Dorset academies & free schools league table 2025
State-funded schools run by academy trusts. Ranked by the Success Index (England) from official English data; 100 schools in Dorset, South West. Rank positions shown on each profile are within England and South West.
- 196St James Church of England First SchoolWimborne · Academy Primary– · 134 students
- 293St Mary's Catholic First School, DorchesterDorchester · Academy Primary– · 177 students
- 392St James' Church of England First School and Nursery, AlderholtFordingbridge · Academy Primary– · 125 students
- 491St Ives Primary & Nursery SchoolRingwood · Academy Primary90% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 245 students
- 589Hayeswood First SchoolWimborne · Academy Primary– · 148 students
- 688Sixpenny Handley First School and NurserySalisbury · Academy Primary– · 73 students
- 787Trent Young's CofE Primary SchoolSherborne · Academy Primary95% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 143 students
- 885Henbury View First SchoolWimborne · Academy Primary– · 148 students
- 985Lockyer's Middle SchoolWimborne · Academy Secondary76% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 436 students
- 1084Pamphill Church of England First SchoolWimborne · Academy Primary– · 67 students
- 1184Puddletown Church of England First SchoolDorchester · Academy Primary– · 134 students
- 1283Colehill First SchoolWimborne · Academy Primary– · 148 students
- 1383St Mary's Church of England First School, CharminsterDorchester · Academy Primary– · 148 students
- 1482Wimborne St Giles Church of England First School and NurseryWimborne · Academy Primary– · 70 students
- 1580Spetisbury CofE Primary SchoolBlandford Forum · Academy Primary77% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 187 students
- 1676Parley First SchoolFerndown · Academy Primary– · 313 students
- 1775Hampreston Church of England Voluntary Aided First SchoolWimborne · Academy Primary– · 134 students
- 1874Verwood Church of England First SchoolVerwood · Academy Primary– · 289 students
- 1973Trinity Church of England First SchoolVerwood · Academy Primary– · 128 students
- 2072Wimborne First School and NurseryWimborne · Academy Primary– · 400 students
- 2169Burton Bradstock Church of England Voluntary Controlled SchoolBridport · Academy Primary64% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 99 students
- 2268Lytchett Matravers Primary SchoolPoole · Academy Primary68% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 484 students
- 2368The Thomas Hardye SchoolDorchester · Academy Secondary49.8 Attainment 8 · 2,014 students
- 2468Allenbourn Middle SchoolWimborne · Academy Secondary68% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 499 students
- 2566Motcombe CofE Primary SchoolShaftesbury · Academy Primary68% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 146 students
- 2666St George's Church of England Primary School, Langton MatraversSwanage · Academy Primary67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 85 students
- 2765St Michael's Church of England Middle School, ColehillWimborne · Academy Secondary65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 563 students
- 2865Durweston Church of England Primary SchoolBlandford Forum · Academy Primary80% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 144 students
- 2965Emmanuel Church of England Middle SchoolVerwood · Academy Secondary65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 434 students
- 3063Hillside Community First SchoolVerwood · Academy Primary– · 221 students
- 3162Stoborough Church of England Primary SchoolWareham · Academy Primary56% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 195 students
- 3261St Mary's CofE First School & NurseryFerndown · Academy Primary– · 148 students
- 3361Cranborne Church of England First SchoolWimborne · Academy Primary– · 73 students
- 3461Buckland Newton Church of England Primary SchoolDorchester · Academy Primary71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 110 students
- 3560Bovington AcademyWareham · Academy Primary71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 180 students
- 3659The Gryphon SchoolSherborne · Academy Secondary46.7 Attainment 8 · 1,569 students
- 3759St Nicholas and St Laurence Church of England Primary SchoolWeymouth · Academy Primary67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 213 students
- 3859Wyke Primary SchoolGillingham · Academy Primary71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 161 students
- 3959Shillingstone Church of England Primary SchoolBlandford Forum · Academy Primary67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 103 students
- 4059St Mary's Church of England Middle School, PuddletownDorchester · Academy Secondary61% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 441 students
- 4158Pimperne Church of England VC Primary SchoolBlandford Forum · Academy Primary63% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 183 students
- 4258St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary SchoolGillingham · Academy Primary59% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 242 students
- 4357St Andrew's Church of England Primary SchoolShaftesbury · Academy Primary– · 101 students
- 4457St Osmund's Church of England Middle SchoolDorchester · Academy Secondary58% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 714 students
- 4555Ferndown First SchoolFerndown · Academy Primary– · 348 students
- 4654Three Legged Cross First and Nursery SchoolWimborne · Academy Primary– · 84 students
- 4754Damers First SchoolDorchester · Academy Primary– · 475 students
- 4854Upton Infant SchoolPoole · Academy Primary– · 250 students
- 4952Manor Park Church of England First SchoolDorchester · Academy Primary– · 396 students
- 5051Blandford St Mary Church of England Primary SchoolBlandford Forum · Academy Primary67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 208 students
- 5150Archbishop Wake Church of England Primary SchoolBlandford Forum · Academy Primary64% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 411 students
