1
The Thomas Hardye School
Dorchester • Dorset • DT1 2ET
1
20 Apr 2015
Top 10 Secondary schools in Dorset
Updated for the latest inspections (median graded year: 2023)
This Top 10 showcases secondary schools in the local authority of Dorset. It’s built from the latest graded Ofsted inspections. We rank Outstanding (grade 1) above Good (grade 2), then prioritise newer inspections. As tie-breakers, we consider the “Quality of education” sub-judgement (where available), then %FSM and school size.
Total secondary schools
18
Outstanding
1
Good
14
Median inspection year
2023
Ofsted grade mix (graded schools)
O: 6% · G: 78% · RI: 17% · I: 0%
2
The Blandford School
Blandford Forum • Dorset • DT11 7SQ
2
21 May 2024
3
Dorset Studio School
Dorchester • Dorset • DT2 8PX
2
15 May 2024
4
The Woodroffe School
Lyme Regis • Dorset • DT7 3LX
2
28 Jan 2024
5
The Swanage School
Swanage • Dorset • BH19 2PH
2
13 Dec 2023
6
Wey Valley Academy
Weymouth • Dorset • DT3 5AN
2
29 Nov 2023
7
Beaminster School
Beaminster • Dorset • DT8 3EP
2
12 Nov 2023
8
Gillingham School
Gillingham • Dorset • SP8 4QP
2
4 Jul 2023
9
Shaftesbury School
Shaftesbury • Dorset • SP7 8ER
2
10 May 2023
10
The Sir John Colfox Academy
Bridport • Dorset • DT6 3DT
2
23 Apr 2018
How we rank these schools
- Headline Ofsted grade: Outstanding (1) outranks Good (2), then RI (3), then Inadequate (4).
- More recent graded inspection dates rank higher.
- Where available, we use the Quality of education sub-judgement as a tie-breaker.
- Lower free school meals (%) may break remaining ties.
- Larger roll (pupil count) is a final tie-breaker.
Only the ten highest-ranked schools are shown; we also list “near misses” just below.
About Ofsted grades
- Outstanding (1): Highest judgement across key areas.
- Good (2): Strong effectiveness; meets standards consistently.
- Requires improvement (3): Not yet good; clear areas to improve.
- Inadequate (4): Significant weaknesses found.
Ungraded Section 8 visits check whether the previous graded judgement still stands, but they don’t replace it.
Data freshness & coverage
We refresh inspections and school snapshots regularly. If a school was inspected very recently, its report may not yet appear here.
Top-10 pages only appear for areas with at least 10 secondary schools that have a graded Ofsted inspection.
Map of the Top 10
Also highly rated nearby
- Ferndown Upper School 2 • Jul 2016
- Sturminster Newton High School 2 • Jun 2015
- The Purbeck School 2 • Feb 2015
- The Gryphon School 2 • Feb 2014
- Lytchett Minster School 2 • Jul 2013
- Budmouth Academy Weymouth 3 • May 2024
- Queen Elizabeth's School 3 • Feb 2024
- All Saints' Church of England Academy 3 • Jan 2024