Schools in Dorset
184 open schools in this local authority, ranked by their latest Ofsted signal. How the signal works — three inspection systems currently coexist, so treat it as a guide, not a verdict.
Secondary (29)
| School | Ofsted | Ages | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferndown Upper School Community school | Most areas: Strong standard (2026) | 13–19 | — |
| Atlantic Academy Portland Academy sponsor led | Good (2022) · previous system | 4–16 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Beaminster School Voluntary controlled school | Good (2023) · previous system | 11–18 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Dorset Studio School Studio schools | Good (2024) · previous system | 11–16 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Emmanuel Church of England Middle School Academy sponsor led | Good (2022) · previous system | 9–13 | — |
| Ferndown Middle School Academy converter | Good — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 9–13 | — |
| Gillingham School Voluntary controlled school | Good (2023) · previous system | 11–18 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Lockyer's Middle School Academy converter | Good (2022) · previous system | 9–13 | — |
| Lytchett Minster School Foundation school | Good — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 11–19 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Shaftesbury School Academy converter | Good (2023) · previous system | 11–18 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown Academy converter | Good (2019) · previous system | 9–13 | — |
| St Michael's Church of England Middle School, Colehill Academy converter | Good — confirmed 2024 · previous system | 9–13 | — |
| St Osmund's Church of England Middle School Academy converter | Good (2022) · previous system | 9–13 | — |
| Sturminster Newton High School Academy converter | Most areas: Expected standard (2026) | 11–18 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| The Blandford School Voluntary controlled school | Good (2024) · previous system | 11–18 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| The Gryphon School Academy converter | Good — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 11–18 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| The Sir John Colfox Academy Academy converter | Good — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 11–18 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| The Swanage School Free schools | Good (2023) · previous system | 11–16 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| The Woodroffe School Foundation school | Good (2023) · previous system | 11–18 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| West Moors Middle School Community school | Good (2022) · previous system | 9–13 | — |
| Wey Valley Academy Academy converter | Good (2023) · previous system | 11–16 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| All Saints' Church of England Academy Academy sponsor led | Requires improvement (2023) · previous system | 11–16 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Budmouth Academy Weymouth Academy sponsor led | Requires improvement (2024) · previous system | 11–18 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Dorchester Middle School Academy converter | Requires improvement (2023) · previous system | 9–13 | — |
| Queen Elizabeth's School Academy converter | Requires improvement (2023) · previous system | 13–18 | — |
| Allenbourn Middle School Academy converter | No overall grade (2025) | 9–13 | — |
| Cranborne Middle School Community school | Some aspects not as strong (2025) | 9–13 | — |
| The Purbeck School Academy converter | Improved significantly (2025) | 11–18 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| The Thomas Hardye School Academy converter | No overall grade (2025) | 13–18 | — |
Primary (119)
| School | Ofsted | Ages | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durweston Church of England Primary School Academy converter | Most areas: Strong standard (2026) | 3–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Rushcombe First School Community school | Outstanding (2022) · previous system | 4–9 | Oversubscribed (2026 entry) |
| St Ives Primary & Nursery School Academy converter | Outstanding (2023) · previous system | 2–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| All Saints Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Academy converter | Good — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Archbishop Wake Church of England Primary School Academy converter | Good — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 0–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Beaminster St Mary's Academy Academy sponsor led | Good (2023) · previous system | 4–11 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| Bincombe Valley Primary School Community school | Most areas: Expected standard (2026) | 2–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Bovington Academy Academy sponsor led | Good (2023) · previous system | 4–11 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| Bridport Primary School Academy converter | Good (2023) · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Bridport, St Mary's Church of England Primary School Academy converter | Good (2024) · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Broadmayne First School Community school | Good (2023) · previous system | 4–9 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School Academy converter | Most areas: Expected standard (2026) | 2–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School Voluntary controlled school | Good (2023) · previous system | 3–9 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Cheselbourne Village School Community school | Good — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 3–9 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Colehill First School Academy converter | Good (2023) · previous system | 5–9 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Conifers Primary School Community school | Good (2022) · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Corfe