Largest Schools in Dorset (2025)
Schools with the most pupils on roll. 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.
- 168The Thomas Hardye SchoolDorchester · Academy SecondaryPupils: 2,014
- 262Lytchett Minster SchoolPoole · Local authority SecondaryPupils: 1,624
- 359The Gryphon SchoolSherborne · Academy SecondaryPupils: 1,569
- 438Budmouth Academy WeymouthWeymouth · Academy SecondaryPupils: 1,466
- 548Queen Elizabeth's SchoolWimborne · Academy SecondaryPupils: 1,375
- 657Ferndown Upper SchoolFerndown · Local authority SecondaryPupils: 1,134
- 763The Blandford SchoolBlandford Forum · Local authority SecondaryPupils: 1,103
- 841The Purbeck SchoolWareham · Academy SecondaryPupils: 1,022
- 941Wey Valley AcademyWeymouth · Academy SecondaryPupils: 994
- 1072The Woodroffe SchoolLyme Regis · Local authority SecondaryPupils: 886
- 1129Shaftesbury SchoolShaftesbury · Academy SecondaryPupils: 782
- 1217Bryanston SchoolBlandford Forum · Independent All-throughPupils: 776
- 1336Atlantic Academy PortlandPortland · Academy All-throughPupils: 769
- 1439The Sir John Colfox AcademyBridport · Academy SecondaryPupils: 756
- 1557St Osmund's Church of England Middle SchoolDorchester · Academy SecondaryPupils: 714
- 1652Beaminster SchoolBeaminster · Local authority SecondaryPupils: 673
- 1750Sturminster Newton High SchoolSturminster Newton · Academy SecondaryPupils: 605
- 1824Ferndown Middle SchoolFerndown · Academy SecondaryPupils: 600
- 1925All Saints' Church of England AcademyWeymouth · Academy SecondaryPupils: 598
- 2031Leweston SchoolSherborne · Independent All-throughPupils: 577
- 2165St Michael's Church of England Middle School, ColehillWimborne · Academy SecondaryPupils: 563
- 2220Sherborne SchoolSherborne · Independent SecondaryPupils: 538
- 2335Dorchester Middle SchoolDorchester · Academy SecondaryPupils: 527
- 2468Allenbourn Middle SchoolWimborne · Academy SecondaryPupils: 499
- 2568Lytchett Matravers Primary SchoolPoole · Academy PrimaryPupils: 484
- 2654Damers First SchoolDorchester · Academy PrimaryPupils: 475
- 2748Holy Trinity Church of England VC Primary School & Community NurseryWeymouth · Local authority PrimaryPupils: 471
- 2823Sherborne School for GirlsSherborne · Independent SecondaryPupils: 456
- 2959St Mary's Church of England Middle School, PuddletownDorchester · Academy SecondaryPupils: 441
- 3048Radipole Primary SchoolWeymouth · Local authority PrimaryPupils: 437
- 3185Lockyer's Middle SchoolWimborne · Academy SecondaryPupils: 436
- 3265Emmanuel Church of England Middle SchoolVerwood · Academy SecondaryPupils: 434
- 3327Chickerell Primary AcademyWeymouth · Academy PrimaryPupils: 420
- 3416Clayesmore SchoolBlandford Forum · Independent All-throughPupils: 414
- 3550Archbishop Wake Church of England Primary SchoolBlandford Forum · Academy PrimaryPupils: 411
- 3625St George's Foundation Primary SchoolPortland · Local authority PrimaryPupils: 406
- 3772Wimborne First School and NurseryWimborne · Academy PrimaryPupils: 400
- 3852Manor Park Church of England First SchoolDorchester · Academy PrimaryPupils: 396
- 3922Upton Junior SchoolPoole · Academy PrimaryPupils: 351
- 4023The Swanage SchoolSwanage · Academy SecondaryPupils: 349
- 4155Ferndown First SchoolFerndown · Academy PrimaryPupils: 348
- 4238Sandford St Martin's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolWareham · Local authority PrimaryPupils: 342
- 4343Wyke Regis Church of England Junior SchoolWeymouth · Local authority PrimaryPupils: 340
- 4433Sherborne Abbey Church of England Primary SchoolSherborne · Academy PrimaryPupils: 336
- 4531Shaftesbury Church of England Primary SchoolShaftesbury · Academy PrimaryPupils: 333
- 4620Dorset Studio SchoolDorchester · Academy SecondaryPupils: 332
- 4747Conifers Primary SchoolWeymouth · Local authority PrimaryPupils: 324
- 4889Rushcombe First SchoolWimborne · Local authority PrimaryPupils: 313
- 4976Parley First SchoolFerndown · Academy PrimaryPupils: 313
- 5032Sherborne Primary SchoolSherborne · Academy PrimaryPupils: 304
- 5132Bincombe Valley Primary SchoolWeymouth · Local authority PrimaryPupils: 291
- 5274Verwood Church of England First SchoolVerwood · Academy PrimaryPupils: 289
- 5342Bridport Primary SchoolBridport · Academy PrimaryPupils: 267
- 5461Cranborne Middle SchoolWimborne · Local authority SecondaryPupils: 265
- 5554Upton Infant SchoolPoole · Academy PrimaryPupils: 250
- 563Ringwood Waldorf SchoolRingwood · Independent All-throughPupils: 248
- 5791St Ives Primary & Nursery SchoolRingwood · Academy PrimaryPupils: 245
- 5858St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary SchoolGillingham · Academy PrimaryPupils: 242
- 5941West Moors Middle SchoolFerndown · Local authority SecondaryPupils: 240
- 6035Gillingham Primary SchoolGillingham · Academy PrimaryPupils: 233
- 6133St Andrew's Church of England Primary SchoolWeymouth · Academy PrimaryPupils: 225
- 6228St John's Church of England Primary SchoolWeymouth · Academy PrimaryPupils: 224
- 6328Swanage Primary SchoolSwanage · Academy PrimaryPupils: 222
- 6463Hillside Community First SchoolVerwood · Academy PrimaryPupils: 221
- 6545Wyke Regis Infant School and NurseryWeymouth · Local authority PrimaryPupils: 220