- 5250Sturminster Newton High SchoolSturminster Newton · Academy Secondary46.1 Attainment 8 · 605 students
- 5350Oakhurst Community First SchoolFerndown · Academy Primary– · 173 students
- 5448Charmouth Primary SchoolBridport · Academy Primary67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 71 students
- 5548Queen Elizabeth's SchoolWimborne · Academy Secondary43.3 Attainment 8 · 1,375 students
- 5648Beaminster St Mary's AcademyBeaminster · Academy Primary75% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 140 students
- 5748Corfe Castle Church of England Primary SchoolWareham · Academy Primary57% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 87 students
- 5847Frome Valley CofE First SchoolDorchester · Academy Primary– · 141 students
- 5946All Saints Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolSherborne · Academy Primary– · 130 students
- 6046St John's Church of England First School, WimborneWimborne · Academy Primary– · 148 students
- 6146St Mary's Catholic Primary School, MarnhullSturminster Newton · Academy Primary67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 82 students
- 6245Thornford CofE Primary SchoolSherborne · Academy Primary53% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 104 students
- 6342Bridport Primary SchoolBridport · Academy Primary50% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 267 students
- 6441The Purbeck SchoolWareham · Academy Secondary41.9 Attainment 8 · 1,022 students
- 6541Beechcroft St Paul's CofE Primary SchoolWeymouth · Academy Primary61% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 189 students
- 6641St Mary's Catholic Primary School, SwanageSwanage · Academy Primary65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 175 students
- 6741Wey Valley AcademyWeymouth · Academy Secondary41.0 Attainment 8 · 994 students
- 6840Loders CofE Primary AcademyBridport · Academy Primary50% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 72 students
- 6940Dunbury Church of England AcademyWinterborne Whitechurch · Academy Primary45% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 131 students
- 7039The Sir John Colfox AcademyBridport · Academy Secondary43.0 Attainment 8 · 756 students
- 7138Budmouth Academy WeymouthWeymouth · Academy Secondary42.0 Attainment 8 · 1,466 students
- 7236Atlantic Academy PortlandPortland · Academy All-through34.0 Attainment 8 · 769 students
- 7335Gillingham Primary SchoolGillingham · Academy Primary50% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 233 students
- 7435Dorchester Middle SchoolDorchester · Academy Secondary49% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 527 students
- 7534Bridport, St Mary's Church of England Primary SchoolBridport · Academy Primary52% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 194 students
- 7633St George's Church of England School, BourtonGillingham · Academy Primary53% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 142 students
- 7733Milton-on-Stour Church of England Primary SchoolGillingham · Academy Primary39% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 119 students
- 7833Sherborne Abbey Church of England Primary SchoolSherborne · Academy Primary48% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 336 students
- 7933St Andrew's Church of England Primary SchoolWeymouth · Academy Primary56% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 225 students
- 8032Sherborne Primary SchoolSherborne · Academy Primary47% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 304 students
- 8131Shaftesbury Church of England Primary SchoolShaftesbury · Academy Primary44% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 333 students
- 8229Shaftesbury SchoolShaftesbury · Academy Secondary39.1 Attainment 8 · 782 students
- 8328Swanage Primary SchoolSwanage · Academy Primary47% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 222 students
- 8428St John's Church of England Primary SchoolWeymouth · Academy Primary43% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 224 students
- 8527Chickerell Primary AcademyWeymouth · Academy Primary52% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 420 students
- 8627Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary SchoolSwanage · Academy Primary43% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 89 students
- 8727Lulworth and Winfrith CofE Primary SchoolWareham · Academy Primary38% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 95 students
- 8827St Andrew's Church of England Primary SchoolSherborne · Academy Primary31% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 99 students
- 8926St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford AbbasSherborne · Academy Primary44% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 90 students
- 9026Milldown CofE AcademyBlandford Forum · Academy Primary48% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 200 students
- 9125All Saints' Church of England AcademyWeymouth · Academy Secondary35.6 Attainment 8 · 598 students
- 9225St Mary & St Joseph's Catholic Primary SchoolWareham · Academy Primary46% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 81 students
- 9324Wool Church of England Primary SchoolWareham · Academy Primary46% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 116 students
- 9424Ferndown Middle SchoolFerndown · Academy Secondary45% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 600 students
- 9523The Swanage SchoolSwanage · Academy Secondary36.9 Attainment 8 · 349 students
- 9622St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, Child OkefordBlandford Forum · Academy Primary43% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 125 students
- 9722Upton Junior SchoolPoole · Academy Primary47% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 351 students
- 9820St Augustine's Catholic Primary School, WeymouthWeymouth · Academy Primary45% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 201 students
- 9920Bere Regis Primary and PreschoolWareham · Academy Primary45% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 119 students