Castle Church of England Primary School Academy converter | Good (2023) · previous system | 2–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Cranborne Church of England First School Academy converter | Good (2023) · previous system | 2–9 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| Downlands Community School Community school | Most areas: Expected standard (2026) | 3–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Dunbury Church of England Academy Academy sponsor led | Good — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 2–11 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| Ferndown First School Academy converter | Good — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 4–9 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| Hayeswood First School Academy converter | Good (2023) · previous system | 5–9 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Hazelbury Bryan Primary School Community school | Good (2023) · previous system | 2–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Henbury View First School Academy converter | Good (2023) · previous system | 5–9 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Hillside Community First School Academy converter | Good — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 4–9 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| Holy Trinity Church of England VC Primary School & Community Nursery Voluntary controlled school | Good (2024) · previous system | 2–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Lytchett Matravers Primary School Academy converter | Good (2023) · previous system | 2–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Maiden Newton, Greenford Church of England Primary School Voluntary controlled school | Good (2024) · previous system | 4–11 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| Manor Park Church of England First School Academy sponsor led | Most areas: Expected standard (2026) | 2–9 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Milborne St Andrew First School Academy converter | Good — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 4–9 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Milldown CofE Academy Academy converter | Good (2022) · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Milton-on-Stour Church of England Primary School Academy converter | Good (2023) · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Motcombe CofE Primary School Academy converter | Good (2023) · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Oakhurst Community First School Academy converter | Most areas: Expected standard (2026) | 5–9 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Pamphill Church of England First School Academy sponsor led | Good (2023) · previous system | 5–9 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Parley First School Academy converter | Good (2023) · previous system | 4–9 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Parrett and Axe Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Voluntary aided school | Good — confirmed 2022 · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Piddle Valley Church of England First School Academy converter | Good (2023) · previous system | 2–9 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| Radipole Primary School Community school | Good — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Salway Ash Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Voluntary aided school | Good (2023) · previous system | 5–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Sandford St Martin's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Voluntary aided school | Good (2022) · previous system | 4–11 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| Shaftesbury Church of England Primary School Academy converter | Good (2022) · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Sherborne Abbey Church of England Primary School Academy converter | Good — confirmed 2021 · previous system | 4–11 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| Sherborne Primary School Academy converter | Most areas: Expected standard (2026) | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Shillingstone Church of England Primary School Academy converter | Good (2023) · previous system | 4–11 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| Sixpenny Handley First School and Nursery Academy converter | Good — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 2–9 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Southill Primary School Community school | Good (2022) · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Spetisbury CofE Primary School Academy converter | Good — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 4–11 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| St Andrew's Church of England Primary School Academy sponsor led | Good (2020) · previous system | 3–11 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| St Augustine's Catholic Primary School, Weymouth Academy converter | Good (2024) · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| St George's Church of England Primary School, Langton Matravers Academy converter | Good (2023) · previous system | 2–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| St George's Foundation Primary School Foundation school | Most areas: Expected standard (2026) | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| St James' Church of England First School and Nursery, Alderholt Academy converter | Good — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 2–9 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| St John's Church of England First School, Wimborne Academy converter | Good (2023) · previous system | 5–9 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| St John's Church of England Primary School Academy converter | Good (2024) · previous system | 2–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School Academy converter | Good — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 2–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester Academy converter | Good — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 