School WiselyBeta

Schools in Dorset[1]

Local authority district E06000059 · 179 open schools[2]

Open in the map

Neighbourhood deprivation

The district's 223 neighbourhoods (2021 LSOAs)[3] by their place in England's Index of Multiple Deprivation, in fifths of all neighbourhoods (1 in 5 of England's neighbourhoods is in each fifth):

Index of Multiple Deprivation 2025 deciles grouped in pairs; it describes the neighbourhoods, not the pupils who attend the district's schools.

By kind of deprivation

The share of the district's neighbourhoods in each fifth of England's on each part of the index (the most deprived 20% are deciles 1 and 2, where 1 is the most deprived 10% of England's neighbourhoods):

Measure Most deprived 20% Second Middle Fourth Least deprived 20%
Income 3%[4] 15%[4] 31%[4] 30%[4] 21%[4]
Employment 5%[4] 19%[4] 28%[4] 31%[4] 16%[4]
Education and skills 9%[4] 18%[4] 38%[4] 29%[4] 6%[4]
Health and disability 4%[4] 13%[4] 20%[4] 37%[4] 27%[4]
Crime 3%[4] 8%[4] 20%[4] 27%[4] 41%[4]
Housing and services 39%[4] 25%[4] 19%[4] 13%[4] 4%[4]
Living environment 16%[4] 16%[4] 14%[4] 16%[4] 38%[4]
Children in low-income families 4%[4] 22%[4] 34%[4] 25%[4] 15%[4]

English Indices of Deprivation 2025. Income: People on low incomes: out of work, or in work on low pay, and receiving benefits or tax credits. Employment: Working-age people out of work through unemployment, sickness, disability or caring. Education and skills: Low attainment and skills: children's results and staying on in education, adults' qualifications and English. Health and disability: Risk of early death and of a poorer quality of life through ill health or disability. Crime: Risk of personal and material victimisation: recorded violence, burglary, theft and criminal damage. Housing and services: Barriers to housing and services: distance to a GP, school, shop and post office, and housing that is unaffordable, overcrowded or hard to get. Living environment: The quality of the local environment: housing in poor condition or without central heating, air quality and road accidents. Children in low-income families: Children aged 0–15 living in income-deprived families (the IDACI, part of the income measure).

Census 2021

Shares in the district's neighbourhoods together, on census day (21 March 2021):

Households that own their home: Households that own their home outright or with a mortgage or loan (shared ownership not included), of all households. Adults with a degree or similar: Residents aged 16 and over whose highest qualification is Level 4 or above (a degree, HND, NVQ level 4 or higher), of all residents aged 16 and over. Adults in higher managerial and professional jobs: Residents aged 16 and over in higher managerial, administrative and professional occupations (NS-SEC classes 1–3, by their current or most recent job), of all residents aged 16 and over.

Secondary schools (29)

