The Sir John Colfox Academy
Bridport, DT6 3DT · Dorset · secondary school
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7th 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 — 4.6/10 against 910 of them, against 4.8/10 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 | 43.4 · 46 | 30% | 1.37 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.01 · 51 | 25% | 1.28 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 45.9 · 49 | 10% | 0.49 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Sir John Colfox Academy overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted, following an inspection in 2023. In 2024/25, 34.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 43.0, compared with the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.01 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.6 out of 10 among them, against 3.7 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Homework Club and an after-school club, and the school hosts Art Exhibitions.
Getting in
The published school roll is 756 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,024. 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 gap between their current attainment and the national median? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How are the after-school clubs structured to help with homework and revision?
What Ofsted said about The Sir John Colfox Academy
Overview
The Sir John Colfox Academy continues to be a good school, where pupils value strong relationships with adults and feel safe. The curriculum is well-planned and ambitious, with a strong emphasis on reading and broadening experiences beyond the classroom. However, inconsistencies in behaviour management and varying expectations of pupil effort currently hinder consistent high standards.
Strengths
- Pupils benefit from a "thoughtfully sequenced" curriculum that builds on prior learning and prepares them for the wider world.
- Reading is prioritised effectively, with pupils enjoying independent reading and receiving expert support to catch up if needed.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are "accurately identified" and receive effective support from staff who know them well.
- The school offers a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities, including sports and community volunteering, fostering a "tolerant and respectful" environment.
- Leaders engage positively with staff, and the transition to the new trust has been smooth, with effective support for improving systems.
Areas to improve
- The new behaviour policy is not always implemented effectively by all staff, leading to occasional lesson disruptions.
- High expectations of pupils are not shared by all staff, resulting in inconsistent attitudes towards learning and work quality.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 43.7 |
| 2024/25 | 43.0 |
| 2025/26 | 45.9 |
| 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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