The Purbeck School
Wareham, BH20 4PF · Dorset · secondary school
5th 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 — 5.2/10 against 930 of them, against 5.3/10 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% | 1.81 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2024/25 | 36.6 · 31 | 30% | 0.93 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.6 · 88 | 25% | 2.20 |
| Attainment 8 2024/25 | 41.9 · 29 | 10% | 0.29 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Get to know the school
How it's doing. The school was rated Good by Ofsted in June 2025. In 2024/25, 36.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 41.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.6 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Its position is much the same whether compared with all schools or only those whose pupils have similar backgrounds (5.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.3 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom. Pupils can join a STEM club, play football or tennis, and participate in the choir or musical. Trips include an Africa Ghana Adventure and a Journey to Rwanda. An after-school club is available.
Getting in. There are 1028 pupils in a school with 1180 places, leaving 152 spare places. The school has a little room, but is fairly full.
Worth asking on a visit. How does the school support pupils to close the gap between its Attainment 8 score and the national median? What specific support is available for students who need help reaching the Grade 5 threshold in English and maths? How does the after-school club operate for pupils who finish at different times?
Written by AI from this school's published results, inspection record and its own website — not by Ofsted, the school, or SchoolsGPT staff. Every figure above comes from the sources on this page. Check anything that matters with the school.
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.
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