Best Secondary Schools in Dorset County

The Sir John Colfox Academy is a secondary school in South West, UK. With a student-teacher ratio of 18:1 and a strong focus on academic achievement, the school provides a secure and inclusive learning environment. The dedicated staff and effective leadership ensure good teaching standards and positive outcomes for students. The school offers a range of choices and support for students with special educational needs. With a Good rating from Ofsted, robust safeguarding processes, and a vibrant house system promoting competition and community spirit, The Sir John Colfox Academy is an excellent choice for parents seeking a well-rounded education for their children.

Dorset Studio School is a secondary school located in Stinsford, South West. With a student teacher ratio of 14:1, the school provides a supportive and personalized learning environment for students aged 11-16. With a focus on land-based studies, the school excels in motivating and supporting disadvantaged and SEND pupils. The school's unique character and strong partnership with sponsors create opportunities for students to excel in their studies. However, there is a need for improvement in teaching quality and challenging all students. Overall, Dorset Studio School offers a good learning experience with a focus on personal development and welfare.

Highcliffe School is a co-educational secondary school located in Highcliffe and Walkford, South West. With a strong focus on student well-being and support for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs, the school provides an inclusive and nurturing environment. The curriculum promotes both academic excellence and personal development, and the school offers an impressive range of extra-curricular activities. With a Good overall effectiveness rating from Ofsted, Highcliffe School is committed to providing a high-quality education for its students.

The Swanage School is a secondary school located in Swanage, South West. Founded in 2013, it offers a strong reputation in the local community and provides continued good quality education. With a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, the school ensures individual attention for students. It excels in care and support for vulnerable pupils, achieving good behavior and responsible students. The school also prioritizes safeguarding and has shown improvement in core subjects. While there have been variations in performance between subjects and below average attendance, the school is committed to providing a positive learning environment for its students.

Poole Grammar School is a boys' secondary school located in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. With a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, the school focuses on high academic achievement with an emphasis on mathematics and science. The school has a strong sixth form program and provides effective support for students. Although there are areas for improvement, the school has been rated Good by Ofsted and has consistently shown good outcomes for pupils. With a high percentage of students achieving grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs, Poole Grammar School offers a well-rounded education for boys aged 11-18.

The Bourne Academy is a secondary school located in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. With a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, the school focuses on developing literate, numerate global citizens who are ambitious, self-confident, and resilient. The recent Ofsted inspection rated the school as 'Good', highlighting its high attainment in English and strong leadership. The academy's specialism in Engineering & Design enhances students' numeracy skills and prepares them to make informed decisions. With a focus on personal development and a supportive learning environment, The Bourne Academy provides a well-rounded education for students aged 11-18.

LeAF Studio is a secondary school in Bournemouth with a unique focus on performing arts and sport. With a high-quality teaching staff and a strong individual support system, the school offers a good balance of specialist and academic education. The school's sixth form program is growing and strong, providing students with excellent opportunities for post-secondary education. Although there are areas of improvement, overall, LeAF Studio demonstrates good quality teaching and progress, making it a promising choice for parents seeking a well-rounded education for their children.

Corfe Hills School is a co-educational secondary school located in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. With a student teacher ratio of 14:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment for students aged 13-18. Offering a wide range of subjects and achieving good exam results, Corfe Hills School prioritizes academic excellence while also focusing on personal development and providing a safe and inclusive environment for all students. With a dedicated team of teachers and strong leadership, the school has been rated as 'Good' by Ofsted and continues to strive for improvement.

The Grange School is a co-ed secondary school in Christchurch, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 14:1, the school provides a supportive environment for its 356 students. The school is known for its good overall effectiveness, quality education, and positive behavior and attitudes. It focuses on personal development and has dedicated leadership and management. The school achieved a B- grade, with good performance in academics and teachers. With a safe campus and adequate resources, The Grange School offers an inclusive learning experience for students aged 11-19.

Oak Academy is a co-ed secondary school located in Bournemouth. With a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, we prioritize individual attention and academic support. Our dedicated staff is committed to the personal development and success of each student. We offer a warm and welcoming environment, promoting a 'no excuses' culture of learning. Our exam results show consistent improvement, with 22% achieving Grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs. We strive to provide a high-quality education and prepare students for a successful future.

