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#8 in Best Secondary Schools in Dorset
The Blandford School - Ofsted Report, Parent Reviews (2025)
The Blandford School
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The Blandford School
- Secondary
- Blandford Forum DT11 7SQ
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Ofsted report
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| The quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Good |
| Personal development | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth-form provision | Good |
| Previous inspection grade | Requires Improvement |
Quick insights from ofsted Powered by AI
This insight was generated by AI, based on latest Ofsted report.
Academic Progress: The school offers a broad and ambitious curriculum for all pupils, including those with SEND.
Behaviour and Attitudes: Classrooms are calm and orderly; however, low-level disruption is not always managed quickly enough.
Qualifications and Training: Teachers have strong subject knowledge and present information clearly.
Current Educational Practices: Teachers use effective assessment methods, although sometimes systematic checking lacks precision.
Strengths and Challenges: Occasional low-level disruption is not dealt with quickly enough, causing distractions.
Opportunities for Involvement: Parents can use Ofsted Parent View to give opinions on the school.
Communication: The school uses Parent View for communication and feedback from parents.
Handling Conflicts and Concerns: Leaders work to overcome challenges that pupils face and support them well.
Actions for Quality Improvement: Governors support the school and challenge it to be better.
Managing Bullying and Safety: Pupils feel safe and know who to talk to; bullying is taken seriously.
Promoting Welfare and Safety: Positive relationships and clear routines ensure a calm learning environment.
Extracurricular Offerings: Offers many clubs and activities including coding, debate, and climate club.
Balancing Academics and Extracurriculars: Many pupils do not participate in enrichment activities, limiting talent development.
Career Counselling Services: Well-thought-out careers provision helps pupils link subjects with careers.
Preparation for Sixth Form: Offers appropriate support for higher education, apprenticeships, or employment.
Managing and Supporting SEND: Quickly identifies additional needs and adapts learning effectively based on provided information.
Subjects Offered: Offers a wide range of academic and vocational courses in sixth form.
Historical Ofsted reports
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About Us
The Blandford School is a Secondary, Co-Ed school located in Dorset County, South West.
It has 1142 students from age 11-18 yr with a student-teacher ratio of 17 : 1.
At this school, 60% of pupils achieved grade 5 or more at GCSE.
90.50% of pupils completing their main study programme.
This school rated Good by recent Ofsted inspection.
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We have high expectations for our pupils and support their aspirations. We are proud of our pupils and our central location in the neighbourhood. Respect is shown between faculty and students. While in school, students experience safety and enjoyment. Our building initiative has significantly improved our facilities across the site in recent years. It is rewarding to watch students of all ages gain from this financial commitment to their education, which has had a great influence on our extracurricular, curricular, and social activities. The new housing was actively designed by students, and they are happy with the results. Younger students participate in our successful liaison and transition programme prior to starting school. Activities are planned throughout Year 6 and include customised projects run by the subject areas that make up our area of expertise (science, design and mathematics). The school carefully evaluates the requirements of older pupils who enrol and offers support as needed. In year 13, students in the sixth form at The Blandford School submit applications to a variety of universities, from Russell Group universities to more specialised institutions. Students have accepted offers from Warwick (Global Sustainable Business), Bristol (Politics and International Relations), York, Bath, and Bristol this year, as well as from math at UCL and King's College (Modern Languages). Students put a lot of effort into getting the grades needed to advance successfully into higher education at these schools.
