Queen Elizabeth's School
Wimborne, BH21 4DT · Dorset · secondary school
Check the area around this school
13th 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.
Narrow the comparison to the 827 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 1.9/10 among them, against 4.2/10 nationally. 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 | 5 | 35% | 0.19 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 43.6 · 46 | 30% | 1.39 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.17 · 37 | 25% | 0.93 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 44.4 · 41 | 10% | 0.41 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Queen Elizabeth's School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 37.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 43.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.17 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than nationally matched peers. Ofsted rated the school "Requires improvement" in February 2024. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 0.9 out of 10 among them, against 3.5 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the DofE and the Junior Athlete Education Programme.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,375 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,580. 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 improve their Progress 8 scores? What specific actions are being taken to address the "Requires improvement" rating? How does the DofE programme integrate with the wider curriculum?
What Ofsted said about Queen Elizabeth's School
Overview
The report states that the quality of education and leadership require improvement, while behaviour, personal development, and sixth-form provision are rated as good. Inspectors found that while pupils are safe and conduct themselves well, expectations for learning in many subjects are too low, leading to a lack of depth in subject knowledge. The school’s vision promotes hope and respect, but the curriculum does not always clearly define the most important knowledge pupils need to acquire.
Strengths
- Pupils are "safe and conduct themselves well," contributing to a "calm and orderly atmosphere."
- Sixth-form students benefit from study programmes that "meet their individual needs and aspirations."
- The school provides "useful, unbiased Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance."
- Pupils engage in a "programme of activities to develop pupils’ talents and interests," such as clubs and festivals.
- The personal, social and health education curriculum is "appropriate for each year group," helping pupils discuss sensitive topics respectfully.
Areas to improve
- The trust must ensure each subject curriculum "sets out precisely what pupils should learn and by when" to address gaps in knowledge.
- The curriculum must enhance pupils’ reading and improve the "quality and accuracy of pupils’ writing," as current expectations are too low.
- The trust must ensure "strong oversight in all areas of the school’s work" so that improvements are made and sustained, addressing concerns that trustees do not hold the school strongly to account.
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 | 45.2 |
| 2024/25 | 43.3 |
| 2025/26 | 44.4 |
| 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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