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Education in Dorset

Unitary authority

The south east of the South West. 391,036 people in 2,491 square kilometres.

2 layers about education for Dorset, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source.

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Schools by council

Worked out by Open Index · 2026

Under 25250 or more

Dorset had 184 open schools in 2026, from nurseries to sixth form colleges.

Number of schools

CouncilGreat Britain only
184
Worked out by Open Index · 2026

Dorset had 184 open schools in 2026, from nurseries to sixth form colleges.

Worked out by Open Index from the school lists of the Department for Education, the Welsh Government and the Scottish Government.

Open in mapSource and method
Number of schools: Dorset among every council350 areas from 1 to 510. The middle area is 68. Dorset is 184.

Schools

Exact pointGreat Britain only

Published as points, so there is no single figure for Dorset. The map shows each one.

Open in mapSource and method

Schools in Dorset

Dorset has 184 open schools: 119 primary, 28 secondary, 1 all-through, 17 special, 1 sixth form and further education, 14 independent and 4 pupil referral and alternative provision.

Outstanding
2
Good
57
Requires improvement
11
Inadequate
0

70 of the 155 schools in Ofsted's file have an overall grade from a graded inspection between September 2019 and July 2024.

26 schools have a report card from the renewed framework (from November 2025), which gives no overall grade.

20 schools had a graded inspection from September 2024, when Ofsted stopped giving an overall grade.

Ofsted says grades from different frameworks can't be compared, and an old grade may not describe a school today. Latest inspections as at 30 September 2026.

Schools rated Outstanding in Dorset

2 schools had Outstanding as the overall grade at their latest graded inspection, which is the date given. A later ungraded inspection, shown in the table, may say more.

Rushcombe First School (November 2022), St Ives Primary & Nursery School (December 2023).

Primary (119)

