Best State Schools in Dorset County

St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford Abbas, is a co-ed school that offers primary education for students aged 4-11. With a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, the school provides a nurturing and inclusive environment. The school achieved impressive exam results in 2019, with high average scores in maths and reading. Additionally, 22% of students achieved a higher standard in reading, writing, and maths. With dedicated full-time teachers and assistant teachers, St Mary's focuses on academic excellence while promoting the values of the Church of England.

Dorchester Middle School is a co-ed school located in Dorchester, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 22:1 and a focus on personal development, the school offers a wide range of extracurricular opportunities. Although some improvements are needed, pupils are well-behaved and attendance rates have improved. The school aims to provide a nurturing environment for students to excel academically and grow as individuals.

Stalbridge Church of England Primary School is a welcoming and inclusive school that offers a broad and balanced curriculum. With a good overall rating from Ofsted, the school maintains effective leadership, positive safeguarding measures, and outstanding behaviour and safety of pupils. Our dedicated staff strive to ensure every student succeeds, and our exam results show high achievement in maths and reading. We pride ourselves on creating a family atmosphere where children can learn, develop, and have fun.

St Andrew's Church of England Primary School is a co-educational school located in Preston, Dorset. With a strong emphasis on academic excellence and personal development, the school offers a nurturing and safe environment for students aged 3-11 years old. The dedicated teaching staff consistently achieve good results, with pupils achieving above average scores in maths and reading. The school also prioritizes inclusivity, with support available for students with special educational needs. Overall, St Andrew's Church of England Primary School provides a well-rounded education that prepares students for future success.

Bishop Aldhelm's Church of England Primary School is a caring and inclusive school located in Branksome, Bournemouth. With a student-teacher ratio of 21:1 and a strong focus on academic achievement, the school provides a worthwhile learning experience for children aged 3-11. The school's Christian culture promotes personal growth and ensures every hour spent in school is fruitful.

Radipole Primary School is a friendly and inclusive school in Dorset. With a strong leadership team and dedicated teachers, the school provides a joyful and secure learning environment for children aged 4-11. The school has a good track record of academic achievement, with effective teaching leading to improved outcomes in reading and writing. Safeguarding is a top priority, ensuring the safety of all students. While there are areas for improvement, such as challenging middle-attaining pupils and consistency in progress, the school is committed to continuous improvement. With a supportive community and a focus on providing excellent instruction, Radipole Primary School is dedicated to nurturing the potential of every child.

Beechcroft St Pauls CofE Primary School is a Church of England primary school located in Dorset, South West. With a low student-teacher ratio of 21:1, the school focuses on providing a supportive learning environment for students aged 4-11. The school's Ofsted report highlights areas for improvement, but its early years provision is rated as good. With a diverse student population, the school values inclusivity and offers SEN support to students in need. While the overall exam results are average, 52% of students achieved GCSE 4 or higher. The school is committed to nurturing personal development and ensuring the safety of its students.

Downlands Community School is a primary school located in Blandford Camp, South West. With an overall grade of Good by Ofsted and outstanding behavior and safety of pupils, the school maintains a strong sense of community and provides quality education and care. The school boasts high rates of attendance, effective safeguarding arrangements, and most pupils making good progress. However, there is room for improvement in providing a wider range of writing opportunities for the most able pupils.

Mudeford Junior School is a friendly and caring primary school located in Mudeford, Christchurch. With high expectations for academic performance and student conduct, the school aims to provide new and engaging learning opportunities for children. The school boasts a dedicated and experienced teaching staff, as well as a supportive community of parents and governors. Mudeford Junior School emphasizes collaboration between teachers, parents, and students to facilitate social, moral, and academic growth. With its focus on excellence, the school strives to help each child reach their full potential.

St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Marnhull is a co-educational Roman Catholic school catering to children aged 3-11 years. With a student-teacher ratio of 20:1, the school provides a nurturing environment balanced with academic achievement. The leadership team has ensured the quality of education, resulting in pupils who are well-prepared for life in modern Britain. The school places a strong emphasis on safeguarding and individualized support for students with special educational needs. While there is room for improvement in supporting the most able pupils and developing reading skills, the school has shown progress in pupils' academic attainment, as evidenced by the average scores in maths and reading. Overall, St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Marnhull provides a welcoming and supportive educational environment for children.