The Woodroffe School is an outstanding secondary school in Lyme Regis, South West. With an impressive student-teacher ratio of 18:1, the school provides excellent academic support. The school has a strong focus on student safety and resources, although improvement is needed in teacher quality. With an outstanding Ofsted rating and impressive exam results, including 65% achieving Grade 5 or above in English & maths GCSEs, The Woodroffe School is an ideal choice for parents seeking a high-quality education for their children.

The Blandford School is a secondary school located in Blandford Forum, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, the school offers a co-ed education for students aged 11-18. The school prioritizes high expectations, supporting student aspirations, and fostering respect between faculty and students. Although the school requires improvement in some areas according to the Ofsted report, it provides a good quality education, including a successful sixth-form provision. The school's recent building initiative has significantly improved facilities, enhancing extracurricular, curricular, and social activities. With a focus on academic achievement, The Blandford School offers support for university applications, with students securing places at prestigious institutions. Exam results demonstrate achievements in English and maths GCSEs, as well as A-level attainment. Overall, The Blandford School strives to provide a safe and enjoyable learning environment, preparing students for successful futures.

Victoria Education Centre is a co-educational all-through school located in Bournemouth. With a dedicated leadership team, the school provides excellent provision for children with special needs and disabilities, offering a wide range of sporting and cultural activities for diverse experiences. The school has a positive attitude towards learning and effective safeguarding, ensuring the well-being of all students. With good progress seen in early years and post-16 provision, Victoria Education Centre is committed to providing a nurturing and inclusive learning environment for all students.

Beaucroft Foundation School is an outstanding all-through school located in Colehill, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 5:1, the school provides a high-quality and supportive environment for students aged 4-19. The dedicated leadership and exceptional teaching staff ensure that each student's individual needs are met, resulting in outstanding achievement and excellent exam results. The school focuses on raising students' self-esteem, promoting lifelong learning, and preparing them for post-secondary options. Safety measures, effective safeguarding, and a wide range of therapies and activities contribute to the overall outstanding experience at Beaucroft Foundation School.

Yewstock School is an outstanding all-through school in Sturminster Newton, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1 and a focus on speech, language, and communication skills, Yewstock provides exceptional education for students aged 2-19. The school's leadership team and teachers have been praised for their effective teaching, outstanding achievement of pupils, and strong safeguarding measures. While there may be some inconsistencies in the support for communication skills development, Yewstock School excels in overall effectiveness and offers a safe and nurturing environment for students to thrive.

Bournemouth School is an outstanding secondary school located in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. With a student-teacher ratio of 17:1 and a focus on academic excellence, the school consistently achieves impressive exam results, with 97% of students achieving grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs. The school's sixth form offers a customised programme, allowing students to develop their full potential and gain an edge in the job market. With a nurturing and caring environment, Bournemouth School provides a top-quality education for boys aged 11-18.

Christchurch Learning Centre is a secondary school located in Christchurch, South West. With a strong leadership and governance, the school has made significant improvements in teaching and student progress. Pupils feel safe and enjoy their time at the school, with good behaviour observed during lessons and social times. The school provides a well-adapted curriculum and has thorough safeguarding arrangements in place. However, further developments are required to ensure all pupils can make maximum progress.

The Compass is an all-through school located in Westham, Dorset. With an inspirational leadership team and dedicated staff, the school focuses on meeting the needs of its students. Safeguarding is a priority, ensuring a safe and secure environment. The school offers a range of therapeutic provisions and has made significant improvements in mathematics. However, overall attendance remains below the national average, and the curriculum design needs constant review.

Mountjoy School is an all-through school located in Beaminster, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 6:1 and a strong focus on inclusive education, the school provides a nurturing environment for students aged 3-19. Offering nursery classes and a sixth form, Mountjoy School prioritizes the personal development and well-being of its students. With excellent resources, a Good Ofsted rating, and a commitment to individualized learning, Mountjoy School equips students for success in their future endeavours.

The Forum Centre is a good all-through school located in Blandford Forum. With a focus on integrating pupils with SEMH needs, the school provides high-quality education and challenges poor attendance. Although limited opportunities for working with employers, it offers a safe and inclusive environment for students to thrive.