SchoolTypeAgesPupilsLatest Ofsted inspectionResults (KS2 2024/25)
All Saints Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 11130School remains Good, May 2023
Archbishop Wake Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy converter0 to 11411School remains Good, January 202364% met KS2 standard
Beaminster St Mary's AcademyAcademy sponsor led4 to 11140Good (overall), May 202375% met KS2 standard
Beechcroft St Paul's CofE Primary SchoolAcademy converter2 to 11189Requires improvement (overall), February 202461% met KS2 standard
Bere Regis Primary and PreschoolAcademy sponsor led2 to 11119Graded inspection, June 2025: no overall grade45% met KS2 standard
Bincombe Valley Primary SchoolCommunity school2 to 11291Report card, February 2026: safeguarding met53% met KS2 standard
Blandford St Mary Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy converter2 to 11208Standards maintained, March 202567% met KS2 standard
Bovington AcademyAcademy sponsor led4 to 11180Good (overall), October 202371% met KS2 standard
Bridport Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 11267Good (overall), March 202350% met KS2 standard
Bridport, St Mary's Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 11194Good (overall), June 202452% met KS2 standard
Broadmayne First School and NurseryCommunity school2 to 9139Good (overall), March 2023
Broadwindsor Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolVoluntary controlled school4 to 1193Requires improvement (overall), November 202360% met KS2 standard
Buckland Newton Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy converter2 to 11110Report card, February 2026: safeguarding met71% met KS2 standard
Burton Bradstock Church of England Voluntary Controlled SchoolAcademy converter3 to 1199Standards maintained, December 202464% met KS2 standard
Cerne Abbas CofE VC First SchoolVoluntary controlled school3 to 977Good (overall), July 2023
Charmouth Primary SchoolAcademy sponsor led3 to 1171Report card, June 2026: safeguarding met67% met KS2 standard
Cheselbourne Village SchoolCommunity school3 to 949School remains Good, March 2023
Chickerell Primary AcademyAcademy converter2 to 11420Standards maintained, December 202452% met KS2 standard
Colehill First SchoolAcademy converter5 to 9148Good (overall), March 2023
Conifers Primary SchoolCommunity school4 to 11324Good (overall), November 202269% met KS2 standard
Corfe Castle Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy converter2 to 1187Good (overall), November 202357% met KS2 standard
Cranborne Church of England First SchoolAcademy converter2 to 973Good (overall), October 2023
Damers First SchoolAcademy converter4 to 9475Standards maintained, February 2025
Downlands Community SchoolCommunity school3 to 11201Report card, January 2026: safeguarding met42% met KS2 standard
Dunbury Church of England AcademyAcademy sponsor led2 to 11131School remains Good, January 202345% met KS2 standard
Durweston Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy converter2 to 11144Report card, February 2026: safeguarding met80% met KS2 standard
Ferndown First SchoolAcademy converter4 to 9348School remains Good, November 2023
Frome Valley CofE First SchoolAcademy converter2 to 9141Graded inspection, January 2025: no overall grade
Gillingham Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 11233Report card, January 2026: safeguarding met50% met KS2 standard
Hampreston Church of England Voluntary Aided First SchoolAcademy converter5 to 9134No outcome in Ofsted's file
Hayeswood First SchoolAcademy converter5 to 9148Good (overall), November 2023
Hazelbury Bryan Primary SchoolCommunity school2 to 11114Good (overall), June 202361% met KS2 standard
Henbury View First SchoolAcademy converter5 to 9148Good (overall), November 2023
Hillside Community First SchoolAcademy converter4 to 9221School remains Good, May 2023
Holy Trinity Church of England VC Primary School & Community NurseryVoluntary controlled school2 to 11471Good (overall), March 202472% met KS2 standard
Loders CofE Primary AcademyAcademy sponsor led2 to 1172Standards maintained, November 202450% met KS2 standard
Lulworth and Winfrith CofE Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 1195Graded inspection, January 2025: no overall grade38% met KS2 standard
Lytchett Matravers Primary SchoolAcademy converter2 to 11484Good (overall), June 202368% met KS2 standard
Maiden Newton, Greenford Church of England Primary SchoolVoluntary controlled school4 to 11137Good (overall), March 202463% met KS2 standard
Manor Park Church of England First SchoolAcademy sponsor led2 to 9396Report card, January 2026: safeguarding met
Marshwood CofE Primary AcademyAcademy converter4 to 1143Requires improvement (overall), May 202438% met KS2 standard
Milborne St Andrew First SchoolAcademy converter4 to 943School remains Good, May 2023
Milldown CofE AcademyAcademy converter4 to 11200Good (overall), October 202248% met KS2 standard
Milton-on-Stour Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 11119Good (overall), July 2023, before the school changed39% met KS2 standard
Motcombe CofE Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 11146Good (overall), June 202368% met KS2 standard
Oakhurst Community First SchoolAcademy converter5 to 9173Report card, April 2026: safeguarding met
Pamphill Church of England First SchoolAcademy sponsor led5 to 967Good (overall), September 2023
Parley First SchoolAcademy converter4 to 9313Good (overall), July 2023
Parrett and Axe Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolVoluntary aided school4 to 11132Report card, September 2026: safeguarding met71% met KS2 standard
Piddle Valley Church of England First SchoolAcademy converter2 to 940Good (overall), November 2023
Pimperne Church of England VC Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 11183No outcome in Ofsted's file63% met KS2 standard
Portesham Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy sponsor led4 to 1146Graded inspection, May 2025: no overall grade38% met KS2 standard
Powerstock Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolVoluntary aided school4 to 1133Requires improvement (overall), February 202450% met KS2 standard
Puddletown Church of England First SchoolAcademy converter4 to 9134Graded inspection, June 2025: no overall grade
Radipole Primary SchoolCommunity school4 to 11437School remains Good, July 202360% met KS2 standard
Rushcombe First SchoolCommunity school4 to 9313Outstanding (overall), November 2022
Salway Ash Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolVoluntary aided school5 to 11109Good (overall), September 202360% met KS2 standard
Sandford St Martin's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolVoluntary aided school4 to 11342Good (overall), November 202254% met KS2 standard
Shaftesbury Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 11333Report card, June 2026: safeguarding met44% met KS2 standard
Sherborne Abbey Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 11336Report card, June 2026: safeguarding met48% met KS2 standard
Sherborne Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 11304Report card, January 2026: safeguarding met47% met KS2 standard
Shillingstone Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 11103Good (overall), October 202367% met KS2 standard
