Best State Schools in Dorset County

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.

Winchelsea School is an all-through co-ed school located in Parkstone, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. With a student-teacher ratio of 7:1, the school provides a supportive and inclusive environment for students aged 4-19. Offering a comprehensive range of SEN support, Winchelsea School prioritizes personalized education and outstanding behavior and attitudes. With an overall grade of B-, the school excels in resources and safety, ensuring a high-quality education for all students.

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.

Dorchester Learning Centre is an all-through school located in Winterborne Monkton, South West. With a good Ofsted rating, this co-ed school provides quality education for students aged 5-18. It offers a supportive environment for students with SEN and promotes personal development and great behaviour. Limited number of students ensures individual attention.

Blandford St Mary Church of England Primary School is a well-established and inclusive school, providing a nurturing and inviting environment for children aged 4 to 11. With a strong focus on teaching quality, the school offers a rich and varied curriculum, ensuring improved outcomes for pupils. The school's leadership and governance are highly effective, leading to a Good overall rating by Ofsted. Although some areas, such as phonics teaching and support for pupils with special educational needs, require improvement, the school excels in mathematics and personal development. With a student-teacher ratio of 21:1, Blandford St Mary is dedicated to providing a positive and supportive learning environment for all students.

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.

Livingstone Road Junior School is a primary school located in Parkstone, Bournemouth. With a student teacher ratio of 18:1 and a commitment to fostering the development of the whole child, the school provides a nurturing environment for children aged 7-11. The school offers a good quality of education, with strong leadership and management, and a focus on behavior, attitudes, and personal development. With 94% of students eligible for free school meals, Livingstone Road Junior School prioritizes inclusivity and support for students with special educational needs. The school's average scores in maths and reading are above average, with 12% of students achieving at a higher standard in reading, writing, and maths.

St Mary's Catholic Primary School in Poole is a welcoming and respectful Christian learning community. With strong leadership and dedicated teachers, the school fosters the values of love, respect, creativity, and spirituality. Students make good progress academically, with above-average progress for those with English as an additional language. The school offers a broad curriculum with opportunities for music and arts. Pupils behave well and have a strong sense of moral obligation. The school actively promotes British values and prepares students to be responsible citizens.

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.

Manorside Academy is an outstanding primary school dedicated to providing high-quality education and ensuring every child reaches their full potential. With highly ambitious leaders and excellent teaching, our students make exceptional progress in all areas. We offer a motivating curriculum, a safe and nurturing environment, and strong support for students with special educational needs. Our outstanding exam results and focus on personal development make us the ideal choice for parents seeking a school that sets high expectations and prepares students for success in secondary school and beyond.

William Barnes Primary School is a co-educational primary school located in Sturminster Newton, South West. With a student teacher ratio of 18:1 and a student population of 167, the school offers a nurturing environment for students aged 4-11 years. The school has received a Good rating from Ofsted, with outstanding behavior and safety of pupils. With a focus on improving writing and effective training for teachers, the school ensures quality education. However, further development is needed for higher-ability students to achieve at a higher level in certain subjects.

Holy Trinity Church of England VC Primary School & Community Nursery is a co-educational school located in Dorset, South West. With a strong emphasis on academic achievement, the school provides a positive and nurturing environment for students aged 2-11 years. The dedicated staff quickly identify pupils needing extra support and subject leaders provide knowledgeable and supportive guidance. The school effectively uses additional funding to close attainment gaps and promote personal development. With high expectations, a strong sense of values, and a focus on pupil welfare, Holy Trinity encourages pride in student work and fosters a positive climate for learning.

Montacute School is an all-through school located in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Founded in 2011, the school provides education for students aged 2 to 18 years. With a student-teacher ratio of 5:1, Montacute School offers personalized attention and a curriculum designed to meet the special educational needs of all pupils. The school has a strong monitoring system for teaching quality and progress, ensuring that all groups of pupils make good progress. Pupils feel safe and enjoy school, with effective safeguarding procedures in place. Montacute School also offers a well-managed early years program and a good range of studies for post-16 students.

Christ The King Catholic Primary School is a co-ed Roman Catholic primary school located in Kinson, Bournemouth. With a student teacher ratio of 20:1, the school provides a nurturing environment for children aged 3-11. It offers a diverse curriculum and has a good overall effectiveness according to Ofsted. With a focus on personal development, the school aims to ensure every child reaches their full potential.

Bayside Academy is a primary school located in a stunning natural setting in Bournemouth. With a focus on high expectations and excellent teaching, our dedicated staff instill a passion for learning in our students. We prioritize the development of the 'whole child' and strive to prepare them as responsible global citizens. Our safe and caring environment ensures each child has the finest opportunity to succeed.

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.

Winton Primary School is a co-ed primary school located in Bournemouth. Led by Headteacher Neil Tarchetti, the school maintains a high quality of education with a focus on raising achievement and promoting a love of reading. With a student teacher ratio of 21:1, the school provides a healthy balance of support and challenge, ensuring students receive the attention they need. The school places strong emphasis on safeguarding processes and has rigorous safety measures in place. While attendance rates are below national average, the school strives to provide equal opportunities for all students, including those with Special Educational Needs (SEN). With an overall grade of B- and excellent exam results, Winton Primary School is dedicated to preparing students for success.

West Moors Middle School is a co-ed middle deemed secondary school located in West Moors, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 13:1, the school offers a supportive learning environment for students aged 9-13. The school provides education to 215 students, with a focus on speech, language, and communication needs. With a good overall grade from Ofsted and strong exam results, West Moors Middle School ensures that students develop academically, socially, and emotionally.

Hampstead Activity Nursery is a co-ed secondary school in Wareham Town. With a strong focus on effective teaching and staff-parent partnerships, the school provides exceptional care and education for children aged 11-18. Supported by experienced staff, children at the nursery enjoy a happy and relaxed learning environment.

Broadstone Middle School is a co-ed school located in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. With a student-teacher ratio of 17:1, the school focuses on providing a high-quality education for children aged 9-14. The school prides itself on its good overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. Broadstone Middle School aims to prepare students for the challenges of the twenty-first century, fostering a culture of high expectations and providing a safe and exciting environment for academic, social, physical, cultural, and spiritual development. With a dedicated staff and strong parental involvement, the school ensures that students have the best chances to reach their full potential and become successful members of society.