- 6659St Nicholas and St Laurence Church of England Primary SchoolWeymouth · Academy PrimaryPupils: 213
- 6727Southill Primary SchoolWeymouth · Local authority PrimaryPupils: 212
- 6851Blandford St Mary Church of England Primary SchoolBlandford Forum · Academy PrimaryPupils: 208
- 6946The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, ShaftesburyShaftesbury · Local authority PrimaryPupils: 201
- 7035Downlands Community SchoolBlandford Forum · Local authority PrimaryPupils: 201
- 7120St Augustine's Catholic Primary School, WeymouthWeymouth · Academy PrimaryPupils: 201
- 7226Milldown CofE AcademyBlandford Forum · Academy PrimaryPupils: 200
- 7362Stoborough Church of England Primary SchoolWareham · Academy PrimaryPupils: 195
- 7434Bridport, St Mary's Church of England Primary SchoolBridport · Academy PrimaryPupils: 194
- 756Milton Abbey SchoolBlandford Forum · Independent SecondaryPupils: 190
- 7641Beechcroft St Paul's CofE Primary SchoolWeymouth · Academy PrimaryPupils: 189
- 7754Stalbridge Church of England Primary SchoolStalbridge · Local authority PrimaryPupils: 188
- 7880Spetisbury CofE Primary SchoolBlandford Forum · Academy PrimaryPupils: 187
- 7958Pimperne Church of England VC Primary SchoolBlandford Forum · Academy PrimaryPupils: 183
- 8060Bovington AcademyWareham · Academy PrimaryPupils: 180
- 8193St Mary's Catholic First School, DorchesterDorchester · Academy PrimaryPupils: 177
- 8241St Mary's Catholic Primary School, SwanageSwanage · Academy PrimaryPupils: 175
- 8350Oakhurst Community First SchoolFerndown · Academy PrimaryPupils: 173
- 8418Wareham St Mary Church of England Primary SchoolWareham · Academy PrimaryPupils: 165
- 8541William Barnes Primary SchoolSturminster Newton · Local authority PrimaryPupils: 162
- 8659Wyke Primary SchoolGillingham · Academy PrimaryPupils: 161
- 8780The Prince of Wales SchoolDorchester · Local authority PrimaryPupils: 156
- 8889Hayeswood First SchoolWimborne · Academy PrimaryPupils: 148
- 8985Henbury View First SchoolWimborne · Academy PrimaryPupils: 148
- 9083Colehill First SchoolWimborne · Academy PrimaryPupils: 148
- 9183St Mary's Church of England First School, CharminsterDorchester · Academy PrimaryPupils: 148
- 9261St Mary's CofE First School & NurseryFerndown · Academy PrimaryPupils: 148
- 9346St John's Church of England First School, WimborneWimborne · Academy PrimaryPupils: 148
- 9466Motcombe CofE Primary SchoolShaftesbury · Academy PrimaryPupils: 146
- 9565Durweston Church of England Primary SchoolBlandford Forum · Academy PrimaryPupils: 144
- 9687Trent Young's CofE Primary SchoolSherborne · Academy PrimaryPupils: 143
- 9733St George's Church of England School, BourtonGillingham · Academy PrimaryPupils: 142
- 9847Frome Valley CofE First SchoolDorchester · Academy PrimaryPupils: 141
- 9948Beaminster St Mary's AcademyBeaminster · Academy PrimaryPupils: 140
- 10092Broadmayne First School and NurseryDorchester · Local authority PrimaryPupils: 139
| # | School | Sector | Pupils | Success Index (England) | Key result | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Thomas Hardye School Dorchester · Secondary · Ages 13–18 | Academy | 2,014 | 68.1 Top 50% | 49.8 Attainment 8 | 2,014 |
| 2 | Lytchett Minster School Poole · Secondary · Ages 11–19 | Local authority | 1,624 | 62.4 Top 50% | 46.8 Attainment 8 | 1,624 |
| 3 | The Gryphon School Sherborne · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Academy | 1,569 | 59.0 Top 50% | 46.7 Attainment 8 | 1,569 |
| 4 | Budmouth Academy Weymouth Weymouth · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Academy | 1,466 | 38.0 Lower 50% | 42.0 Attainment 8 | 1,466 |
| 5 | Queen Elizabeth's School Wimborne · Secondary · Ages 13–18 | Academy | 1,375 | 47.9 Top 50% | 43.3 Attainment 8 | 1,375 |
| 6 | Ferndown Upper School Ferndown · Secondary · Ages 13–19 | Local authority | 1,134 | 56.5 Top 50% | 45.7 Attainment 8 | 1,134 |
| 7 | The Blandford School Blandford Forum · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Local authority | 1,103 | 62.6 Top 50% | 47.0 Attainment 8 | 1,103 |
| 8 | The Purbeck School Wareham · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Academy | 1,022 | 41.4 Lower 50% | 41.9 Attainment 8 | 1,022 |
| 9 | Wey Valley Academy Weymouth · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Academy | 994 | 40.7 Lower 50% | 41.0 Attainment 8 | 994 |
| 10 | The Woodroffe School Lyme Regis · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Local authority | 886 | 72.1 Top 25% | 51.4 Attainment 8 | 886 |
| 11 | Shaftesbury School Shaftesbury · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Academy | 782 | 28.8 Lower 50% | 39.1 Attainment 8 | 782 |
| 12 | Bryanston School Blandford Forum · All-through · Ages 3–18 | Independent | 776 | 16.6 Lower 50% | 9.3 Attainment 8 | 776 |
| 13 | Atlantic Academy Portland Portland · All-through · Ages 4–16 | Academy | 769 | 36.3 Lower 50% | 34.0 Attainment 8 | 769 |
| 14 | The Sir John Colfox Academy Bridport · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Academy | 756 | 38.8 Lower 50% | 43.0 Attainment 8 | 756 |
