Best Secondary Schools in Dorset 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 18 schools across Dorset. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Dorset has 18 secondary schools, of which 1 (6%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and a further 14 rated Good — 83% of secondary schools in Dorset are rated Good or Outstanding overall. The Woodroffe School currently leads the local rankings on our composite SNM Score.

Application deadlines in Dorset follow the national calendar: 31 October for Year 7 secondary entry and 15 January for Reception primary entry. Offers go out on 1 March and 16 April respectively.

18
Total schools
1
Outstanding
6%
Outstanding rate
57%
Avg KS2 SATs
35.5
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 The Woodroffe School
Secondary
 Good 67 View school
🥈 Beaminster School
Secondary
 Good 61 View school
🥉 The Blandford School
Secondary
 Good 61 View school
4. Lytchett Minster School
Secondary
 Good 61 View school
5. The Gryphon School
Secondary
 Good 61 View school
6. Sturminster Newton High School
Secondary
 Good 60 View school
7. Ferndown Upper School
Secondary
 Good 60 View school
8. The Sir John Colfox Academy
Secondary
 Good 56 View school
9. Gillingham School
Secondary
 Good 56 View school
10. The Purbeck School
Secondary
 Good 55 View school
11. Wey Valley Academy
Secondary
 Good 54 View school
12. Shaftesbury School
Secondary
 Good 51 View school
13. The Thomas Hardye School
Secondary
 Outstanding 50 View school
14. The Swanage School
Secondary
 Good 49 View school
15. Queen Elizabeth's School
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 47 View school
16. Dorset Studio School
Secondary
 Good 45 View school
17. Budmouth Academy Weymouth
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 44 View school
18. All Saints' Church of England Academy
Secondary
 Requires Improvement 37 View school

Related lists for Dorset

All schools in DorsetPrimary & secondary combined Primary schools in DorsetReception–Year 6 only Outstanding schools in Dorset1 school rated Outstanding

See full data for any school in Dorset

Catchment distances, exam trends, SEN data, attendance, and more — all in one place.

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Frequently asked questions

How many secondary schools are there in Dorset?
There are 18 secondary schools in Dorset, of which 1 (6%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
What are the best schools in Dorset?
Based on our composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance and class sizes, the top school in Dorset is The Woodroffe School. See the full ranked list above.
How do I apply for a school place in Dorset?
Primary and secondary school applications in Dorset are managed by the Local Authority. Applications for secondary places typically open in September for the following academic year. Visit the Dorset council website for application forms and deadlines.
What is the average Ofsted rating in Dorset?
6% of secondary schools in Dorset are rated Outstanding and 78% are rated Good. 70.3% are rated Good or Outstanding.

Data sourced from Ofsted, Department for Education, and ISI. School rankings reflect the Schools Near Me composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance, and pupil-teacher ratios. Last updated April 2026.