Dorset Studio School vs St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown
A head-to-head comparison of two secondary schools in South West, England, 4.9 km apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Dorset Studio School
Dorchester · Academy secondary · Ages 11–16
332 students
St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown
Dorchester · Academy secondary · Ages 9–13
441 students
| Measure | Dorset Studio School Dorchester, South West | St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown Dorchester, South West |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 20 Lower 50% | 59 Top 50% |
| Region rank | #363 of 402 | #144 of 402 |
| National rank | #3575 of 4,090 | #1561 of 4,090 |
| Sector | Academy | Academy |
| Type | Secondary | Secondary |
| Year range | Ages 11–16 | Ages 9–13 |
| Students | 332 | 441 |
| Pupils on roll | 332 | 441 |
| Free school meals | 31.6% | 20.9% |
| Capacity filled | 88.5% | 91.9% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | – | 61% |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | – | 11% |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | 34.1 | – |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | 14.5% | – |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | 40.6% | – |
| EBacc average points | 2.75 | – |
| A level points per entry | – | – |
| town | Dorchester | Dorchester |
| region | South West | South West |
| Website | dorsetstudioschool.co.uk/ | www.stmarys.wessex.ac |
The verdict
- •St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown scores higher on the Success Index (England) (58.5 vs 19.6).
- •St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown is the larger school with 441 students compared with 332.
The Success Index (England) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Dorset Studio School better than St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown?
On the Success Index (England), St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown ranks higher (58.5 vs 19.6 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Dorset Studio School and St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown?
About 4.9 km in a straight line, between Dorchester and Dorchester in South West.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Dorset Studio School: 332. St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown: 441. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Dorset Studio School and St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown rank in South West?
Dorset Studio School is 363rd of 402 and St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown is 144th of 402 among secondary schools in South West on the 2025 Success Index (England).