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School directory data from the Department for Education's Get Information about Schools register (updated 19 July 2026) and Ofsted inspection outcomes (updated 30 June 2026). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

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Stage of educationNursery shows nursery schools and primary schools with a nursery class (from age 3 or younger). Primary schools usually take ages 4-11 (Reception to Year 6); secondary schools take ages 11-16, or 11-18 with a sixth form.

Grammar or non-selectiveGrammar schools choose pupils by an entrance test, often called the 11-plus. Non-selective schools don't test.

FaithFaith schools have a religious character and may give priority to families of that faith in their admissions.

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Ofsted ratingThe overall grade from the school's latest full Ofsted inspection. Newer inspections no longer give a single grade, so some recently inspected schools show no rating here.

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158 schools found

Council: Dorset

Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School

Dorchester, Dorset - DT2 7LA

Nursery - Year 4 (ages 3-9)

“We will strive to create an environment that has a whole school approach, in providing excellent mental health support, understanding and intervention. We will put Wellbeing at the heart of our school to ensure successful learning, and commit to our policies reflecting this practice.”

PrimaryEstablishedOfsted: GoodQuality of education: Good

Charmouth Primary School

Bridport, Dorset - DT6 6LR

Nursery - Year 6 (ages 3-11)

“At Charmouth, we are committed to providing a high-quality education for children aged 3 to 11 within a nurturing, inclusive and ambitious community. We believe children thrive when they feel known, valued and safe.”

PrimaryEstablished

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Ofsted: Requires improvement

Quality of education: Requires improvement

Cheselbourne Village School

DORCHESTER, Dorset - DT2 7NT

Nursery - Year 4 (ages 3-9)

“Cheselbourne Village School is a first school for children aged 4 to 9 years old, with a pre-school provision called Caterpillars Preschool for children aged from 2 years 9 months to school age.”

PrimaryEstablishedOfsted: Good

Chickerell Primary Academy

Weymouth, Dorset - DT3 4AT

Nursery - Year 6 (ages 2-11)

“CURRENT SCHOOL CONTEXT as of SEPT 26: NOR 401. Our school ,part of First Federation MAT, is a school that ensures that children’s best interests are at”

PrimarySince 2013No rating on record

Colehill First School

Wimborne, Dorset - BH21 2LZ

Year 1 - Year 4 (ages 5-9)

“Ours is a school with a strong community spirit. We believe in close partnership between home and school, and warmly welcome parents / carers and family members into school.”

PrimaryEstablishedOfsted: GoodQuality of education: Good

Conifers Primary School

Weymouth, Dorset - DT4 0QF

Reception - Year 6 (ages 4-11)

“Conifers Primary School opened on 1 September 2004. The school is designated a ‘Community’ school and admits children aged from 4 – 11 years”

PrimaryEstablishedOfsted: GoodQuality of education: Good

Corfe Castle Church of England Primary School

Wareham, Dorset - BH20 5EE

Nursery - Year 6 (ages 2-11)

“We feel that as we nurture, inspire and achieve, we develop the four core values to ensure we all, staff, governors, children, parents and carers, and other stakeholders, use our gifts to work together to serve each other and our community.”

PrimaryEstablishedOfsted: GoodQuality of education: Good

Cranborne Church of England First School

Wimborne, Dorset - BH21 5QB

Nursery - Year 4 (ages 2-9)

“🌟 A Very Warm Welcome to Our New Children! 🌟 We are delighted to welcome all of our new Nursery children and families to Cranborne First School & Nursery.”

PrimarySince 2021Ofsted: GoodQuality of education: Good

Cranborne Middle School

Wimborne, Dorset - BH21 5RP

Year 5 - Year 8 (ages 9-13)

Middle deemed secondaryEstablishedNo rating on record

Damers First School

Dorchester, Dorset - DT1 3DF

Reception - Year 4 (ages 4-9)

“At Damers First School we strive to nurture an inclusive community of respectful, collaborative learners who are encouraged to constantly achieve their very best.”

PrimaryEstablishedNo rating on record

Dorchester Learning Centre

Dorchester, Dorset - DT2 9PS

Year 1 - Year 13 (ages 5-18)

“The Dorchester Learning Centre encompasses two sites in Dorset. We share one common purpose: to provide the very best in education and support for all children who (for a variety of reasons) find themselves outside of mainstream school education.”

Not applicableSince 2001Ofsted: GoodQuality of education: Good

Dorchester Middle School

Dorchester, Dorset - DT1 2HS

Year 5 - Year 8 (ages 9-13)

“We are committed to providing education opportunities of the highest quality for our pupils. We aim to deliver a broad education that is ambitious and stimulating in a caring environment that creates well-rounded individuals who are ready for the challenge of tomorrow.”

Middle deemed secondaryEstablishedOfsted: Requires improvementQuality of education: Requires improvement

Dorset Studio School

Dorchester, Dorset - DT2 8PX

Year 7 - Year 11 (ages 11-16)

“Events like the Dorset Spring Show play a key role in the school’s approach to land‑based education, offering students the chance to learn beyond the classroom, connect with the wider agricultural community and take pride in representing their school in a real‑world setting.”

SecondarySince 2014Ofsted: GoodQuality of education: Good

Downlands Community School

Blandford Forum, Dorset - DT11 8BG

Nursery - Year 6 (ages 3-11)

“Downlands Community School is an inclusive, caring and safe environment, allowing everyone to enjoy learning and achieve their full potential. All members of the school community are encouraged to show respect and understanding for each other.”

PrimaryEstablishedOfsted: Requires improvementQuality of education: Requires improvement

Dunbury Church of England Academy

Winterborne Whitechurch, Dorset - DT11 0AW

Nursery - Year 6 (ages 2-11)

“At Dunbury the children come first; they are at the centre of everything we do. We believe that all of the children in our care deserve the very best education. Our team of teachers and support staff work hard to enable each and every child to be the best they can be.”

PrimaryEstablishedOfsted: Good

Durweston Church of England Primary School

Blandford Forum, Dorset - DT11 0QA

Nursery - Year 6 (ages 3-11)

“Our school values the individuality of all our children. We are committed to giving all of our children every opportunity to make the best possible progress and to achieve the highest standards they can. We have high expectations of our children: their achievements, attitudes and well-being matter.”

PrimaryEstablishedOfsted: GoodQuality of education: Good

Emmanuel Church of England Middle School

Verwood, Dorset - BH31 6JF

Year 5 - Year 8 (ages 9-13)

“As a Middle School, Emmanuel is committed to serving all the children and parents of Verwood in Years 5 to 8.”

Middle deemed secondaryEstablishedOfsted: GoodQuality of education: Good

Ferndown First School

Ferndown, Dorset - BH22 9FB

Reception - Year 4 (ages 4-9)

“Together the school values spell our 5th Value of CARE. Although these values cannot be taught we can show children what they look like in practice and we can model these values as adults to the children in all aspects of school life.”

PrimaryEstablishedOfsted: Good

Ferndown Middle School

Ferndown, Dorset - BH22 9UP

Year 5 - Year 8 (ages 9-13)

“We value strong, committed partnerships between parents and school and believe this is crucial in our children’s development into successful young adults. Throughout their schooling children need to feel safe, both physically and emotionally, before they can begin to develop intellectually.”

Middle deemed secondaryEstablishedOfsted: Good

Ferndown Upper School

Ferndown, Dorset - BH22 9EY

“At Ferndown Upper we want our students to grow into caring, confident, independent young people who value their education and are ambitious for their futures. Our success is based upon high expectations and outstanding support from all members of the school community.”

SecondaryEstablishedNo rating on record