Ofsted: Good trending_up Popular emoji_events #10 in Dorset public Top 29% UK

Gillingham School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Paul Nicholson

location_onGillingham, SP8 4QP

language Visit Website phone 1747822222

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

1,755

trending_up

Attainment 8

42.7

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GCSE Rank

#11 in Dorset

#2,136 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Gillingham School is a Voluntary controlled school secondary school in Gillingham, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted. Demand is above capacity (1.0×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

Gillingham School is a voluntary controlled school in Gillingham, Dorset, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. The school has approximately 1,670 pupils on roll, of whom 20% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 42.7, placing the school #11 in Dorset and #2,136 of 3,216 nationally. 42.40% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 10.8% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 28 A-level subjects. 41.3% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 15.3% at A*–A. A-level value added: +0.15 — students made above-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2023. The school's current overall rating is Good. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.0× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 18.5:1. There is 1 teaching vacancy.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 3 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 4.8 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

42.7

Grade 5+ E&M

42.40%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)10.8%

Entering EBacc64.00%

EBacc APS3.84

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.18

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc65.60%

EBacc APS4.14

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.16

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc62%

EBacc APS4.07

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.14

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

52.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc59%

EBacc APS4.65

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc63%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.19

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc66%

EBacc APS4.14

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.07

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc67%

EBacc APS4.62

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)82%

Apprenticeships7%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)85%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)90%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

+0.15

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Students

150

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*3.6%

Achieving A*–A15.3%

Achieving A*–B41.3%

VA Banding Above average

Retention rate92.7%

A-level subjects offered28

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.04

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

151

Retention rate92.10%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

147

Retention rate96.60%

2022

Avg Grade

C+

Students

137

Retention rate97.8%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

10 May 2023

Inspection Report

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11 July 2017

Inspection Report

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13 September 2012

Inspection Report

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15 September 2010

Inspection Report

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30 April 2009

Inspection Report

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06 March 2006

Inspection Report

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20 September 1999

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2023-05-10

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2017-07-11

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2012-09-13

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2009-04-30

None EIF

Outstanding

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

4.3%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

2.6%(43 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

1pupils

gavel Exclusion recorded

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 1,670 pupils. During this period, there were 71 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 4.3%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	1,670	71	4.3%	7.3%	1
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,676	88	5.3%	7.8%	2
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,698	66	3.9%	7.4%	2
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,706	56	3.3%	7.1%	3
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,704	62	3.6%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,739	50	2.9%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,755	43	2.5%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,759	54	3.1%	5.9%	1
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,754	18	1.0%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,760	48	2.7%	4.9%	1
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,762	29	1.6%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,757	24	1.4%	3.6%	1
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,757	7	0.4%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,764	27	1.5%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,756	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,756	16	0.9%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,767	29	1.6%	4.2%	4
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,736	18	1.0%	3.1%	2
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,736	18	1.0%	3.8%	2
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,736	41	2.4%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,689	20	1.2%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,684	17	1.0%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,702	14	0.8%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,722	29	1.7%	3.0%	2
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,733	55	3.2%	3.3%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,736	52	3.0%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Specific Learning Difficulty 33 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 31 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 31 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 30 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 24 pupils

Physical Disability 8 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 6 pupils

Visual Impairment 2 pupils

Severe Learning Difficulty 1 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

78.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

79.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

22.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree19%

agree43%

disagree21%

strongly disagree11%

don't know6%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree18%

agree43%

disagree29%

strongly disagree7%

don't know3%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree29%

agree26%

disagree16%

strongly disagree9%

don't know2%

not applicable17%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes20%

no80%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree20%

agree40%

disagree23%

strongly disagree12%

dont know4%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree36%

agree43%

disagree12%

strongly disagree4%

don't know5%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree36%

agree44%

disagree13%

strongly disagree5%

don't know3%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree37%

agree49%

disagree10%

strongly disagree4%

don't know1%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree51%

agree46%

disagree2%

strongly disagree1%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree49%

agree46%

disagree3%

strongly disagree2%

don't know1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree30%

agree39%

disagree16%

strongly disagree8%

don't know7%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes77%

no23%

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Dorset

The Woodroffe School

The Thomas Hardye School

Beaminster School

The Blandford School

Sturminster Newton High School

The Gryphon School