Sixpenny Handley First School and NurseryAcademy converter2 to 973School remains Good, April 2023
Southill Primary SchoolCommunity school4 to 11212Good (overall), October 202242% met KS2 standard
Spetisbury CofE Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 11187School remains Good, February 202377% met KS2 standard
St Andrew's Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 1199Report card, March 2026: safeguarding met31% met KS2 standard
St Andrew's Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy sponsor led2 to 11225Some aspects not as strong, May 2025Good (overall), February 202056% met KS2 standard
St Andrew's Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy sponsor led4 to 11101Graded inspection, September 2024: no overall grade
St Augustine's Catholic Primary School, WeymouthAcademy converter4 to 11201Good (overall), March 202445% met KS2 standard
St Catherine's Roman Catholic SchoolAcademy converter5 to 11100Report card, January 2026: safeguarding met30% met KS2 standard
St George's Church of England Primary School, Langton MatraversAcademy converter2 to 1185Good (overall), April 2023, before the school changed67% met KS2 standard
St George's Church of England School, BourtonAcademy converter2 to 11142Graded inspection, May 2025: no overall grade53% met KS2 standard
St George's Foundation Primary SchoolFoundation school4 to 11406Report card, March 2026: safeguarding met46% met KS2 standard
St Gregory's Church of England Primary School, MarnhullAcademy sponsor led4 to 1151Requires improvement (overall), November 2022, before the school changed50% met KS2 standard
St Ives Primary & Nursery SchoolAcademy converter2 to 11245Outstanding (overall), December 202390% met KS2 standard
St James Church of England First SchoolAcademy converter2 to 9134Graded inspection, February 2025: no overall grade
St James' Church of England First School and Nursery, AlderholtAcademy converter2 to 9125School remains Good, March 2023
St John's Church of England First School, WimborneAcademy converter5 to 9148Good (overall), January 2023
St John's Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy converter2 to 11224Good (overall), March 202443% met KS2 standard
St Mary & St Joseph's Catholic Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 1181Requires improvement (overall), February 202446% met KS2 standard
St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy converter2 to 11242School remains Good, February 202359% met KS2 standard
St Mary's Catholic First School, DorchesterAcademy converter2 to 9177School remains Good, January 2023
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, MarnhullAcademy converter2 to 1182Good (overall), May 202367% met KS2 standard
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, SwanageAcademy converter4 to 11175Good (overall), June 202265% met KS2 standard
St Mary's Church of England First School, CharminsterAcademy converter4 to 9148No outcome in Ofsted's file
St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford AbbasAcademy converter4 to 1190Report card, May 2026: safeguarding met44% met KS2 standard
St Mary's CofE First School & NurseryAcademy converter2 to 9148Graded inspection, April 2025: no overall grade
St Michael's CofE Primary School, Lyme RegisAcademy sponsor led2 to 1159Requires improvement (overall), April 2022, before the school changed53% met KS2 standard
St Nicholas and St Laurence Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 11213Graded inspection, June 2025: no overall grade67% met KS2 standard
St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, Child OkefordAcademy converter4 to 11125Report card, March 2026: safeguarding met, requires significant improvement43% met KS2 standard
Stalbridge Church of England Primary SchoolFoundation school4 to 11188School remains Good, March 202365% met KS2 standard
Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolVoluntary aided school5 to 1170Graded inspection, October 2024: no overall grade53% met KS2 standard
Stoborough Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 11195School remains Good, March 202356% met KS2 standard
Stower Provost Community SchoolCommunity school4 to 1192Graded inspection, June 2025: no overall grade40% met KS2 standard
Sturminster Marshall First SchoolCommunity school4 to 949Graded inspection, June 2025: no overall grade
Swanage Primary SchoolAcademy converter2 to 11222Good (overall), November 2019, before the school changed47% met KS2 standard
Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 1189School remains Good, April 202443% met KS2 standard
Symondsbury Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolVoluntary aided school4 to 11107Graded inspection, May 2025: no overall grade67% met KS2 standard
The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, ShaftesburyVoluntary aided school4 to 11201School remains Good, December 202262% met KS2 standard
The Prince of Wales SchoolCommunity school2 to 9156Graded inspection, June 2025: no overall grade
Thorncombe, St Mary's Church of England Primary AcademyAcademy converter2 to 1134Requires improvement (overall), October 2023, before the school changed
Thorner's Church of England School, Litton CheneyVoluntary aided school2 to 11115Graded inspection, September 2024: no overall grade73% met KS2 standard
Thornford CofE Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 11104Graded inspection, November 2024: no overall grade53% met KS2 standard
Three Legged Cross First and Nursery SchoolAcademy converter2 to 984Good (overall), February 2023
Trent Young's CofE Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 11143Standards maintained, November 202495% met KS2 standard
Trinity Church of England First SchoolAcademy converter4 to 9128Graded inspection, March 2025: no overall grade
Upton Infant SchoolAcademy converter4 to 7250School remains Good, January 2023
Upton Junior SchoolAcademy converter7 to 11351Good (overall), February 202347% met KS2 standard
Verwood Church of England First SchoolAcademy converter2 to 9289Good (overall), September 2023
Wareham St Mary Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy converter4 to 11165Report card, July 2026: safeguarding met50% met KS2 standard
William Barnes Primary SchoolCommunity school4 to 11162School remains Good, February 202355% met KS2 standard
Wimborne First School and NurseryAcademy converter2 to 9400Good (overall), July 2024
Wimborne St Giles Church of England First School and NurseryAcademy converter2 to 970School remains Good, May 2023
Winterbourne Valley Church of England Aided First SchoolVoluntary aided school3 to 960Report card, January 2026: safeguarding met
Witchampton Church of England First SchoolAcademy converter5 to 945Good (overall), March 2023
Wool Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy sponsor led2 to 11116Good (overall), October 202346% met KS2 standard
Wyke Primary SchoolAcademy sponsor led4 to 11161Requires improvement (overall), May 2022, before the school changed71% met KS2 standard
Wyke Regis Church of England Junior SchoolVoluntary controlled school7 to 11340Report card, May 2026: safeguarding met65% met KS2 standard
Wyke Regis Infant School and NurseryCommunity school3 to 7220Standards maintained, May 2025