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| Phase of Education | Secondary | Secondary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Local Authority Maintained Schools | Local Authority Maintained Schools | Local Authority Maintained Schools |
| Snobe grade |
B-
|
B
|
B-
|
| Ofset report | Good | Good | Good |
| Age range | 11-18 | 11-19 | 13-19 |
| Gender | Co-Ed | Co-Ed | Co-Ed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student teacher ratio | 17 | 16.5 | 19 |
| Proficient Math | - | - | - |
| Proficient Read | - | - | - |
| Grade 5 or above GCSE | 60% | 48% | 48% |
| Grade 5 or above A Level | 15.80% | 13.20% | 5.00% |
| Day Fees | - | - | - |
Secondary Exam Result
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | -0.13 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 49.2 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 60% | 18.54% | 29.96% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 75% | 30.06% | 42.99% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 43% | 15.23% | 25% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 24% | 5.77% | 10.88% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 32% | 9.46% | 15.47% |
| EBacc average points score | 4.50 | 2.27 | 2.82 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 94% | 81.61% | 90.52% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 179 | 146 | 144 |
| Pupils staying in education | 82% | 75.26% | 84.15% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 31% | 33.35% | 32.75% |
| School sixth forms | 51% | 31.57% | 29.73% |
| Sixth form colleges | 0% | 0.13% | 10.22% |
| Other education destinations | 1% | 10.17% | 11.48% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 5% | 3.35% | 2.8% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 7% | 3% | 3.59% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | -0.14 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 49.7 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 46% | 21.85% | 32.78% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 70% | 34.33% | 45.26% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 39% | 18.03% | 24.88% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 18% | 8.18% | 12.99% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 26% | 11.45% | 17.14% |
| EBacc average points score | 4.41 | 2.57 | 2.97 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 97% | 94.1% | 90.39% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 147 | 157 | 140 |
| Pupils staying in education | 88% | 88% | 86.27% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 33% | 38.43% | 34.03% |
| School sixth forms | 54% | 35.76% | 30.75% |
| Sixth form colleges | 1% | 0.14% | 10.38% |
| Other education destinations | 1% | 13.86% | 11.13% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 4% | 3.43% | 1.99% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 4% | 2.62% | 2.15% |
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 Secondary school exam
results were not published at school level.
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 Secondary school exam
results were not published at school level.
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.25 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 48.2 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 45% 1 | 18.97% | 29.24% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 65% 1 | 30.84% | 43.34% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 27% | 18.94% | 25.76% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 12% 2 | 6.69% | 11.44% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 19% 5 | 10.5% | 16.45% |
| EBacc average points score | 4.22 | 2.27 | 2.88 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 96% | 85.39% | 90.21% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 135 | 138 | 135 |
| Pupils staying in education | 82% | 76.94% | 84.08% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 27% | 26.5% | 33.3% |
| School sixth forms | 53% | 38.5% | 31.15% |
| Sixth form colleges | 1% | 0.11% | 8.45% |
| Other education destinations | 1% | 11.83% | 11.19% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 7% | 5% | 3.4% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 7% | 3.39% | 2.76% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | 0.23 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 50.9 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 46% 15 | 23.38% | 29.18% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 66% 13 | 37.28% | 42.58% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 17% | 20.14% | 24.69% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 10% 1 | 8.93% | 11.29% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 14% 2 | 13.17% | 15.97% |
| EBacc average points score | 4.39 | 2.61 | 2.84 |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 96% | 78.06% | 84.86% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 141 | 152 | 140 |
| Pupils staying in education | 81% | 61% | 73.88% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 24% | 24% | 28.32% |
| School sixth forms | 54% | 35.65% | 31.51% |
| Sixth form colleges | - | 0.24% | 9.07% |
| Other education destinations | - | 8.47% | 5.94% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 6% | 3.71% | 2.96% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 9% | 2% | 2.06% |
Discover school's performance with the Attainment 8 and Progress 8 scores. Attainment 8 reflects pupil achievement in 8 qualifications, while Progress 8 measures their progress from key stage 2 to 4, compared to peers across England.
| School scores | School | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Progress 8 score | -0.37 | This score shows how much progress pupils at this school made across 8 qualifications between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. |
| Attainment 8 score | 42.1 | Schools get a score based on how well pupils have performed in up to 8 qualifications. |
Explore the percentage of pupils who attained grade 5 or higher & grade 4 or higher in their English and math GCSEs. This metric reflects their proficiency in these fundamental subjects.
| GCSE Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 31% | 23% | 29.51% |
| Grade 4 or above in English & Maths GCSEs | 53% | 37.29% | 43.04% |
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) ensures your child's well-rounded education. It includes essential subjects like English, math, sciences, languages, and humanities.
| EBacc Results | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering EBacc | 24% | 23.07% | 25.21% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 5 or above | 11% | 10.39% | 14.68% |
| Achieving the EBacc at grade 4 or above | 12% | 12.11% | 16.23% |
| EBacc average points score | - | - | - |
Find out where our Key Stage 4 graduates are going next. Explore their different paths after finishing school – whether it's sixth form, starting work, or other adventures as they move forward.
