Dorset state schools league table 2025
Academies, free schools and local-authority maintained schools. 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
- 294Cerne Abbas CofE VC First SchoolDorchester · Local authority Primary– · 77 students
- 393St Mary's Catholic First School, DorchesterDorchester · Academy Primary– · 177 students
- 492St James' Church of England First School and Nursery, AlderholtFordingbridge · Academy Primary– · 125 students
- 592Broadmayne First School and NurseryDorchester · Local authority Primary– · 139 students
- 691St Ives Primary & Nursery SchoolRingwood · Academy Primary90% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 245 students
- 789Rushcombe First SchoolWimborne · Local authority Primary– · 313 students
- 889Hayeswood First SchoolWimborne · Academy Primary– · 148 students
- 988Sixpenny Handley First School and NurserySalisbury · Academy Primary– · 73 students
- 1087Trent Young's CofE Primary SchoolSherborne · Academy Primary95% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 143 students
- 1185Henbury View First SchoolWimborne · Academy Primary– · 148 students
- 1285Lockyer's Middle SchoolWimborne · Academy Secondary76% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 436 students
- 1384Pamphill Church of England First SchoolWimborne · Academy Primary– · 67 students
- 1484Puddletown Church of England First SchoolDorchester · Academy Primary– · 134 students
- 1583Colehill First SchoolWimborne · Academy Primary– · 148 students
- 1683St Mary's Church of England First School, CharminsterDorchester · Academy Primary– · 148 students
- 1782Wimborne St Giles Church of England First School and NurseryWimborne · Academy Primary– · 70 students
- 1880Spetisbury CofE Primary SchoolBlandford Forum · Academy Primary77% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 187 students
- 1980The Prince of Wales SchoolDorchester · Local authority Primary– · 156 students
- 2076Parley First SchoolFerndown · Academy Primary– · 313 students
- 2175Hampreston Church of England Voluntary Aided First SchoolWimborne · Academy Primary– · 134 students
- 2274Verwood Church of England First SchoolVerwood · Academy Primary– · 289 students
- 2373Trinity Church of England First SchoolVerwood · Academy Primary– · 128 students
- 2472The Woodroffe SchoolLyme Regis · Local authority Secondary51.4 Attainment 8 · 886 students
- 2572Wimborne First School and NurseryWimborne · Academy Primary– · 400 students
- 2671Winterbourne Valley Church of England Aided First SchoolDorchester · Local authority Primary– · 60 students
- 2769Burton Bradstock Church of England Voluntary Controlled SchoolBridport · Academy Primary64% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 99 students
- 2868Lytchett Matravers Primary SchoolPoole · Academy Primary68% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 484 students
- 2968The Thomas Hardye SchoolDorchester · Academy Secondary49.8 Attainment 8 · 2,014 students
- 3068Parrett and Axe Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolBeaminster · Local authority Primary71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 132 students
- 3168Symondsbury Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolBridport · Local authority Primary67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 107 students
- 3268Allenbourn Middle SchoolWimborne · Academy Secondary68% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 499 students
- 3367Thorner's Church of England School, Litton CheneyDorchester · Local authority Primary73% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 115 students
- 3466Motcombe CofE Primary SchoolShaftesbury · Academy Primary68% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 146 students
- 3566St George's Church of England Primary School, Langton MatraversSwanage · Academy Primary67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 85 students
- 3665St Michael's Church of England Middle School, ColehillWimborne · Academy Secondary65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 563 students
- 3765Durweston Church of England Primary SchoolBlandford Forum · Academy Primary80% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 144 students
- 3865Emmanuel Church of England Middle SchoolVerwood · Academy Secondary65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 434 students
- 3963Hillside Community First SchoolVerwood · Academy Primary– · 221 students
- 4063The Blandford SchoolBlandford Forum · Local authority Secondary47.0 Attainment 8 · 1,103 students
- 4162Lytchett Minster SchoolPoole · Local authority Secondary46.8 Attainment 8 · 1,624 students
- 4262Stoborough Church of England Primary SchoolWareham · Academy Primary56% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 195 students
- 4361Cranborne Middle SchoolWimborne · Local authority Secondary65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 265 students
- 4461St Mary's CofE First School & NurseryFerndown · Academy Primary– · 148 students
- 4561Cranborne Church of England First SchoolWimborne · Academy Primary– · 73 students
- 4661Buckland Newton Church of England Primary SchoolDorchester · Academy Primary71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 110 students
- 4760Bovington AcademyWareham · Academy Primary71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 180 students
- 4859The Gryphon SchoolSherborne · Academy Secondary46.7 Attainment 8 · 1,569 students
- 4959St Nicholas and St Laurence Church of England Primary SchoolWeymouth · Academy Primary67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 213 students
