Schools by area › Dorset › Gillingham School
Gillingham School
Secondary · Mixed · Ages 11–18 · Academy
Hardings Lane, Gillingham SP8 4QP · gillingham-dorset.co.uk · 01747 822222
Overview
- Ofsted
- Good
- 2019 framework · inspected May 2023
- GCSEs, 2024/25
- 42.7
- average Attainment 8 score. Dorset 43.2, England 46
- Last distance offered
- 6.96 mi
- 11.20 km · Year 7, September 2026 entry · Dorset Council
- Demand for places
- 1.1
- first choices for each place · Year 7, September 2026
- Capacity
- 1,850
- Local authority
- Dorset
- Sixth form
- Yes
- Admissions
- Non-selective
The official school record (Department for Education)
Admissions
For Year 7 in September 2026, the last place offered on distance went to a home 6.96 mi (11.20 km) from the school. Source: Dorset Council’s document.
For Year 7 in September 2026, 284 families put the school first and 265 places were offered; 92% of those families were offered a place there. Admission depends on the school’s own rules.
Demand for places
First choices against places
Published for the predecessor school (URN 113882)
| Year 7 | Places | First choices | Per place | % offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026Sept 2026 | 265 | 284 | 1.1▲ | 92% |
| September 2025Sept 2025 | 253 | 244 | 1 | 100% |
| September 2024Sept 2024 | 264 | 265 | 1▲ | 97% |
| September 2023Sept 2023 | 252 | 247 | 1 | 100% |
| September 2022Sept 2022 | 280 | 277 | 1 | 98% |
Last distance offered
| Year 7 | Distance | |
|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | 6.96 mi11.20 km | |
The last place was offered to a child in this criterion, at this distance (the council's sheet for the school).
Results
In 2024/25 the average Attainment 8 score at GCSE was 42.7, and 42.4% of pupils got grade 5 or above in English and maths. Across Dorset it was 43.2, and across England 46.
In 2024/25 the average A level result was grade C (31.5 points per entry).
GCSE results
Attainment 8
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▼42.7 | 46.0 | ||
| ▼42.4% | 45.4% | ||
| ▼62.1% | 64.8% | ||
| ▲64.0% | 40.5% | ||
| ▼3.84 | 4.09 |
Some years are for the predecessor school (URN 113882)
Where Year 11 leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| School sixth form | 48.2 | −12.9 |
| Sixth form college | 0.7 | — |
| Further education | 34.4 | +12.2 |
| Apprenticeship | 4.6 | +1.7 |
| Employment | 2.8 | −1.2 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 6 | +0.2 |
| Activity not captured | 3.2 | +0.7 |
Published for the predecessor school (URN 113882)
A levels and other 16 to 18 results
A level average grade
| 2024/25 | Trend | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 142 students | C (31.5) | Above average +0.15 | |
| 142 students | C+ (31.7) | Above average +0.16 | |
| 35 students | Dist- (30.8) | Average +0.10 |
| Earlier years: A level | Students | Average grade | Progress |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 161 | C+ (32.8) | +0.04 |
| 2022/23 | 163 | C (30.5) | — |
| 2021/22 | 164 | C+ (33.9) | — |
| 2018/19 | 165 | C (31.6) | +0.14 |
| 2017/18 | 151 | C+ (32.2) | +0.27 |
| 2016/17 | 192 | C (29.7) | +0.02 |
| 2015/16 | 188 | C (31.2) | +0.14 |
Published for the predecessor school (URN 113882)
Where sixth-form leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| University | 34.8 | +2 |
| Further education | 1.7 | −3.9 |
| Apprenticeship | 5.6 | +0.5 |
| Employment | 34.8 | −7 |
| Not in a lasting destination | 14.6 | +4.4 |
| Activity not captured | 8.4 | +3.9 |
Published for the predecessor school (URN 113882)
Ofsted
Gillingham School was judged Good at its last graded inspection, on 10 May 2023, under Ofsted’s 2019 framework.
- Overall
- Good
- Inspected
- 10 May 2023
- Graded inspection
Safeguarding effectiveInspection reports
Inspection of the predecessor school (URN 113882)
Graded areas
| Quality of education | Good |
|---|---|
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form | Good |
Previously: Good, graded inspection, Sept 2012
Earlier inspections
Including inspections of the predecessor school (URN 113882), which Ofsted links to this one.
Before September 2019
Sept 2012Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Leadership and management Good Inspection of the predecessor school (URN 113882)
Apr 2009Outstanding
Outcomes for pupils Outstanding Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Outstanding Leadership and management Outstanding 16 to 19 study programmes Outstanding Inspection of the predecessor school (URN 113882)