Secondary (28)

SchoolTypeAgesPupilsLatest Ofsted inspectionResults (KS2 2024/25, KS4 2025/26)
All Saints' Church of England AcademyAcademy sponsor led11 to 16598Report card, June 2026: safeguarding metAttainment 8: 37.8
Allenbourn Middle SchoolAcademy converter9 to 13499Graded inspection, January 2025: no overall grade68% met KS2 standard
Beaminster SchoolVoluntary controlled school11 to 18673Good (overall), September 2023Attainment 8: 45.4
Budmouth Academy WeymouthAcademy sponsor led11 to 181,466Requires improvement (overall), March 2024Attainment 8: 40.0
Cranborne Middle SchoolCommunity school9 to 13265Some aspects not as strong, January 202565% met KS2 standard
Dorchester Middle SchoolAcademy converter9 to 13527Report card, June 2026: safeguarding met49% met KS2 standard
Dorset Studio SchoolStudio schools11 to 16332Good (overall), March 2024Attainment 8: 32.0
Emmanuel Church of England Middle SchoolAcademy sponsor led9 to 13434Good (overall), May 202265% met KS2 standard
Ferndown Middle SchoolAcademy converter9 to 13600School remains Good, June 202345% met KS2 standard
Ferndown Upper SchoolCommunity school13 to 191,134Report card, March 2026: safeguarding metAttainment 8: 45.9
Gillingham SchoolAcademy converter11 to 18Good (overall), May 2023, before the school changed
Lockyer's Middle SchoolAcademy converter9 to 13436Good (overall), October 202276% met KS2 standard
Lytchett Minster SchoolFoundation school11 to 191,624School remains Good, February 2023Attainment 8: 47.9
Queen Elizabeth's SchoolAcademy converter13 to 181,375Requires improvement (overall), October 2023Attainment 8: 44.4
Shaftesbury SchoolAcademy converter11 to 18782Good (overall), March 2023Attainment 8: 40.1
St Mary's Church of England Middle School, PuddletownAcademy converter9 to 13441Some aspects not as strong, January 2025Good (overall), September 201961% met KS2 standard
St Michael's Church of England Middle School, ColehillAcademy converter9 to 13563School remains Good, February 202465% met KS2 standard
St Osmund's Church of England Middle SchoolAcademy converter9 to 13714Good (overall), July 202258% met KS2 standard
Sturminster Newton High SchoolAcademy converter11 to 18605Report card, April 2026: safeguarding metAttainment 8: 41.4
The Blandford SchoolVoluntary controlled school11 to 181,103Good (overall), April 2024Attainment 8: 43.2
The Gryphon SchoolAcademy converter11 to 181,569School remains Good, June 2023Attainment 8: 47.4
The Purbeck SchoolAcademy converter11 to 181,022Improved significantly, April 2025Attainment 8: 49.0
The Sir John Colfox AcademyAcademy converter11 to 18756School remains Good, September 2023Attainment 8: 45.9
The Swanage SchoolFree schools11 to 16349Good (overall), November 2023Attainment 8: 43.1
The Thomas Hardye SchoolAcademy converter13 to 182,014Graded inspection, February 2025: no overall gradeAttainment 8: 47.8
The Woodroffe SchoolFoundation school11 to 18886Good (overall), December 2023Attainment 8: 50.0
West Moors Middle SchoolCommunity school9 to 13240Report card, June 2026: safeguarding met49% met KS2 standard
Wey Valley AcademyAcademy converter11 to 16994Good (overall), October 2023Attainment 8: 38.9