- 5059Wyke Primary SchoolGillingham · Academy Primary71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 161 students
- 5159Shillingstone Church of England Primary SchoolBlandford Forum · Academy Primary67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 103 students
- 5259St Mary's Church of England Middle School, PuddletownDorchester · Academy Secondary61% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 441 students
- 5358Pimperne Church of England VC Primary SchoolBlandford Forum · Academy Primary63% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 183 students
- 5458St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary SchoolGillingham · Academy Primary59% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 242 students
- 5557St Andrew's Church of England Primary SchoolShaftesbury · Academy Primary– · 101 students
- 5657St Osmund's Church of England Middle SchoolDorchester · Academy Secondary58% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 714 students
- 5757Ferndown Upper SchoolFerndown · Local authority Secondary45.7 Attainment 8 · 1,134 students
- 5855Ferndown First SchoolFerndown · Academy Primary– · 348 students
- 5955Salway Ash Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolBridport · Local authority Primary60% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 109 students
- 6054Stalbridge Church of England Primary SchoolStalbridge · Local authority Primary65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 188 students
- 6154Three Legged Cross First and Nursery SchoolWimborne · Academy Primary– · 84 students
- 6254Damers First SchoolDorchester · Academy Primary– · 475 students
- 6354Upton Infant SchoolPoole · Academy Primary– · 250 students
- 6452Manor Park Church of England First SchoolDorchester · Academy Primary– · 396 students
- 6552Beaminster SchoolBeaminster · Local authority Secondary47.0 Attainment 8 · 673 students
- 6652Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolDorchester · Local authority Primary53% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 70 students
- 6752Hazelbury Bryan Primary SchoolSturminster Newton · Local authority Primary61% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 114 students
- 6851Blandford St Mary Church of England Primary SchoolBlandford Forum · Academy Primary67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 208 students
- 6950Archbishop Wake Church of England Primary SchoolBlandford Forum · Academy Primary64% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 411 students
- 7050Sturminster Newton High SchoolSturminster Newton · Academy Secondary46.1 Attainment 8 · 605 students
- 7150Oakhurst Community First SchoolFerndown · Academy Primary– · 173 students
- 7248Charmouth Primary SchoolBridport · Academy Primary67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 71 students
- 7348Holy Trinity Church of England VC Primary School & Community NurseryWeymouth · Local authority Primary72% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 471 students
- 7448Queen Elizabeth's SchoolWimborne · Academy Secondary43.3 Attainment 8 · 1,375 students
- 7548Beaminster St Mary's AcademyBeaminster · Academy Primary75% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 140 students
- 7648Corfe Castle Church of England Primary SchoolWareham · Academy Primary57% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 87 students
- 7748Radipole Primary SchoolWeymouth · Local authority Primary60% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 437 students
- 7847Frome Valley CofE First SchoolDorchester · Academy Primary– · 141 students
- 7947Conifers Primary SchoolWeymouth · Local authority Primary69% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 324 students
- 8046All Saints Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolSherborne · Academy Primary– · 130 students
- 8146St John's Church of England First School, WimborneWimborne · Academy Primary– · 148 students
- 8246St Mary's Catholic Primary School, MarnhullSturminster Newton · Academy Primary67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 82 students
- 8346The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, ShaftesburyShaftesbury · Local authority Primary62% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 201 students
- 8445Thornford CofE Primary SchoolSherborne · Academy Primary53% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 104 students
- 8545Wyke Regis Infant School and NurseryWeymouth · Local authority Primary– · 220 students
- 8643Wyke Regis Church of England Junior SchoolWeymouth · Local authority Primary65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 340 students
- 8742Bridport Primary SchoolBridport · Academy Primary50% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 267 students
- 8841The Purbeck SchoolWareham · Academy Secondary41.9 Attainment 8 · 1,022 students
- 8941Beechcroft St Paul's CofE Primary SchoolWeymouth · Academy Primary61% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 189 students
- 9041St Mary's Catholic Primary School, SwanageSwanage · Academy Primary65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 175 students
- 9141William Barnes Primary SchoolSturminster Newton · Local authority Primary55% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 162 students
- 9241West Moors Middle SchoolFerndown · Local authority Secondary49% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 240 students
- 9341Wey Valley AcademyWeymouth · Academy Secondary41.0 Attainment 8 · 994 students
- 9440Loders CofE Primary AcademyBridport · Academy Primary50% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 72 students
