Sturminster Newton High School
Sturminster Newton, DT10 1DT · Dorset · secondary school
Check the area around this school
16th 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 — 2.4/10 against 812 of them, against 2.5/10 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 | 16 | 35% | 0.55 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 36.0 · 27 | 30% | 0.82 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.39 · 21 | 25% | 0.53 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 41.4 · 26 | 10% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Sturminster Newton High School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 49.0% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 46.1, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.39 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.5 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in April 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Debating club and the Dorset Bach Cantata Band. House sport and Sports Day are held, alongside tours and visits to professional sporting events. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 605 pupils against a stated capacity of 900. 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 areas did the April 2026 Ofsted inspection highlight for development?
What Ofsted said about Sturminster Newton High School
Overview
Sturminster Newton High School is described as a small community where pupils feel safe, valued, and well supported. The report states that the school is fulfilling the "expected standard" of education and care, with leaders having stabilised the school’s culture and governance in recent years.
Strengths
- Pupils achieve well, typically in line with national averages, with gaps in knowledge closed quickly and disadvantaged pupils progressing steadily.
- Behaviour is positive, with a "calm and orderly atmosphere" and low levels of suspensions due to effective leadership and clear routines.
- Staff provide effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities, including mental health assistance in the ‘hub’.
- Leaders foster a strong sense of community, ensuring staff wellbeing and engaging constructively with parents and carers.
- The curriculum is broad and ambitious, with a focus on developing literacy and core mathematics skills.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure teaching consistently identifies and removes barriers to learning so pupils "know more and remember more over time".
- Highly effective teaching should be consistently embedded across all subjects, including post-16, to ensure all pupils achieve very well.
- Leaders should continue to remove barriers to attendance so that all pupils attend well.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an open culture where concerns are actively identified, acted upon, and managed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 42.2 |
| 2024/25 | 46.1 |
| 2025/26 | 41.4 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of DT10 1DT, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT