Schools by area › Dorset
Schools in Dorset
Ofsted outcomes in Dorset
The latest inspection outcome of each of the 184 schools, counted by the framework it was inspected under.
641320263919
| Latest outcome on file | Share of all 184 schools | Schools |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 framework: Outstanding | 32% | |
| 2019 framework: Good | 6435% | |
| 2019 framework: Requires improvement | 137% | |
| 2019 framework: no overall grade (not judged) | 2011% | |
| Report card (from November 2025; graded by area, no overall grade) | 2614% | |
| Ungraded inspection only | 3921% | |
| No Ofsted outcome on file (includes independent schools inspected by ISI) | 1910% |
Exam results in Dorset
At the end of key stage 2 in 2024/25, 57% of pupils in Dorset reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, against 62% across England.
The average Attainment 8 score at GCSE in 2024/25 was 43.2 in Dorset, against 46 across England.
Secondary schools in Dorset
| School | Type | Latest Ofsted outcome |
|---|---|---|
| All Saints' Church of England Academy | Academy | Report card · Jun 2026 |
| Allenbourn Middle School | Academy | No overall grade · Jan 2025 |
| Aurora Beeches School | Independent | Good · Jan 2024 |
| Beaminster School | Voluntary controlled | Good · Sept 2023 |
| Budmouth Academy Weymouth | Academy | Requires improvement · Mar 2024 |
| Cranborne Middle School | Community | Some aspects not as strong · Jan 2025 |
| Dorchester Middle School | Academy | Report card · Jun 2026 |
| Dorset Studio School | Studio | Good · Mar 2024 |
| Emmanuel Church of England Middle School | Academy | Good · May 2022 |
| Ferndown Middle School | Academy | Good · Jun 2023 |
| Ferndown Upper School | Community | Report card · Mar 2026 |
| Gillingham School | Academy | Good · May 2023 |
| Harbour School Dorset | Special free | Good · Oct 2023 |
| Lockyer's Middle School | Academy | Good · Oct 2022 |
| Lytchett Minster School | Foundation | Good · Feb 2023 |
| Milton Abbey School | Independent | No outcome on file |
| Queen Elizabeth's School | Academy | Requires improvement · Oct 2023 |
| Shaftesbury School | Academy | Good · Mar 2023 |
| Sherborne School | Independent | No outcome on file |
| Sherborne School for Girls | Independent | No outcome on file |
| St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown | Academy | Good · Jan 2025 · Some aspects not as strong |
| St Michael's Church of England Middle School, Colehill | Academy | Good · Feb 2024 |
| St Osmund's Church of England Middle School | Academy | Good · Jul 2022 |
| Sturminster Newton High School | Academy | Report card · Apr 2026 |
| The Blandford School | Voluntary controlled | Good · Apr 2024 |
| The Gryphon School | Academy | Good · Jun 2023 |
| The Purbeck School | Academy | Improved significantly · Apr 2025 |
| The Sir John Colfox Academy | Academy | Good · Sept 2023 |
| The Swanage School | Free | Good · Nov 2023 |
| The Thomas Hardye School | Academy | No overall grade · Feb 2025 |
| The Woodroffe School | Foundation | Good · Dec 2023 |
| West Moors Middle School | Community | Report card · Jun 2026 |
| Wey Valley Academy | Academy | Good · Oct 2023 |
All-through schools in Dorset
| School | Type | Latest Ofsted outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Arbour House School | Independent | Outstanding · Jun 2025 |
| Atlantic Academy Portland | Academy | Report card · Mar 2026 |
| Beaucroft Foundation School | Special | Good · Nov 2023 |
| Bryanston School | Independent | No outcome on file |
| Clayesmore School | Independent | No outcome on file |
| Dorchester Learning Centre | Pupil referral unit | Good · May 2022 |
| Graduately Developing Futures | Independent | Good · Jun 2025 |
| Harbour Vale School | Alternative provision | Good · Apr 2024 |
| Kingfisher School | Independent | No outcome on file |
| Leweston School | Independent | No outcome on file |
| Mountjoy School | Special | Good · Nov 2022 |
| Ringwood Waldorf School | Independent | Good · May 2025 |
| Sheiling School | Independent | Good · Nov 2024 |
| Sherborne Preparatory School | Independent | No outcome on file |
| The Compass | Pupil referral unit | Standards maintained · Oct 2024 |
| The Forum Centre | Pupil referral unit | Standards maintained · Jan 2025 |
| The Forum School | Independent | Requires improvement · Oct 2024 |
| The Luccombe Hub | Independent | No outcome on file |
| Westfield Arts College | Special | Outstanding · Feb 2023 |
| Wyvern Academy | Special academy | Standards maintained · Nov 2024 |
| Yewstock School | Special | Outstanding · Mar 2023 |
Sixth forms and colleges (16+) in Dorset
| School | Type | Latest Ofsted outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora Boveridge College | Special post-16 | Good · Oct 2022 |
| Employ My Ability (EMA) Ltd | Special post-16 | Requires improvement · Sept 2023 |
| Millie College | Special post-16 | No outcome on file |
| Sheiling College | Special post-16 | Good · Dec 2014 |
| Weymouth and Kingston Maurward College | College | Good · May 2025 |