2–9 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Marnhull Academy converter | Good (2023) · previous system | 2–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage Academy converter | Good (2022) · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford Abbas Academy converter | Most areas: Expected standard (2026) | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Stalbridge Church of England Primary School Foundation school | Good — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Stoborough Church of England Primary School Academy converter | Good — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Swanage Primary School Academy converter | Good (2019) · previous system | 2–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary School Academy converter | Good — confirmed 2024 · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury Voluntary aided school | Good — confirmed 2022 · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Three Legged Cross First and Nursery School Academy converter | Good (2023) · previous system | 2–9 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| Upton Infant School Academy converter | Good — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 4–7 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| Upton Junior School Academy converter | Good (2023) · previous system | 7–11 | — |
| Verwood Church of England First School Academy converter | Good (2023) · previous system | 2–9 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Wareham St Mary Church of England Primary School Academy converter | Good (2022) · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| William Barnes Primary School Community school | Good — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Wimborne First School and Nursery Academy converter | Good (2024) · previous system | 2–9 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Wimborne St Giles Church of England First School and Nursery Academy converter | Good — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 2–9 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Winterbourne Valley Church of England Aided First School Voluntary aided school | Most areas: Expected standard (2026) | 3–9 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| Witchampton Church of England First School Academy converter | Good (2023) · previous system | 5–9 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| Wool Church of England Primary School Academy sponsor led | Good (2023) · previous system | 2–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Wyke Regis Church of England Junior School Voluntary controlled school | Good (2022) · previous system | 7–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2025 entry) |
| Beechcroft St Paul's CofE Primary School Academy converter | Requires improvement (2024) · previous system | 2–11 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| Broadwindsor Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Voluntary controlled school | Requires improvement (2023) · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Charmouth Primary School Academy sponsor led | Requires improvement (2022) · previous system | 3–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Gillingham Primary School Academy converter | Most areas: Needs attention (2026) | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Marshwood CofE Primary Academy Academy converter | Requires improvement (2024) · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Powerstock Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Voluntary aided school | Requires improvement (2024) · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| St Andrew's Church of England Primary School Academy converter | Most areas: Needs attention (2026) | 4–11 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| St Catherine's Roman Catholic School Academy converter | Most areas: Needs attention (2026) | 5–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| St Gregory's Church of England Primary School, Marnhull Academy sponsor led | Requires improvement (2022) · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| St Mary & St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Academy converter | Requires improvement (2024) · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| St Michael's CofE Primary School, Lyme Regis Academy sponsor led | Requires improvement (2022) · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, Child Okeford Academy converter | Most areas: Needs attention (2026) | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Thorncombe, St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy Academy converter | Requires improvement (2023) · previous system | 2–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Wyke Primary School Academy sponsor led | Requires improvement (2022) · previous system | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Bere Regis Primary and Preschool Academy sponsor led | No overall grade (2025) | 2–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Blandford St Mary Church of England Primary School Academy converter | Standards maintained (2025) | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Burton Bradstock Church of England Voluntary Controlled School Academy converter | Standards maintained (2024) | 3–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Chickerell Primary Academy Academy converter | Standards maintained (2024) | 2–11 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| Damers First School Academy converter | Standards maintained (2025) | 4–9 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| Frome Valley CofE First School Academy converter | No overall grade (2025) | 2–9 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Hampreston Church of England Voluntary Aided First School Academy converter | No Ofsted rating | 5–9 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| Loders CofE Primary Academy Academy sponsor led | Standards maintained (2024) | 2–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Lulworth and Winfrith CofE Primary School Academy converter | No overall