall grade · 2025Radipole Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 437
School remains Good · 2023Rushcombe First School
Grades Ages 4–9 · Dorset · Students 313
Outstanding · 2022Salway Ash Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Grades Ages 5–11 · Dorset · Students 109
Good · 2023Sandford St Martin's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 342
Good · 2022Shaftesbury Church of England Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 333
Report card · 2026Sherborne Abbey Church of England Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 336
Report card · 2026Sherborne Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 304
Report card · 2026Shillingstone Church of England Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 103
Good · 2023Sixpenny Handley First School and Nursery
Grades Ages 2–9 · Dorset · Students 73
School remains Good · 2023Southill Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 212
Good · 2022Spetisbury CofE Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 187
School remains Good · 2023St Andrew's Church of England Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 99
Report card · 2026St Andrew's Church of England Primary School
Grades Ages 3–11 · Dorset · Students 225
Good · 2025St Andrew's Church of England Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 101
Graded, no overall grade · 2024St Augustine's Catholic Primary School, Weymouth
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 201
Good · 2024St Catherine's Roman Catholic School
Grades Ages 5–11 · Dorset · Students 100
Report card · 2026St George's Church of England Primary School, Langton Matravers
Grades Ages 2–11 · Dorset · Students 85
Good · 2023St George's Church of England School, Bourton
Grades Ages 2–11 · Dorset · Students 142
Graded, no overall grade · 2025St George's Foundation Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 406
Report card · 2026St Gregory's Church of England Primary School, Marnhull
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 51
Requires improvement · 2022St Ives Primary & Nursery School
Grades Ages 2–11 · Dorset · Students 245
Outstanding · 2023St James Church of England First School
Grades Ages 2–9 · Dorset · Students 134
Graded, no overall grade · 2025St James' Church of England First School and Nursery, Alderholt
Grades Ages 2–9 · Dorset · Students 125
School remains Good · 2023St John's Church of England First School, Wimborne
Grades Ages 5–9 · Dorset · Students 148
Good · 2023St John's Church of England Primary School
Grades Ages 2–11 · Dorset · Students 224
Good · 2024St Mary & St Joseph's Catholic Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 81
Requires improvement · 2024St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School
Grades Ages 2–11 · Dorset · Students 242
School remains Good · 2023St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester
Grades Ages 2–9 · Dorset · Students 177
School remains Good · 2023St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Marnhull
Grades Ages 2–11 · Dorset · Students 82
Good · 2023St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 175
Good · 2022St Mary's Church of England First School, Charminster
Grades Ages 4–9 · Dorset · Students 148
St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford Abbas
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 90
Report card · 2026St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery
Grades Ages 2–9 · Dorset · Students 148
Graded, no overall grade · 2025St Michael's CofE Primary School, Lyme Regis
Grades Ages 3–11 · Dorset · Students 59
Requires improvement · 2022St Nicholas and St Laurence Church of England Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 213
Graded, no overall grade · 2025St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, Child Okeford
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 125
Report card · 2026Stalbridge Church of England Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 188
School remains Good · 2023Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Grades Ages 5–11 · Dorset · Students 70
Graded, no overall grade · 2024Stoborough Church of England Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 195
School remains Good · 2023Stower Provost Community School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 92
Graded, no overall grade · 2025Sturminster Marshall First School
Grades Ages 4–9 · Dorset · Students 49
Graded, no overall grade · 2025Swanage Primary School
Grades Ages 2–11 · Dorset · Students 222
Good · 2019Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 89
School remains Good · 2024Symondsbury Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 107
Graded, no overall grade · 2025The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 201
School remains Good · 2022The Prince of Wales School
Grades Ages 2–9 · Dorset · Students 156
Graded, no overall grade · 2025Thorncombe, St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy
Grades Ages 2–11 · Dorset · Students 34
Requires improvement · 2023Thorner's Church of England School, Litton Cheney
Grades Ages 2–11 · Dorset · Students 115
Graded, no overall grade · 2024Thornford CofE Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 104
Graded, no overall grade · 2024Three Legged Cross First and Nursery School
Grades Ages 2–9 · Dorset · Students 84
Good · 2023Trent Young's CofE Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 143
Standards maintained · 2024Trinity Church of England First School
Grades Ages 4–9 · Dorset · Students 128
Graded, no overall grade · 2025Upton Infant School
Grades Ages 4–7 · Dorset · Students 250
School remains Good · 2023Upton Junior School
Grades Ages 7–11 · Dorset · Students 351
Good · 2023Verwood Church of England First School
