Dorset Studio School
Dorchester, DT2 8PX · Dorset · secondary school
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15th of 19 secondary schools in Dorset we can score, 29 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.3/10 against 750 of them, against 0.7/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 13.3 · 1 | 30% | 0.02 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.5 · 16 | 25% | 0.40 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 32.0 · 2 | 10% | 0.02 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Dorset Studio School overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted following an inspection in May 2024. In 2024/25, 14.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 34.1, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.5 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (0.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh and King's Trust clubs, and participate in British Eventing Horse Trials and Dressage.
Getting in
The published school roll is 332 pupils against a stated capacity of 375. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the attainment gap with national medians? What specific support is available for students aiming for higher grades in English and maths? How does the curriculum prepare pupils for the Progress 8 measure?
What Ofsted said about Dorset Studio School
Overview
The inspection found that Dorset Studio School provides a high-quality education where the curriculum is "well matched to pupils’ starting points and future aspirations." Pupils feel safe and enjoy attending, supported by "warm and friendly" interactions with staff. The school is judged as Good across all inspection categories, with particular praise for its specialist land-based curriculum and support for pupils with special educational needs.
Strengths
- The "land-based curriculum inspires and motivates pupils," with learning in core subjects linked to this specialist area where possible.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities "thrive and achieve good outcomes" due to well-adapted curriculum design.
- A "thorough careers programme" helps pupils understand local job demands and challenges gender stereotypes.
- Staff possess "strong knowledge of the subjects they teach," enabling them to present information clearly.
- Pupils are "well prepared for their next steps in education and training," with many moving into employment or related further education.
Areas to improve
- Teachers do not always correct identified mistakes or misconceptions, leading to "gaps in their knowledge that persist."
- Not all staff ensure pupils meet high behavioural expectations, resulting in some pupils being "inattentive or distracted by their peers."
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 29.1 |
| 2024/25 | 34.1 |
| 2025/26 | 32.0 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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