Dormers Wells High School
106%
Capacity
1,485
Pupils
2.8x
Demand
About Dormers Wells High School
Dormers Wells High School is a mixed state secondary in Ealing that is significantly oversubscribed, a clear signal of its local reputation. With 1,485 pupils against a capacity of 1,400, the school is operating above its official limit. For the 2025/26 intake, there were 684 applications for 242 places, an oversubscription ratio of 2.83, and 215 first-preference applications resulted in 209 offers. The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals stands at 31.8%, well above the national average for secondary schools, which typically sits around 23-24%. This suggests a diverse intake with a higher-than-average level of disadvantage, yet the school’s popularity among local families remains strong, indicating that it is seen as a positive choice within the community.
Academically, Dormers Wells delivers strong outcomes, particularly at Key Stage 4. Its Progress 8 score of 0.63 is rated as ‘well above average’ nationally and comfortably exceeds the Ealing local authority average of 0.5. This means pupils here make significantly more progress than similar students across the country. The Attainment 8 score is 49.6, and 75.2% of pupils achieved a grade 4 or above in English and maths. Progress in maths is especially strong at 0.94, and the EBacc average point score is 4.56. At A-level, the picture is more mixed: the value-added score is -0.42, placing the sixth form in the ‘below average’ banding, with an average grade of C per entry. The school ranks 7th out of 16 secondaries in Ealing on Progress 8, placing it in the top quarter nationally.
The school offers a wide range of facilities including a theatre, swimming pool, sports hall, astro turf, and a dedicated sixth form centre. Sports provision covers hockey, rowing, and athletics, while clubs include the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, debate, and a science club. SEND support is comprehensive, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, autistic spectrum disorder, and speech, language and communication needs. The school is non-religious and has a chapel on site, though its religious character is listed as ‘does not apply’. For families prioritising academic progress and a diverse, inclusive environment, Dormers Wells is a strong contender, especially given its oversubscribed status. However, those focused on sixth-form outcomes may want to compare it with nearby outstanding providers like Villiers High School, just 1.1 km away.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Dormers Wells Lane, Southall, Ealing, UB1 3HZ |
| Headteacher | Roisin Walsh |
| Local Authority | Ealing |
| Number of Pupils | 1,485 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 31.8% |
| School Capacity | 1,485 / 1,400 (106% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
1 Dec 2021Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (1 Dec 2021): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 15 Jun 2012. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.63)
346th of 3,141
Nationally
127th of 487
In London
7th of 16
In Ealing
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly more progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
37.9
'22/23
29.6
'23/24
29.5
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
Where school leavers go
2022/2377%
of A-level / Level 3 leavers go to higher education (cohort: 129 pupils).
Top-tier university progression
20%
Russell Group
21%
Top-third HE
2%
Oxford / Cambridge
Percentages of the whole cohort (not just HE-goers). Russell Group = 24 elite research universities. Top-third HE = top by mean UCAS tariff.
- University (HE)77%
- Employment11%
- Not sustained5%
- Apprenticeship2%
- Further education1%
- Other education1%
Sources: DfE 16-18 destination measures (broad bucket); DfE KS5 student destinations file (Russell Group / top-third HE / Oxbridge). Level 3 cohort. “Sustained” means the pupil was in education, apprenticeship or employment for 6 months in the year following completion.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
13Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
14Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed242
684
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
215 families put this school as their 1st choice (31% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
Better than half of schools in England.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Above the national average (25%) — higher-disadvantage intake.
Among the highest 25% — a diverse linguistic intake.
Ethnic background
- Asian67.6%
- White (other)3.3%
- Mixed3.0%
- White British1.4%
- Black0.3%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Half of schools in England do better than this.
Better than half of schools in England.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Permanent exclusion is rare — most schools have none in a given year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
⚠ This school is oversubscribed — without published cutoff data we can't show how far places reach. Check your council's admissions page.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
17
Total schools
16
Oversubscribed
12
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dormers Wells High School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Dormers Wells Lane, Southall
Ealing, UB1 3HZ
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
Parent Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience at Dormers Wells High School!
Write a Review