- 9540Dunbury Church of England AcademyWinterborne Whitechurch · Academy Primary45% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 131 students
- 9639The Sir John Colfox AcademyBridport · Academy Secondary43.0 Attainment 8 · 756 students
- 9738Budmouth Academy WeymouthWeymouth · Academy Secondary42.0 Attainment 8 · 1,466 students
- 9838Sandford St Martin's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolWareham · Local authority Primary54% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 342 students
- 9938Broadwindsor Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary SchoolBeaminster · Local authority Primary60% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 93 students
- 10037Maiden Newton, Greenford Church of England Primary SchoolDorchester · Local authority Primary63% KS2 expected standard (RWM) · 137 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 | Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 3–9 | Local authority | 93.7 Top 5% | – | 77 |
| 3 | St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester Dorchester · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 93.2 Top 5% | – | 177 |
| 4 | St James' Church of England First School and Nursery, Alderholt Fordingbridge · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 91.9 Top 5% | – | 125 |
| 5 | Broadmayne First School and Nursery Dorchester · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Local authority | 91.7 Top 5% | – | 139 |
| 6 | St Ives Primary & Nursery School Ringwood · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 91.2 Top 5% | 90% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 245 |
| 7 | Rushcombe First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Local authority | 89.4 Top 10% | – | 313 |
| 8 | Hayeswood First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 89.2 Top 10% | – | 148 |
| 9 | Sixpenny Handley First School and Nursery Salisbury · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 88.3 Top 10% | – | 73 |
| 10 | Trent Young's CofE Primary School Sherborne · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 87.2 Top 10% | 95% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 143 |
| 11 | Henbury View First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 84.9 Top 10% | – | 148 |
| 12 | Lockyer's Middle School Wimborne · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Academy | 84.5 Top 25% | 76% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 436 |
| 13 | Pamphill Church of England First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 84.3 Top 25% | – | 67 |
| 14 | Puddletown Church of England First School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 84.3 Top 25% | – | 134 |
| 15 | Colehill First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 82.8 Top 25% | – | 148 |
| 16 | St Mary's Church of England First School, Charminster Dorchester · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 82.8 Top 25% | – | 148 |
| 17 | Wimborne St Giles Church of England First School and Nursery Wimborne · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 82.1 Top 25% | – | 70 |
| 18 | Spetisbury CofE Primary School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 80.3 Top 25% | 77% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 187 |
| 19 | The Prince of Wales School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Local authority | 80.1 Top 25% | – | 156 |
| 20 | Parley First School Ferndown · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 76.4 Top 25% | – | 313 |
| 21 | Hampreston Church of England Voluntary Aided First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 75.0 Top 25% | – | 134 |
| 22 | Verwood Church of England First School Verwood · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 74.1 Top 25% | – | 289 |
| 23 | Trinity Church of England First School Verwood · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 73.2 Top 25% | – | 128 |
| 24 | The Woodroffe School Lyme Regis · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Local authority | 72.1 Top 25% | 51.4 Attainment 8 | 886 |
| 25 | Wimborne First School and Nursery Wimborne · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 71.8 Top 25% | – | 400 |
| 26 | Winterbourne Valley Church of England Aided First School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 3–9 | Local authority | 70.6 Top 25% | – | 60 |
| 27 | Burton Bradstock Church of England Voluntary Controlled School Bridport · Primary · Ages 3–11 | Academy | 68.5 Top 50% | 64% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 99 |
| 28 | Lytchett Matravers Primary School Poole · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 68.1 Top 50% | 68% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 484 |
| 29 | The Thomas Hardye School Dorchester · Secondary · Ages 13–18 | Academy | 68.1 Top 50% | 49.8 Attainment 8 | 2,014 |
| 30 | Parrett and Axe Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Beaminster · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 67.9 Top 50% | 71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 132 |
| 31 | Symondsbury Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Bridport · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 67.9 Top 50% | 67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 107 |
| 32 | Allenbourn Middle School Wimborne · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Academy | 67.5 Top 50% | 68% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 499 |
| 33 | Thorner's Church of England School, Litton Cheney Dorchester · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Local authority | 66.5 Top 50% | 73% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 115 |