| 15 | St Osmund's Church of England Middle School Dorchester · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Academy | 714 | 57.4 Top 50% | 58% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 714 |
| 16 | Beaminster School Beaminster · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Local authority | 673 | 52.1 Top 50% | 47.0 Attainment 8 | 673 |
| 17 | Sturminster Newton High School Sturminster Newton · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Academy | 605 | 49.9 Top 50% | 46.1 Attainment 8 | 605 |
| 18 | Ferndown Middle School Ferndown · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Academy | 600 | 23.8 Lower 50% | 45% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 600 |
| 19 | All Saints' Church of England Academy Weymouth · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Academy | 598 | 24.7 Lower 50% | 35.6 Attainment 8 | 598 |
| 20 | Leweston School Sherborne · All-through · Ages 2–19 | Independent | 577 | 30.5 Lower 50% | 40.8 Attainment 8 | 577 |
| 21 | St Michael's Church of England Middle School, Colehill Wimborne · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Academy | 563 | 65.1 Top 50% | 65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 563 |
| 22 | Sherborne School Sherborne · Secondary · Ages 13–19 | Independent | 538 | 19.5 Lower 50% | 28.5 Attainment 8 | 538 |
| 23 | Dorchester Middle School Dorchester · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Academy | 527 | 34.8 Lower 50% | 49% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 527 |
| 24 | Allenbourn Middle School Wimborne · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Academy | 499 | 67.5 Top 50% | 68% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 499 |
| 25 | Lytchett Matravers Primary School Poole · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 484 | 68.1 Top 50% | 68% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 484 |
| 26 | Damers First School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 475 | 53.5 Top 50% | – | 475 |
| 27 | Holy Trinity Church of England VC Primary School & Community Nursery Weymouth · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Local authority | 471 | 47.9 Lower 50% | 72% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 471 |
| 28 | Sherborne School for Girls Sherborne · Secondary · Ages 11–19 | Independent | 456 | 23.0 Lower 50% | 34.3 Attainment 8 | 456 |
| 29 | St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown Dorchester · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Academy | 441 | 58.5 Top 50% | 61% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 441 |
| 30 | Radipole Primary School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 437 | 47.6 Lower 50% | 60% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 437 |
| 31 | Lockyer's Middle School Wimborne · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Academy | 436 | 84.5 Top 25% | 76% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 436 |
| 32 | Emmanuel Church of England Middle School Verwood · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Academy | 434 | 64.5 Top 50% | 65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 434 |
| 33 | Chickerell Primary Academy Weymouth · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 420 | 27.4 Lower 50% | 52% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 420 |
| 34 | Clayesmore School Blandford Forum · All-through · Ages 2–19 | Independent | 414 | 15.9 Lower 50% | 28.5 Attainment 8 | 414 |
| 35 | Archbishop Wake Church of England Primary School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 0–11 | Academy | 411 | 50.1 Lower 50% | 64% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 411 |
| 36 | St George's Foundation Primary School Portland · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 406 | 24.6 Lower 50% | 46% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 406 |
| 37 | Wimborne First School and Nursery Wimborne · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 400 | 71.8 Top 25% | – | 400 |
| 38 | Manor Park Church of England First School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 396 | 52.3 Top 50% | – | 396 |
| 39 | Upton Junior School Poole · Primary · Ages 7–11 | Academy | 351 | 21.8 Lower 50% | 47% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 351 |
| 40 | The Swanage School Swanage · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Academy | 349 | 22.8 Lower 50% | 36.9 Attainment 8 | 349 |
| 41 | Ferndown First School Ferndown · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 348 | 55.4 Top 50% | – | 348 |
| 42 | Sandford St Martin's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Wareham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 342 | 38.0 Lower 50% | 54% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 342 |
| 43 | Wyke Regis Church of England Junior School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 7–11 | Local authority | 340 | 43.4 Lower 50% | 65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 340 |
| 44 | Sherborne Abbey Church of England Primary School Sherborne · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 336 | 32.7 Lower 50% | 48% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 336 |