- 10020Dorset Studio SchoolDorchester · Academy Secondary34.1 Attainment 8 · 332 students
| # | School | Sector | Success Index (England) | Key result | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St James Church of England First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 95.9 Top 5% | – | 134 |
| 2 | St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester Dorchester · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 93.2 Top 5% | – | 177 |
| 3 | St James' Church of England First School and Nursery, Alderholt Fordingbridge · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 91.9 Top 5% | – | 125 |
| 4 | St Ives Primary & Nursery School Ringwood · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 91.2 Top 5% | 90% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 245 |
| 5 | Hayeswood First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 89.2 Top 10% | – | 148 |
| 6 | Sixpenny Handley First School and Nursery Salisbury · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 88.3 Top 10% | – | 73 |
| 7 | Trent Young's CofE Primary School Sherborne · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 87.2 Top 10% | 95% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 143 |
| 8 | Henbury View First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 84.9 Top 10% | – | 148 |
| 9 | Lockyer's Middle School Wimborne · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Academy | 84.5 Top 25% | 76% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 436 |
| 10 | Pamphill Church of England First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 84.3 Top 25% | – | 67 |
| 11 | Puddletown Church of England First School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 84.3 Top 25% | – | 134 |
| 12 | Colehill First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 82.8 Top 25% | – | 148 |
| 13 | St Mary's Church of England First School, Charminster Dorchester · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 82.8 Top 25% | – | 148 |
| 14 | Wimborne St Giles Church of England First School and Nursery Wimborne · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 82.1 Top 25% | – | 70 |
| 15 | Spetisbury CofE Primary School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 80.3 Top 25% | 77% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 187 |
| 16 | Parley First School Ferndown · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 76.4 Top 25% | – | 313 |
| 17 | Hampreston Church of England Voluntary Aided First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 75.0 Top 25% | – | 134 |
| 18 | Verwood Church of England First School Verwood · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 74.1 Top 25% | – | 289 |
| 19 | Trinity Church of England First School Verwood · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 73.2 Top 25% | – | 128 |
| 20 | Wimborne First School and Nursery Wimborne · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 71.8 Top 25% | – | 400 |
| 21 | Burton Bradstock Church of England Voluntary Controlled School Bridport · Primary · Ages 3–11 | Academy | 68.5 Top 50% | 64% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 99 |
| 22 | Lytchett Matravers Primary School Poole · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 68.1 Top 50% | 68% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 484 |
| 23 | The Thomas Hardye School Dorchester · Secondary · Ages 13–18 | Academy | 68.1 Top 50% | 49.8 Attainment 8 | 2,014 |
| 24 | Allenbourn Middle School Wimborne · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Academy | 67.5 Top 50% | 68% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 499 |
| 25 | Motcombe CofE Primary School Shaftesbury · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 66.3 Top 50% | 68% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 146 |
| 26 | St George's Church of England Primary School, Langton Matravers Swanage · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 66.0 Top 50% | 67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 85 |
| 27 | St Michael's Church of England Middle School, Colehill Wimborne · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Academy | 65.1 Top 50% | 65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 563 |
| 28 | Durweston Church of England Primary School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 3–11 | Academy | 64.7 Top 50% | 80% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 144 |
| 29 | Emmanuel Church of England Middle School Verwood · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Academy | 64.5 Top 50% | 65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 434 |
| 30 | Hillside Community First School Verwood · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 63.4 Top 50% | – | 221 |
| 31 | Stoborough Church of England Primary School Wareham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 61.8 Top 50% | 56% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 195 |
| 32 | St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery Ferndown · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 61.1 Top 50% | – | 148 |
| 33 | Cranborne Church of England First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 60.8 Top 50% | – | 73 |
| 34 | Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 60.5 Top 50% | 71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 110 |
| 35 | Bovington Academy Wareham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 59.8 Top 50% | 71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 180 |
| 36 | The Gryphon School Sherborne · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Academy | 59.0 Top 50% | 46.7 Attainment 8 | 1,569 |
| 37 | St Nicholas and St Laurence Church of England Primary School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 58.9 Top 50% | 67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 213 |
| 38 | Wyke Primary School Gillingham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 58.8 Top 50% | 71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 161 |