| 34 | Motcombe CofE Primary School Shaftesbury · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 66.3 Top 50% | 68% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 146 |
| 35 | 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 |
| 36 | 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 |
| 37 | Durweston Church of England Primary School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 3–11 | Academy | 64.7 Top 50% | 80% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 144 |
| 38 | Emmanuel Church of England Middle School Verwood · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Academy | 64.5 Top 50% | 65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 434 |
| 39 | Hillside Community First School Verwood · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 63.4 Top 50% | – | 221 |
| 40 | The Blandford School Blandford Forum · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Local authority | 62.6 Top 50% | 47.0 Attainment 8 | 1,103 |
| 41 | Lytchett Minster School Poole · Secondary · Ages 11–19 | Local authority | 62.4 Top 50% | 46.8 Attainment 8 | 1,624 |
| 42 | Stoborough Church of England Primary School Wareham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 61.8 Top 50% | 56% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 195 |
| 43 | Cranborne Middle School Wimborne · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Local authority | 61.3 Top 50% | 65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 265 |
| 44 | St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery Ferndown · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 61.1 Top 50% | – | 148 |
| 45 | Cranborne Church of England First School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 60.8 Top 50% | – | 73 |
| 46 | Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 60.5 Top 50% | 71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 110 |
| 47 | Bovington Academy Wareham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 59.8 Top 50% | 71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 180 |
| 48 | The Gryphon School Sherborne · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Academy | 59.0 Top 50% | 46.7 Attainment 8 | 1,569 |
| 49 | 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 |
| 50 | Wyke Primary School Gillingham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 58.8 Top 50% | 71% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 161 |
| 51 | Shillingstone Church of England Primary School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 58.7 Top 50% | 67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 103 |
| 52 | 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 |
| 53 | Pimperne Church of England VC Primary School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 57.7 Top 50% | 63% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 183 |
| 54 | 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 |
| 55 | St Andrew's Church of England Primary School Shaftesbury · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 57.4 Top 50% | – | 101 |
| 56 | St Osmund's Church of England Middle School Dorchester · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Academy | 57.4 Top 50% | 58% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 714 |
| 57 | Ferndown Upper School Ferndown · Secondary · Ages 13–19 | Local authority | 56.5 Top 50% | 45.7 Attainment 8 | 1,134 |
| 58 | Ferndown First School Ferndown · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 55.4 Top 50% | – | 348 |
| 59 | Salway Ash Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Bridport · Primary · Ages 5–11 | Local authority | 54.8 Top 50% | 60% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 109 |
| 60 | Stalbridge Church of England Primary School Stalbridge · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 54.4 Top 50% | 65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 188 |
| 61 | Three Legged Cross First and Nursery School Wimborne · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 54.0 Top 50% | – | 84 |
| 62 | Damers First School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 4–9 | Academy | 53.5 Top 50% | – | 475 |
| 63 | Upton Infant School Poole · Primary · Ages 4–7 | Academy | 53.5 Top 50% | – | 250 |
| 64 | Manor Park Church of England First School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 52.3 Top 50% | – | 396 |
| 65 | Beaminster School Beaminster · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Local authority | 52.1 Top 50% | 47.0 Attainment 8 | 673 |
| 66 | Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 5–11 | Local authority | 52.0 Top 50% | 53% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 70 |
| 67 | Hazelbury Bryan Primary School Sturminster Newton · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Local authority | 51.9 Top 50% | 61% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 114 |
| 68 | 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 |
| 69 | Archbishop Wake Church of England Primary School Blandford Forum · Primary · Ages 0–11 | Academy | 50.1 Lower 50% | 64% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 411 |
| 70 | Sturminster Newton High School Sturminster Newton · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Academy | 49.9 Top 50% | 46.1 Attainment 8 | 605 |
| 71 | Oakhurst Community First School Ferndown · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 49.6 Lower 50% | – | 173 |