SchoolAgesHeadline results
All Saints' Church of England Academy 11–16[2]
A8 38 2025/26[8]
Allenbourn Middle School 9–13[2]
KS2 68% 2024/25[9]
Atlantic Academy Portland 4–16[2]
A8 38 2025/26[8] KS2 64% 2024/25[9]
Beaminster School 11–18[2]
A8 45 2025/26[8] AL C- 2024/25[10]
Budmouth Academy Weymouth 11–18[2]
A8 40 2025/26[8] AL C- 2024/25[10]
Cranborne Middle School 9–13[2]
KS2 65% 2024/25[9]
Dorchester Middle School 9–13[2]
KS2 49% 2024/25[9]
Dorset Studio School 11–16[2]
A8 32 2025/26[8]
Emmanuel Church of England Middle School 9–13[2]
KS2 65% 2024/25[9]
Ferndown Middle School 9–13[2]
KS2 45% 2024/25[9]
Ferndown Upper School 13–19[2]
A8 46 2025/26[8] AL C+ 2024/25[10]
Gillingham School 11–18[2]
Lockyer's Middle School 9–13[2]
KS2 76% 2024/25[9]
Lytchett Minster School 11–19[2]
A8 48 2025/26[8] AL B- 2024/25[10]
Queen Elizabeth's School 13–18[2]
A8 44 2025/26[8] AL C 2024/25[10]
Shaftesbury School 11–18[2]
A8 40 2025/26[8] AL C- 2024/25[10]
St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown 9–13[2]
KS2 61% 2024/25[9]
St Michael's Church of England Middle School, Colehill 9–13[2]
KS2 65% 2024/25[9]
St Osmund's Church of England Middle School 9–13[2]
KS2 58% 2024/25[9]
Sturminster Newton High School 11–18[2]
A8 41 2025/26[8] AL C 2024/25[10]
The Blandford School 11–18[2]
A8 43 2025/26[8] AL B- 2024/25[10]
The Gryphon School 11–18[2]
A8 47 2025/26[8] AL B- 2024/25[10]
The Purbeck School 11–18[2]
A8 49 2025/26[8] AL C 2024/25[10]
The Sir John Colfox Academy 11–18[2]
A8 46 2025/26[8] AL D+ 2024/25[10]
The Swanage School 11–16[2]
A8 43 2025/26[8]
The Thomas Hardye School 13–18[2]
A8 48 2025/26[8] AL C+ 2024/25[10]
The Woodroffe School 11–18[2]
A8 50 2025/26[8] AL C+ 2024/25[10]
West Moors Middle School 9–13[2]
KS2 49% 2024/25[9]
Wey Valley Academy 11–16[2]
A8 39 2025/26[8]

Primary schools (119)