| 39 | Shillingstone Church of England Primary School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 58.7 Top 50% | 67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 103 |
| 40 | St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown Dorchester · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Academy | 58.5 Top 50% | 61% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 441 |
| 41 | Pimperne Church of England VC Primary School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 57.7 Top 50% | 63% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 183 |
| 42 | St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School Gillingham · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 57.5 Top 50% | 59% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 242 |
| 43 | St Andrew's Church of England Primary School Shaftesbury · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 57.4 Top 50% | – | 101 |
| 44 | St Osmund's Church of England Middle School Dorchester · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Academy | 57.4 Top 50% | 58% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 714 |
| 45 | Ferndown First School Ferndown · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 55.4 Top 50% | – | 348 |
| 46 | Three Legged Cross First and Nursery School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 54.0 Top 50% | – | 84 |
| 47 | Damers First School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 53.5 Top 50% | – | 475 |
| 48 | Upton Infant School Poole · Primary · Ages 4–7 | Academy | 53.5 Top 50% | – | 250 |
| 49 | Manor Park Church of England First School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 52.3 Top 50% | – | 396 |
| 50 | Blandford St Mary Church of England Primary School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 50.6 Top 50% | 67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 208 |
| 51 | Archbishop Wake Church of England Primary School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 0–11 | Academy | 50.1 Lower 50% | 64% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 411 |
| 52 | Sturminster Newton High School Sturminster Newton · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Academy | 49.9 Top 50% | 46.1 Attainment 8 | 605 |
| 53 | Oakhurst Community First School Ferndown · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 49.6 Lower 50% | – | 173 |
| 54 | Charmouth Primary School Bridport · Primary · Ages 3–11 | Academy | 48.0 Lower 50% | 67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 71 |
| 55 | Queen Elizabeth's School Wimborne · Secondary · Ages 13–18 | Academy | 47.9 Top 50% | 43.3 Attainment 8 | 1,375 |
| 56 | Beaminster St Mary's Academy Beaminster · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 47.8 Lower 50% | 75% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 140 |
| 57 | Corfe Castle Church of England Primary School Wareham · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 47.6 Lower 50% | 57% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 87 |
| 58 | Frome Valley CofE First School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 47.4 Lower 50% | – | 141 |
| 59 | All Saints Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Sherborne · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 46.3 Lower 50% | – | 130 |
| 60 | St John's Church of England First School, Wimborne Wimborne · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 46.3 Lower 50% | – | 148 |
| 61 | St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Marnhull Sturminster Newton · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 46.3 Lower 50% | 67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 82 |
| 62 | Thornford CofE Primary School Sherborne · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 45.1 Lower 50% | 53% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 104 |
| 63 | Bridport Primary School Bridport · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 42.4 Lower 50% | 50% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 267 |
| 64 | The Purbeck School Wareham · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Academy | 41.4 Lower 50% | 41.9 Attainment 8 | 1,022 |
| 65 | Beechcroft St Paul's CofE Primary School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 41.1 Lower 50% | 61% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 189 |
| 66 | St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage Swanage · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 41.0 Lower 50% | 65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 175 |
| 67 | Wey Valley Academy Weymouth · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Academy | 40.7 Lower 50% | 41.0 Attainment 8 | 994 |
| 68 | Loders CofE Primary Academy Bridport · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 40.1 Lower 50% | 50% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 72 |
| 69 | Dunbury Church of England Academy Winterborne Whitechurch · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 39.5 Lower 50% | 45% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 131 |
| 70 | The Sir John Colfox Academy Bridport · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Academy | 38.8 Lower 50% | 43.0 Attainment 8 | 756 |
| 71 | Budmouth Academy Weymouth Weymouth · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Academy | 38.0 Lower 50% | 42.0 Attainment 8 | 1,466 |
| 72 | Atlantic Academy Portland Portland · All-through · Ages 4–16 | Academy | 36.3 Lower 50% | 34.0 Attainment 8 | 769 |
| 73 | Gillingham Primary School Gillingham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 35.4 Lower 50% | 50% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 233 |
| 74 | Dorchester Middle School Dorchester · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Academy | 34.8 Lower 50% | 49% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 527 |
| 75 | Bridport, St Mary's Church of England Primary School Bridport · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 33.9 Lower 50% | 52% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 194 |