grade (2025) | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Pimperne Church of England VC Primary School Academy converter | No Ofsted rating | 4–11 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| Portesham Church of England Primary School Academy sponsor led | No overall grade (2025) | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Puddletown Church of England First School Academy converter | No overall grade (2025) | 4–9 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| St Andrew's Church of England Primary School Academy sponsor led | No overall grade (2024) | 4–11 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| St George's Church of England School, Bourton Academy converter | No overall grade (2025) | 2–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| St James Church of England First School Academy converter | No overall grade (2025) | 2–9 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| St Mary's Church of England First School, Charminster Academy converter | No Ofsted rating | 4–9 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery Academy converter | No overall grade (2025) | 2–9 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| St Nicholas and St Laurence Church of England Primary School Academy converter | No overall grade (2025) | 4–11 | Oversubscribed (2026 entry) |
| Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Voluntary aided school | No overall grade (2024) | 5–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Stower Provost Community School Community school | No overall grade (2025) | 4–11 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| Sturminster Marshall First School Community school | No overall grade (2025) | 4–9 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| Symondsbury Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Voluntary aided school | No overall grade (2025) | 4–11 | Usually has places available (2026 entry) |
| The Prince of Wales School Community school | No overall grade (2025) | 2–9 | Oversubscribed (2026 entry) |
| Thorner's Church of England School, Litton Cheney Voluntary aided school | No overall grade (2024) | 2–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Thornford CofE Primary School Academy converter | No overall grade (2024) | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Trent Young's CofE Primary School Academy converter | Standards maintained (2024) | 4–11 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Trinity Church of England First School Academy converter | No overall grade (2025) | 4–9 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
| Wyke Regis Infant School and Nursery Community school | Standards maintained (2025) | 3–7 | Roughly one first choice per place (2026 entry) |
Nursery, special & other (36)
| School | Ofsted | Ages | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westfield Arts College Foundation special school | Outstanding — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 4–19 | — |
| Yewstock School Community special school | Outstanding — confirmed 2023 · previous system | 2–19 | — |
| Beaucroft Foundation School Foundation special school | Good (2023) · previous system | 4–19 | — |
| Dorchester Learning Centre Pupil referral unit | Good (2022) · previous system | 5–18 | — |
| Harbour School Dorset Free schools special | Good (2023) · previous system | 10–19 | — |
| Harbour Vale School Academy alternative provision sponsor led | Good (2024) · previous system | 5–16 | — |
| Mountjoy School Community special school | Good (2022) · previous system | 4–19 | — |
| Arbour House School Other independent special school | No Ofsted rating | 6–18 | — |
| Aurora Beeches School Other independent special school | No Ofsted rating | 11–16 | — |
| Aurora Boveridge College Special post 16 institution | No Ofsted rating | 16–25 | — |
| Bryanston School Other independent school | No Ofsted rating | 3–18 | — |
| Castle Court School Other independent school | No Ofsted rating | 2–13 | — |
| Clayesmore School Other independent school | No Ofsted rating | 2–19 | — |
| Coastland College Further education | No Ofsted rating | 16+ | — |
| Dumpton School Other independent school | No Ofsted rating | 2–13 | — |
| Employ My Ability (EMA) Ltd Special post 16 institution | No Ofsted rating | 16–25 | — |
| Graduately Developing Futures Other independent special school | No Ofsted rating | 6–14 | — |
| Hanford School Other independent school | No Ofsted rating | 7–13 | — |
| Kingfisher School Other independent special school | No Ofsted rating | 6–16 | — |
| Leweston School Other independent school | No Ofsted rating | 2–19 | — |
| Millie College Special post 16 institution | No Ofsted rating | 16–25 | — |
| Milton Abbey School Other independent school | No Ofsted rating | 13–19 | — |
| Port Regis Preparatory School Other independent school | No Ofsted rating | 2–13 | — |
| Ringwood Waldorf School Other independent school | No Ofsted rating | 2–19 | — |
| Sheiling College Special post 16 institution | No Ofsted rating | 19–24 | — |
| Sheiling School Other independent special school | No Ofsted rating | 5–19 | — |
| Sherborne Preparatory School Other independent school | No Ofsted rating | 3–14 | — |
| Sherborne School Other independent school | No Ofsted rating | 13–19 | — |
| Sherborne School for Girls Other independent school | No Ofsted rating | 11–19 | — |
| Sunninghill Preparatory School Other independent school | No Ofsted rating | 2–13 | — |
| The Compass Pupil referral unit | Standards maintained (2024) | 5–16 | — |
| The Forum Centre Pupil referral unit | Standards maintained (2025) | 5–16 | — |
| The Forum School Other independent special school | No Ofsted rating | 7–19 | — |
| The Luccombe Hub Other independent special school | No Ofsted rating | 8–18 | — |
| Wyvern Academy Academy special converter | Standards maintained (2024) | 2–19 | — |
| Yarrells Preparatory School Other independent school | No Ofsted rating | 0–11 | — |
“Demand” is first-choice applications against places at the latest entry year — admission criteria, not demand, decide offers. Data: DfE & Ofsted open data (OGL v3) — sources.