SchoolAgesHeadline results
All Saints Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School 4–11[2]
Archbishop Wake Church of England Primary School 0–11[2]
KS2 64% 2024/25[9]
Beaminster St Mary's Academy 4–11[2]
KS2 75% 2024/25[9]
Beechcroft St Paul's CofE Primary School 2–11[2]
KS2 61% 2024/25[9]
Bere Regis Primary and Preschool 2–11[2]
KS2 45% 2024/25[9]
Bincombe Valley Primary School 2–11[2]
KS2 53% 2024/25[9]
Blandford St Mary Church of England Primary School 2–11[2]
KS2 67% 2024/25[9]
Bovington Academy 4–11[2]
KS2 71% 2024/25[9]
Bridport Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 50% 2024/25[9]
Bridport, St Mary's Church of England Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 52% 2024/25[9]
Broadmayne First School and Nursery 2–9[2]
Broadwindsor Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 60% 2024/25[9]
Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School 2–11[2]
KS2 71% 2024/25[9]
Burton Bradstock Church of England Voluntary Controlled School 3–11[2]
KS2 64% 2024/25[9]
Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School 3–9[2]
Charmouth Primary School 3–11[2]
KS2 67% 2024/25[9]
Cheselbourne Village School 3–9[2]
Chickerell Primary Academy 2–11[2]
KS2 52% 2024/25[9]
Colehill First School 5–9[2]
Conifers Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 69% 2024/25[9]
Corfe Castle Church of England Primary School 2–11[2]
KS2 57% 2024/25[9]
Cranborne Church of England First School 2–9[2]
Damers First School 4–9[2]
Downlands Community School 3–11[2]
KS2 42% 2024/25[9]
Dunbury Church of England Academy 2–11[2]
KS2 45% 2024/25[9]
Durweston Church of England Primary School 2–11[2]
KS2 80% 2024/25[9]
Ferndown First School 4–9[2]
Frome Valley CofE First School 2–9[2]
Gillingham Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 50% 2024/25[9]
Hampreston Church of England Voluntary Aided First School 5–9[2]
Hayeswood First School 5–9[2]
Hazelbury Bryan Primary School 2–11[2]
KS2 61% 2024/25[9]
Henbury View First School 5–9[2]
Hillside Community First School 4–9[2]
Holy Trinity Church of England VC Primary School & Community Nursery 2–11[2]
KS2 72% 2024/25[9]
Loders CofE Primary Academy 2–11[2]
KS2 50% 2024/25[9]
Lulworth and Winfrith CofE Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 38% 2024/25[9]
Lytchett Matravers Primary School 2–11[2]
KS2 68% 2024/25[9]
Maiden Newton, Greenford Church of England Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 63% 2024/25[9]
Manor Park Church of England First School 2–9[2]
Marshwood CofE Primary Academy 4–11[2]
KS2 38% 2024/25[9]
Milborne St Andrew First School 4–9[2]
Milldown CofE Academy 4–11[2]
KS2 48% 2024/25[9]
Milton-on-Stour Church of England Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 39% 2024/25[9]
Motcombe CofE Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 68% 2024/25[9]
Oakhurst Community First School 5–9[2]
Pamphill Church of England First School 5–9[2]
Parley First School 4–9[2]
Parrett and Axe Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 71% 2024/25[9]
Piddle Valley Church of England First School 2–9[2]
Pimperne Church of England VC Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 63% 2024/25[9]
Portesham Church of England Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 38% 2024/25[9]
Powerstock Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 50% 2024/25[9]
Puddletown Church of England First School 4–9[2]
Radipole Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 60% 2024/25[9]
Rushcombe First School 4–9[2]
Salway Ash Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School 5–11[2]
KS2 60% 2024/25[9]
Sandford St Martin's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 54% 2024/25[9]
Shaftesbury Church of England Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 44% 2024/25[9]
Sherborne Abbey Church of England Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 48% 2024/25[9]
Sherborne Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 47% 2024/25[9]
Shillingstone Church of England Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 67% 2024/25[9]
Sixpenny Handley First School and Nursery 2–9[2]
Southill Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 42% 2024/25[9]
Spetisbury CofE Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 77% 2024/25[9]
St Andrew's Church of England Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 31% 2024/25[9]
St Andrew's Church of England Primary School 2–11[2]
KS2 56% 2024/25[9]
St Andrew's Church of England Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 80% 2023/24[11]
St Augustine's Catholic Primary School, Weymouth 4–11[2]
KS2 45% 2024/25[9]
St Catherine's Roman Catholic School 5–11[2]
KS2 30% 2024/25[9]
St George's Church of England Primary School, Langton Matravers 2–11[2]
KS2 67% 2024/25[9]
St George's Church of England School, Bourton 2–11[2]
KS2 53% 2024/25[9]
St George's Foundation Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 46% 2024/25[9]
St Gregory's Church of England Primary School, Marnhull 4–11[2]
KS2 50% 2024/25[9]
St Ives Primary & Nursery School 2–11[2]
KS2 90% 2024/25[9]
St James Church of England First School 2–9[2]
St James' Church of England First School and Nursery, Alderholt 2–9[2]
St John's Church of England First School, Wimborne 5–9[2]
St John's Church of England Primary School 2–11[2]
KS2 43% 2024/25[9]
St Mary & St Joseph's Catholic Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 46% 2024/25[9]
St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School 2–11[2]
KS2 59% 2024/25[9]
St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester 2–9[2]
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Marnhull 2–11[2]
KS2 67% 2024/25[9]
St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage 4–11[2]
KS2 65% 2024/25[9]
St Mary's Church of England First School, Charminster 4–9[2]
St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford Abbas 4–11[2]
KS2 44% 2024/25[9]
St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery 2–9[2]
St Michael's CofE Primary School, Lyme Regis 2–11[2]
KS2 53% 2024/25[9]
St Nicholas and St Laurence Church of England Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 67% 2024/25[9]
St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, Child Okeford 4–11[2]
KS2 43% 2024/25[9]
Stalbridge Church of England Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 65% 2024/25[9]
Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School 5–11[2]
KS2 53% 2024/25[9]
Stoborough Church of England Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 56% 2024/25[9]
Stower Provost Community School 4–11[2]
KS2 40% 2024/25[9]
Sturminster Marshall First School 4–9[2]
Swanage Primary School 2–11[2]
KS2 47% 2024/25[9]
Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 43% 2024/25[9]
Symondsbury Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 67% 2024/25[9]
The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury 4–11[2]
KS2 62% 2024/25[9]
The Prince of Wales School 2–9[2]
Thorncombe, St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy 2–11[2]
Thorner's Church of England School, Litton Cheney 2–11[2]
KS2 73% 2024/25[9]
Thornford CofE Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 53% 2024/25[9]
Three Legged Cross First and Nursery School 2–9[2]
Trent Young's CofE Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 95% 2024/25[9]
Trinity Church of England First School 4–9[2]
Upton Infant School 4–7[2]
Upton Junior School 7–11[2]
KS2 47% 2024/25[9]
Verwood Church of England First School 2–9[2]
Wareham St Mary Church of England Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 50% 2024/25[9]
William Barnes Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 55% 2024/25[9]
Wimborne First School and Nursery 2–9[2]
Wimborne St Giles Church of England First School and Nursery 2–9[2]
Winterbourne Valley Church of England Aided First School 3–9[2]
Witchampton Church of England First School 5–9[2]
Wool Church of England Primary School 2–11[2]
KS2 46% 2024/25[9]
Wyke Primary School 4–11[2]
KS2 71% 2024/25[9]
Wyke Regis Church of England Junior School 7–11[2]
KS2 65% 2024/25[9]
Wyke Regis Infant School and Nursery 3–7[2]