| 76 | St George's Church of England School, Bourton Gillingham · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 33.1 Lower 50% | 53% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 142 |
| 77 | Milton-on-Stour Church of England Primary School Gillingham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 33.0 Lower 50% | 39% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 119 |
| 78 | Sherborne Abbey Church of England Primary School Sherborne · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 32.7 Lower 50% | 48% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 336 |
| 79 | St Andrew's Church of England Primary School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 32.7 Lower 50% | 56% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 225 |
| 80 | Sherborne Primary School Sherborne · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 31.8 Lower 50% | 47% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 304 |
| 81 | Shaftesbury Church of England Primary School Shaftesbury · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 30.9 Lower 50% | 44% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 333 |
| 82 | Shaftesbury School Shaftesbury · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Academy | 28.8 Lower 50% | 39.1 Attainment 8 | 782 |
| 83 | Swanage Primary School Swanage · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 28.4 Lower 50% | 47% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 222 |
| 84 | St John's Church of England Primary School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 27.8 Lower 50% | 43% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 224 |
| 85 | Chickerell Primary Academy Weymouth · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 27.4 Lower 50% | 52% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 420 |
| 86 | Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary School Swanage · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 27.3 Lower 50% | 43% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 89 |
| 87 | Lulworth and Winfrith CofE Primary School Wareham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 26.9 Lower 50% | 38% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 95 |
| 88 | St Andrew's Church of England Primary School Sherborne · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 26.8 Lower 50% | 31% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 99 |
| 89 | St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford Abbas Sherborne · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 25.9 Lower 50% | 44% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 90 |
| 90 | Milldown CofE Academy Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 25.7 Lower 50% | 48% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 200 |
| 91 | All Saints' Church of England Academy Weymouth · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Academy | 24.7 Lower 50% | 35.6 Attainment 8 | 598 |
| 92 | St Mary & St Joseph's Catholic Primary School Wareham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 24.5 Lower 50% | 46% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 81 |
| 93 | Wool Church of England Primary School Wareham · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 24.4 Lower 50% | 46% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 116 |
| 94 | Ferndown Middle School Ferndown · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Academy | 23.8 Lower 50% | 45% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 600 |
| 95 | The Swanage School Swanage · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Academy | 22.8 Lower 50% | 36.9 Attainment 8 | 349 |
| 96 | St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, Child Okeford Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 22.4 Lower 50% | 43% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 125 |
| 97 | Upton Junior School Poole · Primary · Ages 7–11 | Academy | 21.8 Lower 50% | 47% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 351 |
| 98 | St Augustine's Catholic Primary School, Weymouth Weymouth · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 20.1 Lower 50% | 45% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 201 |
| 99 | Bere Regis Primary and Preschool Wareham · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 19.9 Lower 50% | 45% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 119 |
| 100 | Dorset Studio School Dorchester · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Academy | 19.6 Lower 50% | 34.1 Attainment 8 | 332 |
St James Church of England First School in Wimborne leads the 2025 list of academies & free schools in Dorset with a Success Index (England) of 95.9. Of the 100 schools shown, 100 are academy.
For the full picture see the wider South West academies & free schools league table, every school on the Dorset page, or the comparison tool to put a shortlist side by side.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best academies school in Dorset?
St James Church of England First School in Wimborne, South West ranks first among academies & free schools in Dorset with a Success Index (England) of 95.9 out of 100 (Pupils on roll: 134).
How are academies & free schools in Dorset ranked?
Each school's Success Index (England) combines 9 factors: ks2: reading, writing & maths expected standard (35%), ks2: higher standard (20%), ks2: reading progress (10%), ks2: maths progress (10%), progress 8 (20%), attainment 8 (30%), grade 5+ in english & maths (15%), a level points per entry (10%), community advantage (fewer pupils on free school meals) (15%). Each factor is a percentile against schools of the same type across England. Schools with fewer than 60 students are excluded from rankings.
Are these 2025 rankings official?
No. They are computed by Success Tutoring from official English data (DfE – Get Information About Schools; DfE – Compare school and college performance). Independent schools rarely appear in the performance tables, so most receive no attainment components and no score.