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Schools in Dorchester

Dorchester has 21 schools: 19 primary and 2 secondary or all-through. 70% of the 20 schools with an Ofsted grade are rated Good or better (Strong standard or better under the new report cards). Among secondary schools, The Thomas Hardye School has the highest Attainment 8 score (47.8 in 2026). Among primary schools, Thorner's Church of England School, Litton Cheney has the highest share of pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (73% in 2025).

  • 22 schools
  • 2 secondary
  • 19 primary

Dorchester is in Dorset local authority. See its school places, applications and offers.

Secondary Schools in Dorchester

Ranked by Attainment 8, the average GCSE score per pupil. Progress 8 is from the latest year published.

#SchoolOfstedAttainment 8Progress 8Pupils
1 The Thomas Hardye School Good 47.8 (2026) +0.30 (2024) 2,014
2 Dorset Studio School Good 32.0 (2026) -0.50 (2024) 332

Primary Schools in Dorchester

Ranked by the percentage of pupils meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at the end of Year 6.

#SchoolOfstedMet expected standardPupils
1 Thorner's Church of England School, Litton Cheney Good 73% (2025) 115
2 Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School Expected standard 71% (2025) 110
3 Maiden Newton, Greenford Church of England Primary School Good 63% (2025) 137
4 St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown Good 61% (2025) 441
5 St Osmund's Church of England Middle School Expected standard 58% (2025) 714
6 Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Good 53% (2025) 70
7 Dorchester Middle School Needs attention 49% (2025) 527
8 Broadmayne First School and Nursery Good – 139
9 Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School Good – 77
10 Cheselbourne Village School Good – 49
11 Damers First School Good – 475
12 Frome Valley CofE First School Requires Improvement – 141
13 Manor Park Church of England First School Expected standard – 396
14 Piddle Valley Church of England First School Good – 40
15 Puddletown Church of England First School Good – 134
16 St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester – – 177
17 St Mary's Church of England First School, Charminster Good – 148
18 The Prince of Wales School Good – 156
19 Winterbourne Valley Church of England Aided First School Needs attention – 60

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