| 45 | Shaftesbury Church of England Primary School Shaftesbury · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 333 | 30.9 Lower 50% | 44% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 333 |
| 46 | Dorset Studio School Dorchester · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Academy | 332 | 19.6 Lower 50% | 34.1 Attainment 8 | 332 |
| 47 | Conifers Primary School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 324 | 46.6 Lower 50% | 69% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 324 |
| 48 | Rushcombe First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Local authority | 313 | 89.4 Top 10% | – | 313 |
| 49 | Parley First School Ferndown · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 313 | 76.4 Top 25% | – | 313 |
| 50 | Sherborne Primary School Sherborne · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 304 | 31.8 Lower 50% | 47% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 304 |
| 51 | Bincombe Valley Primary School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Local authority | 291 | 31.6 Lower 50% | 53% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 291 |
| 52 | Verwood Church of England First School Verwood · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 289 | 74.1 Top 25% | – | 289 |
| 53 | Bridport Primary School Bridport · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 267 | 42.4 Lower 50% | 50% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 267 |
| 54 | Cranborne Middle School Wimborne · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Local authority | 265 | 61.3 Top 50% | 65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 265 |
| 55 | Upton Infant School Poole · Primary · Ages 4–7 | Academy | 250 | 53.5 Top 50% | – | 250 |
| 56 | Ringwood Waldorf School Ringwood · All-through · Ages 2–19 | Independent | 248 | 2.8 Lower 50% | 6.6 Attainment 8 | 248 |
| 57 | St Ives Primary & Nursery School Ringwood · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 245 | 91.2 Top 5% | 90% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 245 |
| 58 | St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School Gillingham · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 242 | 57.5 Top 50% | 59% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 242 |
| 59 | West Moors Middle School Ferndown · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Local authority | 240 | 40.8 Lower 50% | 49% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 240 |
| 60 | Gillingham Primary School Gillingham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 233 | 35.4 Lower 50% | 50% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 233 |
| 61 | St Andrew's Church of England Primary School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 225 | 32.7 Lower 50% | 56% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 225 |
| 62 | St John's Church of England Primary School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 224 | 27.8 Lower 50% | 43% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 224 |
| 63 | Swanage Primary School Swanage · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 222 | 28.4 Lower 50% | 47% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 222 |
| 64 | Hillside Community First School Verwood · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 221 | 63.4 Top 50% | – | 221 |
| 65 | Wyke Regis Infant School and Nursery Weymouth · Primary · Ages 3–7 | Local authority | 220 | 44.5 Lower 50% | – | 220 |
| 66 | St Nicholas and St Laurence Church of England Primary School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 213 | 58.9 Top 50% | 67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 213 |
| 67 | Southill Primary School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 212 | 27.4 Lower 50% | 42% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 212 |
| 68 | Blandford St Mary Church of England Primary School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 208 | 50.6 Top 50% | 67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 208 |
| 69 | The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury Shaftesbury · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 201 | 45.8 Lower 50% | 62% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 201 |
| 70 | Downlands Community School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 3–11 | Local authority | 201 | 35.1 Lower 50% | 42% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 201 |
| 71 | St Augustine's Catholic Primary School, Weymouth Weymouth · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 201 | 20.1 Lower 50% | 45% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 201 |
| 72 | Milldown CofE Academy Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 200 | 25.7 Lower 50% | 48% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 200 |
| 73 | Stoborough Church of England Primary School Wareham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 195 | 61.8 Top 50% | 56% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 195 |
| 74 | Bridport, St Mary's Church of England Primary School Bridport · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 194 | 33.9 Lower 50% | 52% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 194 |
