Shaftesbury School
67%
Capacity
864
Pupils
1.6x
Demand
About Shaftesbury School
Shaftesbury School is a state-funded Church of England secondary school serving the Dorset community, welcoming children from age 11 to 18. The school has 864 pupils on roll, operating at 67% capacity.
Ofsted has rated Shaftesbury School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Donna London-Hill, it falls under Dorset local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.50 is well below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 42.1. Additionally, sixth form students achieve an average A-Level grade of C-. Additionally, ranked 2605th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 18th out of 20 in Dorset.
Shaftesbury School is a popular choice with families — it received 199 applications for 122 places, making it 1.6x oversubscribed. Of these, 120 were first-preference applications.
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Shaftesbury School include Swimming Pool, Sports Hall, Science Labs, Art Studios, Playing Fields, Tennis Courts, Chapel, Sixth Form Centre.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Dance, Gymnastics, Netball, Football and 5 more, as well as clubs including Science Club, Gardening, Art Club, Eco Club and 4 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 27.3%, which is above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Dorset, Shaftesbury School is one of the options available in the South West region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 18 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Church of England |
| Address | Salisbury Road, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8ER |
| Headteacher | Donna London-Hill |
| Local Authority | Dorset |
| Number of Pupils | 864 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 27.3% |
| School Capacity | 864 / 1,283 (67% full) |
| Sixth Form | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
7 Mar 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 10 May 2023. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.50)
2605th of 3,141
Nationally
271st of 306
In South West
18th 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.
A-Level Results
2023/24Average Points per Entry
Value Added Score
Best 3 A-Levels (Average)
'21/22
36.8
'22/23
26.3
'23/24
28.0
Source: Department for Education 16-18 Performance Tables, 2023/24. Value Added measures progress compared to students with similar GCSE results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
17Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed122
199
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
120 families put this school as their 1st choice (60% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Shaftesbury 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
Salisbury Road, Shaftesbury
Dorset, SP7 8ER
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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