Independent schools (14)

SchoolAgesHeadline results
Bryanston School 3–18[2]
AL B 2024/25[10]
Castle Court School 2–13[2]
Clayesmore School 2–19[2]
AL C+ 2024/25[10]
Dumpton School 2–13[2]
Hanford School 7–13[2]
Leweston School 2–19[2]
AL B- 2024/25[10]
Milton Abbey School 13–19[2]
AL D+ 2024/25[10]
Port Regis Preparatory School 2–13[2]
Ringwood Waldorf School 2–19[2]
Sherborne Preparatory School 3–14[2]
Sherborne School 13–19[2]
AL B- 2024/25[10]
Sherborne School for Girls 11–19[2]
AL B 2024/25[10]
Sunninghill Preparatory School 0–13[2]
Yarrells Preparatory School 0–11[2]

Special schools and alternative provision (17)

SchoolAgesHeadline results
Arbour House School 6–18[2]
Aurora Beeches School 11–16[2]
Beaucroft Foundation School 4–19[2]
Dorchester Learning Centre 5–18[2]
Graduately Developing Futures 6–14[2]
Harbour School Dorset 10–19[2]
Harbour Vale School 5–16[2]
Kingfisher School 6–16[2]
Mountjoy School 4–19[2]
Sheiling School 5–19[2]
The Compass 5–16[2]
The Forum Centre 5–16[2]
The Forum School 7–19[2]
The Luccombe Hub 8–18[2]
Westfield Arts College 4–19[2]
Wyvern Academy 2–19[2]
Yewstock School 2–19[2]

Sources

  1. Office for National Statistics: Parish to Ward to Local Authority District (May 2026) Lookup in EW. Period 2026-05-01. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  2. Department for Education: Get Information About Schools: all establishments. Period 2026-10-14, published 2026-10-14. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  3. Office for National Statistics: LSOA (2021) to Electoral Ward (2026) to LAD (2026) Best Fit Lookup in EW. Period 2026-05-07. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  4. Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government: English Indices of Deprivation. Period 2025. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  5. Office for National Statistics: Census 2021: TS054 Tenure. Period 2021-03-21, final, published 2023-01-06. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  6. Office for National Statistics: Census 2021: TS067 Highest level of qualification. Period 2021-03-21, final, published 2023-01-10. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  7. Office for National Statistics: Census 2021: TS062 NS-SeC. Period 2021-03-21, final, published 2022-12-08. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  8. Department for Education: Performance tables schools data (explore education statistics). Period 2025/26, provisional, published 2026-10-15. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  9. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS2 final. Period 2024/25, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  10. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS5 (16-18) final. Period 2024/25, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  11. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS2 final. Period 2023/24, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.