The pupil total covers 149 of 151 state-funded primary and secondary schools in Dorset area. These figures count pupils enrolled at schools in the area covered by this page, not children living there. The same directory geography is used for the summary and the school catalogue; see “Which area does this page cover?” for its boundaries. We use the latest pupil counts in our school directory; reporting years are not recorded consistently, so this is not a single-year census. Schools without published pupil counts are excluded from the totals. Nurseries and private schools are not included.
Our current directory lists 279 schools and nurseries: 123 nurseries, 119 state primary schools, 32 state secondary schools and 5 private schools. Categories can overlap or omit other school types, so their counts may not add up to the total. These are Classpot directory counts, not a census of every education provider.
Where Classpot Rating is available, we show up to 10 highest-ranked schools scoring 5/10 or higher for that category. Schools below 5/10 remain in the full catalogue. The rating combines 90% academic attainment and 10% attendance using 2024/25 data. Primary and secondary schools are compared separately. Equal results share a rank; a preview is limited to 10 even when schools tie. If no rated schools meet the threshold, the selection is empty. The rating does not measure every aspect of a school or guarantee that it suits your child.
When comparable Classpot Ratings are unavailable, we show up to five schools alphabetically. Nurseries and private schools do not receive a Classpot Rating in this version. Missing data does not mean a low score. See all opens the full category catalogue for this area, including schools without ratings.
Use the Primary and Secondary tabs above to see their separate Classpot Rating selections on this page. Use the full catalogue to filter schools by the information that matters to your family.
No. Classpot Rating compares published academic and attendance data. Ofsted information is shown separately and reflects the available inspection record. Check the inspection date and framework on the school profile; an older overall grade is not a current assessment of every aspect of the school.
Apply through the local authority where your child lives. For September 2027 entry, the national deadlines are 31 October 2026 for secondary and 15 January 2027 for primary. National offer days are 1 March 2027 and 16 April 2027, respectively, or the next working day if needed. Check the council and school for opening dates, supplementary forms and their current policy.
No. Admissions may consider looked-after children, siblings, faith, selection and distance, depending on the school. Historic admission distances and oversubscription describe a previous cohort and do not predict an offer. The district boundary on this page is not a catchment boundary.