Grades Ages 2–9 · Dorset · Students 289
Good · 2023Wareham St Mary Church of England Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 165
Report card · 2026William Barnes Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 162
School remains Good · 2023Wimborne First School and Nursery
Grades Ages 2–9 · Dorset · Students 400
Good · 2024Wimborne St Giles Church of England First School and Nursery
Grades Ages 2–9 · Dorset · Students 70
School remains Good · 2023Winterbourne Valley Church of England Aided First School
Grades Ages 3–9 · Dorset · Students 60
Report card · 2026Witchampton Church of England First School
Grades Ages 5–9 · Dorset · Students 45
Good · 2023Wool Church of England Primary School
Grades Ages 2–11 · Dorset · Students 116
Good · 2023Wyke Primary School
Grades Ages 4–11 · Dorset · Students 161
Requires improvement · 2022Wyke Regis Church of England Junior School
Grades Ages 7–11 · Dorset · Students 340
Report card · 2026Wyke Regis Infant School and Nursery
Grades Ages 3–7 · Dorset · Students 220
Standards maintained · 2025
High school 29
All Saints' Church of England Academy
Grades Ages 11–16 · Dorset · Students 598
Report card · 2026Allenbourn Middle School
Grades Ages 9–13 · Dorset · Students 499
Graded, no overall grade · 2025Atlantic Academy Portland
Grades Ages 4–16 · Dorset · Students 769
Report card · 2026Beaminster School
Grades Ages 11–18 · Dorset · Students 673
Good · 2023Budmouth Academy Weymouth
Grades Ages 11–18 · Dorset · Students 1,466
Requires improvement · 2024Cranborne Middle School
Grades Ages 9–13 · Dorset · Students 265
Some aspects not as strong · 2025Dorchester Middle School
Grades Ages 9–13 · Dorset · Students 527
Report card · 2026Dorset Studio School
Grades Ages 11–16 · Dorset · Students 332
Good · 2024Emmanuel Church of England Middle School
Grades Ages 9–13 · Dorset · Students 434
Good · 2022Ferndown Middle School
Grades Ages 9–13 · Dorset · Students 600
School remains Good · 2023Ferndown Upper School
Grades Ages 13–19 · Dorset · Students 1,134
Report card · 2026Gillingham School
Grades Ages 11–18 · Dorset · Students 1,684
Good · 2023Lockyer's Middle School
Grades Ages 9–13 · Dorset · Students 436
Good · 2022Lytchett Minster School
Grades Ages 11–19 · Dorset · Students 1,624
School remains Good · 2023Queen Elizabeth's School
Grades Ages 13–18 · Dorset · Students 1,375
Requires improvement · 2023Shaftesbury School
Grades Ages 11–18 · Dorset · Students 782
Good · 2023St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown
Grades Ages 9–13 · Dorset · Students 441
Good · 2025St Michael's Church of England Middle School, Colehill
Grades Ages 9–13 · Dorset · Students 563
School remains Good · 2024St Osmund's Church of England Middle School
Grades Ages 9–13 · Dorset · Students 714
Good · 2022Sturminster Newton High School
Grades Ages 11–18 · Dorset · Students 605
Report card · 2026The Blandford School
Grades Ages 11–18 · Dorset · Students 1,103
Good · 2024The Gryphon School
Grades Ages 11–18 · Dorset · Students 1,569
School remains Good · 2023The Purbeck School
Grades Ages 11–18 · Dorset · Students 1,022
Improved significantly · 2025The Sir John Colfox Academy
Grades Ages 11–18 · Dorset · Students 756
School remains Good · 2023The Swanage School
Grades Ages 11–16 · Dorset · Students 349
Good · 2023The Thomas Hardye School
Grades Ages 13–18 · Dorset · Students 2,014
Graded, no overall grade · 2025The Woodroffe School
Grades Ages 11–18 · Dorset · Students 886
Good · 2023West Moors Middle School
Grades Ages 9–13 · Dorset · Students 240
Report card · 2026Wey Valley Academy
Grades Ages 11–16 · Dorset · Students 994
Good · 2023
Other / combined 10
Beaucroft Foundation School
Grades Ages 4–19 · Dorset · Students 241
Good · 2023Dorchester Learning Centre
Grades Ages 5–18 · Dorset · Students 54
Good · 2022Harbour School Dorset
Grades Ages 10–19 · Dorset · Students 145
Good · 2023Harbour Vale School
Grades Ages 5–16 · Dorset · Students 23
Good · 2024Mountjoy School
Grades Ages 4–19 · Dorset · Students 112
Good · 2022The Compass
Grades Ages 5–16 · Dorset · Students 46
Standards maintained · 2024The Forum Centre
Grades Ages 5–16 · Dorset · Students 19
Standards maintained · 2025Westfield Arts College
Grades Ages 4–19 · Dorset · Students 233
School remains Outstanding · 2023Wyvern Academy
Grades Ages 2–19 · Dorset · Students 95
Standards maintained · 2024Yewstock School
Grades Ages 2–19 · Dorset · Students 167
School remains Outstanding · 2023
Checklist before renting in this district
Check these before you sign a lease.
Checked the assigned school for the exact address with the official lookup before signing
Source:Department for Education (GOV.UK) (checked 2026-10-31)
Checked each school's admission criteria (distance, siblings, faith) in the council's booklet
Source:GOV.UK (checked 2026-10-31)
Asked the district or council whether boundary or admission changes are planned
Asked whether the assigned school has room (or sends overflow elsewhere)
Checked that the lease is accepted as proof of address on the enrolment list
Source:Department for Education (GOV.UK) (checked 2026-10-31)
Asked how the assigned school supports English learners (ESL/EAL)
Checked the commute (school-bus eligibility, walking route)
ESL / ELL support
Public schools support English learners as ESL/ELL (Canada), EAL/D (Australia) or ESOL (New Zealand). An English assessment at enrolment decides the support; ask the school or board about its programme.
Sources
- Ofsted management information: state-funded schools, latest inspections as at 30 September 20262026· Checked 2026-10-31
School and district lists come from the NCES Common Core of Data; ratings from each state education agency. Every number carries its year. No house prices, crime data or home-made rankings.
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