Best Secondary Schools in Dorset County

Linwood School is an outstanding all-through school in Bournemouth, offering education for students aged 2 to 19 years. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 5:1 and a strong focus on supporting pupils' independence, the school provides a nurturing and inclusive environment. The dedicated leadership team and quality teaching ensure that students make exceptional progress in their learning. Safeguarding is prioritized, providing peace of mind for parents. With a range of special educational needs catered for, including autism spectrum disorder, moderate to severe learning difficulties, and profound multiple learning difficulties, Linwood School is committed to meeting the individual needs of every student.

Winton Academy is an outstanding secondary school in Bournemouth. With passionate leaders and dedicated staff, the school provides exceptional academic outcomes and personal development for students. The school effectively caters to the needs of students with special educational needs, offering a broad curriculum and experiences. Although there is a high number of students joining and leaving the school, the overall effectiveness and quality of teaching and learning remain outstanding. With a strong focus on reducing exclusions and providing a safe environment, Winton Academy is committed to nurturing the potential of every student.

Tregonwell Academy is an outstanding all-through school in Bournemouth, offering a high-quality education for students aged 5-16. Led by a passionate headteacher and dedicated staff, the school maintains excellent standards of teaching and leadership, ensuring the achievement and well-being of all students. With effective safeguarding measures in place, Tregonwell Academy provides a safe and engaging learning environment. While there are areas for improvement such as the need for more supported apprenticeships, the school consistently demonstrates its commitment to providing an outstanding education for its students.

Twynham School is an outstanding secondary school in Christchurch, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, the school prioritizes individualized attention and fosters excellent academic achievement. The school's leadership and management are highly regarded, ensuring outstanding teaching and learning. Students benefit from exceptional behavior and safety measures, while their spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development is strongly supported. Twynham School also offers an outstanding sixth form, providing a well-rounded education. With a focus on exceptional progress, this school is an ideal choice for parents seeking an outstanding education for their children.

The Thomas Hardye School is an outstanding secondary school located in Dorchester, South West. With exceptional teaching and leadership, the school achieves high standards of achievement in its students. It provides exceptional support for students with disabilities or special needs and offers a safe and secure learning environment. The school has a strong commitment to equality and offers a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities for its students.

Parkstone Grammar School is an outstanding secondary school for girls located in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. With a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, the school emphasizes academic excellence and personal development. The school boasts exceptional exam results, with 91% of students achieving grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs. With strong leadership and knowledgeable teachers, Parkstone Grammar School provides a nurturing environment where girls can flourish and reach their full potential.

Bournemouth School for Girls is an outstanding secondary school dedicated to upholding the highest academic standards while fostering students' well-being and personal development. With exceptional achievement across all years and a high-achieving sixth form, our school provides an enriching curriculum and promotes spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development. Students benefit from an outstanding learning environment and a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, ensuring individual attention and support. We pride ourselves on our outstanding leadership, teaching quality, behavior, and safety, making Bournemouth School for Girls the perfect choice for parents seeking excellence for their daughters.

Magna Academy is a highly esteemed secondary school located in Bournemouth, offering a co-educational learning environment for students aged 11-18. With outstanding Ofsted ratings and a strong emphasis on academic excellence, the school consistently achieves exceptional results in English and mathematics GCSEs. Led by ambitious and dedicated leadership, Magna Academy provides high quality teaching, ensuring pupils make excellent progress and receive the necessary support. With a focus on personal development and welfare, the school promotes a positive and disciplined environment, helping students thrive both academically and socially.

Gillingham School is a secondary school located in Gillingham, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 17:1 and an inclusive ethos, the school values each individual pupil. The curriculum is a strength, and the designated safeguarding lead ensures the protection of vulnerable students. While some areas for improvement exist, such as high absence rates for certain groups and the need for enhanced governor understanding, overall, Gillingham School provides a good quality of education and outstanding behavior and safety.