| 75 | Milton Abbey School Blandford Forum · Secondary · Ages 13–19 | Independent | 190 | 5.7 Lower 50% | 21.9 Attainment 8 | 190 |
| 76 | Beechcroft St Paul's CofE Primary School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 189 | 41.1 Lower 50% | 61% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 189 |
| 77 | Stalbridge Church of England Primary School Stalbridge · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 188 | 54.4 Top 50% | 65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 188 |
| 78 | Spetisbury CofE Primary School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 187 | 80.3 Top 25% | 77% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 187 |
| 79 | Pimperne Church of England VC Primary School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 183 | 57.7 Top 50% | 63% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 183 |
| 80 | Bovington Academy Wareham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 180 | 59.8 Top 50% | 71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 180 |
| 81 | St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester Dorchester · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 177 | 93.2 Top 5% | – | 177 |
| 82 | St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage Swanage · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 175 | 41.0 Lower 50% | 65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 175 |
| 83 | Oakhurst Community First School Ferndown · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 173 | 49.6 Lower 50% | – | 173 |
| 84 | Wareham St Mary Church of England Primary School Wareham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 165 | 17.7 Lower 50% | 50% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 165 |
| 85 | William Barnes Primary School Sturminster Newton · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 162 | 40.9 Lower 50% | 55% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 162 |
| 86 | Wyke Primary School Gillingham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 161 | 58.8 Top 50% | 71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 161 |
| 87 | The Prince of Wales School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Local authority | 156 | 80.1 Top 25% | – | 156 |
| 88 | Hayeswood First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 148 | 89.2 Top 10% | – | 148 |
| 89 | Henbury View First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 148 | 84.9 Top 10% | – | 148 |
| 90 | Colehill First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 148 | 82.8 Top 25% | – | 148 |
| 91 | St Mary's Church of England First School, Charminster Dorchester · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 148 | 82.8 Top 25% | – | 148 |
| 92 | St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery Ferndown · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 148 | 61.1 Top 50% | – | 148 |
| 93 | St John's Church of England First School, Wimborne Wimborne · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 148 | 46.3 Lower 50% | – | 148 |
| 94 | Motcombe CofE Primary School Shaftesbury · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 146 | 66.3 Top 50% | 68% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 146 |
| 95 | Durweston Church of England Primary School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 3–11 | Academy | 144 | 64.7 Top 50% | 80% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 144 |
| 96 | Trent Young's CofE Primary School Sherborne · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 143 | 87.2 Top 10% | 95% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 143 |
| 97 | St George's Church of England School, Bourton Gillingham · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 142 | 33.1 Lower 50% | 53% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 142 |
| 98 | Frome Valley CofE First School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 141 | 47.4 Lower 50% | – | 141 |
| 99 | Beaminster St Mary's Academy Beaminster · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 140 | 47.8 Lower 50% | 75% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 140 |
| 100 | Broadmayne First School and Nursery Dorchester · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Local authority | 139 | 91.7 Top 5% | – | 139 |
The Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester leads the 2025 list of largest schools in Dorset with Pupils 2,014. Of the 100 schools shown, 70 are academy, 23 are local authority, 7 are independent.
For the full picture see the wider South West largest 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 largest school in Dorset?
The Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester, South West ranks first among largest schools in Dorset with Pupils 2,014 (Pupils on roll: 2,014).
How are largest schools in Dorset ranked?
Schools with the most pupils on roll. Only schools eligible for the Success Index (England) are included; the index is shown alongside for context.
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.