| Pupil destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pupils staying in education or employment | 97% | 84.56% | 85.23% |
| Total number of pupils included in destination measures | 173 | 163 | 144 |
| Pupils staying in education | 94% | 63.88% | 58.15% |
| Further education college or other further education provider | 33% | 23.25% | 30.56% |
| School sixth forms | 59% | 41.56% | 32.11% |
| Sixth form colleges | - | 0% | 8.95% |
| Other education destinations | 2% | 8.56% | 5.75% |
| Pupils in apprenticeships | 6% | 5.31% | 4.78% |
| Pupils staying in employment | 2% | 2.31% | 2.46% |
A level exam result
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 37.59 | 31.35 | 29.99 |
| Average grade | B- | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 39.06 | 30.77 | 29.55 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | B | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 15.80% | 11.82% | 13.64% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | 49 | 154 | 201 |
| Students staying in education | 51% | 45.92% | 58.59% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 2% | 6.69% | 6.08% |
| Students entering employment | 38% | 32.38% | 21.14% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | 6% | 9.38% | 9.05% |
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 41.52 | 37.79 | 33.4 |
| Average grade | B | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 42 | 37.55 | 32.48 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | B+ | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 10.0% | 18.72% | 17.69% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | 74 | 176 | 248 |
| Students staying in education | 61% | 48.69% | 60.66% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 7% | 5.38% | 5% |
| Students entering employment | 20% | 29.69% | 17.72% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | 8% | 11.85% | 10.7% |
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 A level school exam
results were not published at school level.
Exam Result Not Published
Due to the pandemic, 2020 and 2021 A level school exam
results were not published at school level.
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 33.23 2 | 28.56 | 29.38 |
| Average grade | C+ | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 34.44 3 | 28.14 | 28.64 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | C+ | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 8.3% | 10.79% | 13.04% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | 93 | 187 | 231 |
| Students staying in education | 55% | 45.92% | 57.28% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 9% | 8% | 7.78% |
| Students entering employment | 33% | 32.42% | 20.99% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | 5% | 10.17% | 8.8% |
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 35.06 5 | 27.97 | 29.02 |
| Average grade | B- | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 37.55 3 | 27.64 | 28.82 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | B- | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 18.4% | 11.45% | 13.34% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | - | 5 | 3 |
| Students staying in education | 26 | 41.83% | 31.48% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | 7% | 7.33% | 5.54% |
| Students entering employment | 29% | 24.92% | 15.8% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | - | 5.08% | 4.22% |
Explore their results and progress scores, showing how they've grown and achieved during this important stage of their education.
| A level Result | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average points | 30.97 | 27.58 | 26.73 |
| Average grade | C | - | - |
| Average points (Best 3) | 34.29 | 28.75 | 27.74 |
| Average Grade (Best 3) | C+ | - | - |
| AAB or higher | 7.9% | 12.01% | 12.63% |
Discover where pupils headed after A-levels. Explore who either stayed in education or went into employment.
| Students destinations | School | LA | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of students | - | 7 | 3 |
| Students staying in education | 24 | 44.33% | 36.22% |
| Students entering apprenticeships | - | 7.67% | 6.37% |
| Students entering employment | 33% | 28.25% | 20.04% |
| Students not in education or employment for at least two terms after study | - | 5.33% | 4.23% |
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Admission
Holidays & terms
Holidays 2024/25
| Holidays | Date |
|---|---|
| Autumn Half Term Holidays | 28th Oct 2024 - 1st Nov 2024 |
| Winter Holidays | 23rd Dec 2024 - 3rd Jan 2025 |
| Spring Half Term Holidays | 17th Feb 2025 - 21st Feb 2025 |
| Spring Holidays | 7th Apr 2025 - 21st Apr 2025 |
| Summer Half Term Holidays | 26th May 2025 - 30th May 2025 |
| Summer Holidays | 24th Jul 2025 - 29th Aug 2025 |
Terms Dates 2024/25
| Terms | Dates |
|---|---|
| Autumn Term | 3rd Sep 2024 - 27th Oct 2024 |
| Autumn Term-2 | 2nd Nov 2024 - 22nd Dec 2024 |
| Spring Term | 4th Jan 2025 - 16th Feb 2025 |
| Spring Term-2 | 22nd Feb 2025 - 6th Apr 2025 |
| Summer Term | 22nd Apr 2025 - 25th May 2025 |
| Summer Term-2 | 31st May 2025 - 23rd Jul 2025 |
Students Teachers
17 : 1
Student teacher ratio at The Blandford School
Local authority ratio 18 : 1