The Bishop of Winchester Academy is a Church of England secondary school in Bournemouth, known for its strong moral and ethical foundation. With outstanding leadership and management, parents can trust in the excellent education and safe environment provided. The school prioritizes individual progress, with dedicated teachers supporting students to improve their work. Although results for the first cohort in sixth form were below national average, the academy has a track record of student achievement and progress, making it a top choice for families.

Poole High School is a co-educational secondary school in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 14:1 and a strong focus on academics, the school provides a safe and inclusive environment for students aged 11-18. It has been rated as Good by Ofsted, with effective leadership and management, quality teaching, and good outcomes for pupils. Offering a wide range of study programs, Poole High School is dedicated to supporting the personal development and welfare of its students.

Glenmoor Academy is an outstanding secondary school in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. With high standards and expectations, excellent leadership, and consistently high quality teaching, Glenmoor Academy ensures that students make exceptional progress. The school's positive relationships between teachers and pupils create a nurturing environment for personal development, behavior, and welfare. With an overall grade of A+ from Ofsted and impressive exam results, Glenmoor Academy provides a top-quality education for girls aged 11-16.

St Peter's Catholic Comprehensive School is a co-educational Roman Catholic school located in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. With a student-teacher ratio of 18:1 and a strong emphasis on academic and personal development, the school offers an excellent education for students aged 4-18. The school has been rated as 'Good' by Ofsted, with outstanding early years provision and personal development. Pupils attain highly in various subjects, and there are opportunities for staff to develop their skills. However, there are some gaps in progress for disadvantaged and special needs students, and lower-attaining pupils may not consistently be challenged.

Avonbourne Girls Academy is a secondary school located in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. With a strong focus on academic excellence, the school provides a good standard of education for girls aged 11-19. The school values the emotional well-being of its pupils and offers a wide range of activities to support their development. It has a dedicated sixth form and strives to improve progress for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs.

Lytchett Minster School is a successful and well-liked secondary school with a flourishing sixth form. With excellent standards of education, strong leadership, and effective safeguarding, the school strives to provide every student with the tools they need for a successful and meaningful life. The school offers a varied curriculum, impressive exam results, and a focus on extracurricular activities, making it an ideal choice for parents seeking a high-quality education for their children.

St. Aldhelm's Academy is a secondary school located in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. With a student teacher ratio of 14:1, the school provides a supportive and focused learning environment. The academy has received a Good rating from OFSTED, with excellent leadership and management. Students benefit from a wide range of academic and vocational credentials and are encouraged to develop resilience, creativity, and kindness. The school prides itself on its modern facilities and dedicated teaching staff, providing high-quality education for all students.

Carter Community School is a secondary school located in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. With a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, our dedicated staff provides a nurturing environment for our 518 students. We focus on personal development, behavior, and welfare, ensuring a good overall effectiveness. Our exam results show that 53% of students achieved GCSE grades 4 or higher, demonstrating our commitment to academic success.

Beaminster School is a secondary school located in Newtown, Beaminster. With a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, the school emphasizes on personalized attention and individual growth. With a strong commitment to inclusion and effective provision for students with complex learning needs, the school provides a safe and caring environment. The overall effectiveness of the school, leadership and management, achievement of pupils, quality of teaching, and behavior and safety of pupils are all rated 'Good' by Ofsted. However, the school aims to improve overall attendance and challenge students to deepen their understanding in certain subjects.

St Edward's Roman Catholic/Church of England School in Poole is a co-educational secondary school with a strong focus on academic achievement and a nurturing environment. With a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, the school ensures individualized attention for each student. The school has been rated 'Good' by Ofsted, highlighting its effectiveness in leadership, teaching, and the safety of pupils. Additionally, the school boasts impressive exam results, with 53% of students achieving Grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs, and 12.50% achieving AAB or higher in A-levels. St Edward's provides a well-rounded education that combines academic excellence with spiritual values.

Ferndown Upper School is a co-ed secondary school in Ferndown Town, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, our dedicated staff provide exceptional support to help every student reach their full potential. We offer a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities to foster personal development and high aspirations. Our good Ofsted rating and exam results demonstrate our commitment to quality education. Join our school community, where kindness, excellence, and achievement are valued.