The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury, is a Church of England primary school located in Shaftesbury, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 22:1, the school provides a nurturing and supportive environment for children aged 4-11 years. The school's overall grade of C+ indicates a good level of achievement, quality teaching, and behavior and safety of pupils. With an average score of 107 in maths and 108 in reading, the school focuses on academic excellence. Additionally, the school promotes diversity and inclusivity with a 7.9% students with SEN support and 2.00% non-native English speakers. Overall, The Abbey CofE VA Primary School is dedicated to providing a well-rounded education for its students.

Wareham St Mary Church of England Primary School is a co-ed primary school located in Wareham Town, South West. With a student-teacher ratio of 22:1, the school provides a nurturing environment for children aged 4-11 years. The school offers a good quality education, focusing on the development of academics, behaviour, and personal growth. It has a diverse student population with 59% eligible for free school meals and 17% receiving SEN support. With a Good overall effectiveness grade from Ofsted and average scores of 103 in maths and reading, Wareham St Mary is dedicated to providing a well-rounded education for its students.

St John's Church of England Primary School is a welcoming and inclusive school that values academic success and personal development. With a strong Christian ethos, the school offers a supportive and nurturing environment for children aged 2 to 11. The school has a dedicated staff who work hard to ensure every child reaches their full potential. With a student-teacher ratio of 22:1, individual attention is given to each child. The school's exam results are impressive, with students achieving above-average scores in maths and reading. Additionally, 59% of students achieved GCSE grades 4 or higher. The school is part of The Diocese of Salisbury Academy Trust, which provides a network of support and resources. St John's Church of England Primary School is committed to creating a safe and diverse learning environment where children can thrive.

Salway Ash Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is a highly respected primary school located in Salwayash, Netherbury. With a strong emphasis on positive school culture and confident leadership, the school consistently achieves high pupil attainment and provides a safe and nurturing environment for all students. The dedicated teachers tailor activities to meet each student's needs and effective safeguarding measures are in place. Although there is room for improvement in writing and mathematics progress, the school's overall effectiveness, achievement of pupils, and behaviour and safety of pupils have been rated as good or outstanding in recent inspections.

Moordown St John's Church of England Primary School is a welcoming and inclusive primary school in Bournemouth. With a dedicated leadership team, the school focuses on providing high-quality education and improving pupils' writing skills. The school has effective safeguarding measures, supports disadvantaged pupils, and boasts a high attendance rate. While there is a need for improvement in spelling and writing at greater depth, the school receives positive feedback from both pupils and parents. With a strong emphasis on partnership between parents and the school, Moordown St John's aims to help students realize their full potential and graduate as lifelong learners.

Kingsleigh Primary School is a co-educational primary school located in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. With a student-teacher ratio of 21:1, the school provides a nurturing environment for children aged 3-11 years. The leadership team ensures the delivery of high-quality education, prioritizing pupils' personal development. The school's effective safeguarding arrangements and impressive progress in key stage 2 make it a great choice for parents seeking a well-rounded education for their children.

Avonwood Primary School is a welcoming co-educational institution located in Bournemouth. Led by experienced Headteacher Chris Jackson, the school offers a high-quality primary education for children aged 4-11 years old. With a focus on inclusive education, Avonwood provides support for students with special educational needs. Additionally, the school is proud to have a diverse student body, with 69% of students eligible for free school meals. Join our vibrant community, where every child can thrive and succeed.

Bridport Primary School is a co-educational school located in the South West region. With a student-teacher ratio of 21:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment for children aged 4-11. The school focuses on promoting personal development, good behavior, and welfare among students. Although the school requires improvement in certain areas according to the Ofsted report, the attendance has improved under the effective leadership of Ms Michaela Kite. Pupils study an exciting and diverse curriculum, and the school offers a nurturing environment where pupils respect each other and adults.

Chickerell Primary Academy is a welcoming and nurturing school in South West DT3. With a student-teacher ratio of 22:1, our dedicated staff provides consistent and strong teaching across all phases. We prioritize the safety and well-being of our students, and our strong leadership ensures effective safeguarding arrangements. Our pupils make good progress, and we focus on their personal development and welfare. While attainment in reading and writing may not consistently align with national averages, we strive to inspire independent and resilient young learners who are well-prepared for secondary education.

The Epiphany School is a welcoming and inclusive primary school located in Muscliff, Bournemouth. With a strong focus on Christian principles and community collaboration, we provide a creative curriculum that inspires our students to love learning. Our dedicated staff and effective safeguarding measures ensure a safe and supportive environment for all children, including those with SEN and/or disabilities. While our overall academic performance is good, we are committed to improving key areas such as mathematics and reading skills. We have outstanding facilities and a strong track record of student achievement, with 72% of students achieving GCSE 4 or higher in 2019.