Dorset Studio School
87%
Capacity
325
Pupils
2.0x
Demand
About Dorset Studio School
Dorset Studio School was rated Good in its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2024, a rating it has held consistently across both its graded inspections. The school's Progress 8 score of -0.5 is the most telling academic metric, and it sits below the Dorset local authority average of -0.09. This places the school 18th out of 30 secondary schools in the county, and 2601st nationally out of 3141 schools. The Attainment 8 score of 29.1 further illustrates that pupils' overall GCSE results are lower than many local alternatives. Just 21.9% of students achieved a grade 5 or above in English and maths, and no pupils entered the English Baccalaureate suite of qualifications. The school's Progress 8 breakdown shows that maths is the weakest area, with a score of -0.87, while English and the EBacc subjects are also below average. These figures suggest that while the school provides a satisfactory standard of education, its academic outcomes are not its strongest suit.
The Ofsted report from March 2024 awarded Good marks across all five categories: overall effectiveness, quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. This consistency is notable, as the previous inspection in 2017 also rated the school Good overall, with leadership and management also judged Good. The school has 325 pupils on roll against a capacity of 375, and a relatively high proportion of students eligible for free school meals at 30.8%. The school does not have a sixth form, so pupils must move on elsewhere after Year 11. The school offers a wide range of SEND provisions, including support for autistic spectrum disorder, speech and language difficulties, and social, emotional and mental health needs. This suggests the school is well equipped to support students with additional needs, which may be a key factor for some families.
Dorset Studio School was oversubscribed for the 2025/26 academic year, receiving 124 applications for 62 places, with 61 first-preference offers made. This gives an oversubscription ratio of 2:1, indicating strong local demand despite the below-average academic outcomes. Facilities include a swimming pool, sports hall, playing fields, music rooms, and an ICT suite, and the school offers a broad range of sports from rowing to netball and hockey. Clubs include art, chess, eco, gardening, science, orchestra, choir, and Model UN. This school may suit families who prioritise a supportive environment with strong SEND provision and a wide extracurricular offer over top-tier academic results. It is a good fit for students who benefit from smaller class sizes and a community feel, but parents focused on high GCSE outcomes may want to look at higher-performing schools in the Dorset area.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | None |
| Address | Kingston Maurward, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8PX |
| Headteacher | Jason Malone |
| Local Authority | Dorset |
| Number of Pupils | 325 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 30.8% |
| School Capacity | 325 / 375 (87% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
5 Mar 2024Overall Effectiveness
Good
Source: Ofsted, 15 May 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.50)
2601st of 3,141
Nationally
270th of 306
In South West
17th of 20
In Dorset
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly less 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.
Where GCSE leavers go
2022/234%
of GCSE leavers stay on for sixth form at this school (cohort: 68 pupils).
- FE college75%
- Apprenticeship10%
- Not sustained6%
- School sixth form (stay)4%
- Employment3%
94% of leavers had a sustained destination 6 months on.
Source: DfE Compare School & College Performance, KS4 pupil destinations 2022/23 (revised). Only state-funded schools are required to report.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
18Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed62
124
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
61 families put this school as their 1st choice (49% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Class profile
2024/25Better than 75% of schools in England.
Better than 75% 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.
Below most schools — predominantly English as first language.
Ethnic background
- White British84.9%
- Mixed2.7%
- White (other)0.9%
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
2024/2575% of schools in England do better than this.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
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.
1
Total schools
1
Oversubscribed
0
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.
Was this page helpful?
Frequently Asked Questions About Dorset Studio 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
Kingston Maurward, Dorchester
Dorset, DT2 8PX
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 Dorset Studio School!
Write a Review