| 72 | Charmouth Primary School Bridport · Primary · Ages 3–11 | Academy | 48.0 Lower 50% | 67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 71 |
| 73 | Holy Trinity Church of England VC Primary School & Community Nursery Weymouth · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Local authority | 47.9 Lower 50% | 72% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 471 |
| 74 | Queen Elizabeth's School Wimborne · Secondary · Ages 13–18 | Academy | 47.9 Top 50% | 43.3 Attainment 8 | 1,375 |
| 75 | Beaminster St Mary's Academy Beaminster · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 47.8 Lower 50% | 75% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 140 |
| 76 | Corfe Castle Church of England Primary School Wareham · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 47.6 Lower 50% | 57% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 87 |
| 77 | Radipole Primary School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 47.6 Lower 50% | 60% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 437 |
| 78 | Frome Valley CofE First School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 2–9 | Academy | 47.4 Lower 50% | – | 141 |
| 79 | Conifers Primary School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 46.6 Lower 50% | 69% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 324 |
| 80 | All Saints Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Sherborne · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 46.3 Lower 50% | – | 130 |
| 81 | St John's Church of England First School, Wimborne Wimborne · Primary · Ages 5–9 | Academy | 46.3 Lower 50% | – | 148 |
| 82 | St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Marnhull Sturminster Newton · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 46.3 Lower 50% | 67% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 82 |
| 83 | The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury Shaftesbury · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 45.8 Lower 50% | 62% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 201 |
| 84 | Thornford CofE Primary School Sherborne · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 45.1 Lower 50% | 53% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 104 |
| 85 | Wyke Regis Infant School and Nursery Weymouth · Primary · Ages 3–7 | Local authority | 44.5 Lower 50% | – | 220 |
| 86 | Wyke Regis Church of England Junior School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 7–11 | Local authority | 43.4 Lower 50% | 65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 340 |
| 87 | Bridport Primary School Bridport · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 42.4 Lower 50% | 50% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 267 |
| 88 | The Purbeck School Wareham · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Academy | 41.4 Lower 50% | 41.9 Attainment 8 | 1,022 |
| 89 | Beechcroft St Paul's CofE Primary School Weymouth · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 41.1 Lower 50% | 61% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 189 |
| 90 | St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage Swanage · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Academy | 41.0 Lower 50% | 65% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 175 |
| 91 | William Barnes Primary School Sturminster Newton · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 40.9 Lower 50% | 55% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 162 |
| 92 | West Moors Middle School Ferndown · Secondary · Ages 9–13 | Local authority | 40.8 Lower 50% | 49% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 240 |
| 93 | Wey Valley Academy Weymouth · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Academy | 40.7 Lower 50% | 41.0 Attainment 8 | 994 |
| 94 | Loders CofE Primary Academy Bridport · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 40.1 Lower 50% | 50% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 72 |
| 95 | Dunbury Church of England Academy Winterborne Whitechurch · Primary · Ages 2–11 | Academy | 39.5 Lower 50% | 45% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 131 |
| 96 | The Sir John Colfox Academy Bridport · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Academy | 38.8 Lower 50% | 43.0 Attainment 8 | 756 |
| 97 | Budmouth Academy Weymouth Weymouth · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Academy | 38.0 Lower 50% | 42.0 Attainment 8 | 1,466 |
| 98 | Sandford St Martin's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Wareham · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 38.0 Lower 50% | 54% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 342 |
| 99 | Broadwindsor Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Beaminster · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 37.6 Lower 50% | 60% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 93 |
| 100 | Maiden Newton, Greenford Church of England Primary School Dorchester · Primary · Ages 4–11 | Local authority | 37.1 Lower 50% | 63% KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 137 |
St James Church of England First School in Wimborne leads the 2025 list of state schools in Dorset with a Success Index (England) of 95.9. Of the 100 schools shown, 71 are academy, 29 are local authority.
For the full picture see the wider South West state 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 state school in Dorset?
St James Church of England First School in Wimborne, South West ranks first among state schools in Dorset with a Success Index (England) of 95.9 out of 100 (Pupils on roll: 134).
How are state 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.