All-through (1)

SchoolTypeAgesPupilsLatest Ofsted inspectionResults (KS2 2024/25)
Atlantic Academy PortlandAcademy sponsor led4 to 16769Report card, March 2026: safeguarding met64% met KS2 standard

Special (17)

SchoolTypeAgesPupilsLatest Ofsted inspection
Arbour House SchoolOther independent special school6 to 1839No outcome in Ofsted's file
Aurora Beeches SchoolOther independent special school11 to 1648No outcome in Ofsted's file
Aurora Boveridge CollegeSpecial post 16 institution16 to 25No outcome in Ofsted's file
Beaucroft Foundation SchoolFoundation special school4 to 19241Good (overall), November 2023
Employ My Ability (EMA) LtdSpecial post 16 institution16 to 25No outcome in Ofsted's file
Graduately Developing FuturesOther independent special school6 to 1423No outcome in Ofsted's file
Harbour School DorsetFree schools special10 to 19145Good (overall), October 2023
Kingfisher SchoolOther independent special school6 to 1621No outcome in Ofsted's file
Millie CollegeSpecial post 16 institution16 to 25No outcome in Ofsted's file
Mountjoy SchoolCommunity special school4 to 19112Good (overall), November 2022
Sheiling CollegeSpecial post 16 institution19 to 24No outcome in Ofsted's file
Sheiling SchoolOther independent special school5 to 1943No outcome in Ofsted's file
The Forum SchoolOther independent special school7 to 1931No outcome in Ofsted's file
The Luccombe HubOther independent special school8 to 1826No outcome in Ofsted's file
Westfield Arts CollegeFoundation special school4 to 19233School remains Outstanding, February 2023
Wyvern AcademyAcademy special converter2 to 1995Standards maintained, November 2024
Yewstock SchoolCommunity special school2 to 19167School remains Outstanding, March 2023

Sixth form and further education (1)

SchoolTypeAgesLatest Ofsted inspection
Weymouth and Kingston Maurward CollegeFurther education16 to 99Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file

Independent (14)

SchoolTypeAgesPupilsLatest Ofsted inspection
Bryanston SchoolOther independent school3 to 18776Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Castle Court SchoolOther independent school2 to 13227Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Clayesmore SchoolOther independent school2 to 19414Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Dumpton SchoolOther independent school2 to 13338Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Hanford SchoolOther independent school7 to 1369Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Leweston SchoolOther independent school2 to 19577Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Milton Abbey SchoolOther independent school13 to 19190Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Port Regis Preparatory SchoolOther independent school2 to 13305Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Ringwood Waldorf SchoolOther independent school2 to 19248Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Sherborne Preparatory SchoolOther independent school3 to 14204Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Sherborne SchoolOther independent school13 to 19538Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Sherborne School for GirlsOther independent school11 to 19456Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Sunninghill Preparatory SchoolOther independent school0 to 13167Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file
Yarrells Preparatory SchoolOther independent school0 to 11238Not in Ofsted's state-funded schools file

Pupil referral and alternative provision (4)

SchoolTypeAgesPupilsLatest Ofsted inspection
Dorchester Learning CentrePupil referral unit5 to 1854Good (overall), May 2022
Harbour Vale SchoolAcademy alternative provision sponsor led5 to 1623Good (overall), April 2024
The CompassPupil referral unit5 to 1646Standards maintained, October 2024
The Forum CentrePupil referral unit5 to 1619Standards maintained, January 2025

Ofsted inspects state-funded schools; independent schools and colleges are inspected separately and show no outcome here.

Source: Get Information About Schools (Department for Education), edubasealldata20261015.csv; Ofsted, latest inspections as at 30 September 2026.