Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #4 in Dorset public Top 19% UK

The Blandford School

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

personMrs Sally Wilson

location_onBlandford Forum, DT11 7SQ

language Visit Website phone 1258451121

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

1,108

trending_up

Attainment 8

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#3 in Dorset

#1,357 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

The Blandford School is a Voluntary controlled school secondary school in Blandford Forum, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

The Blandford School is a voluntary controlled school in Blandford Forum, Dorset, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. The school has approximately 1,135 pupils on roll, of whom 21% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 47, placing the school #3 in Dorset and #1,357 of 3,216 nationally. 46.20% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 17.0% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 17 A-level subjects. 58.7% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 29.0% at A*–A. A-level value added: +0.24 — students made above-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. 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.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 1.0× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 15.8:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 2 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

Grade 5+ E&M

46.20%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)17.0%

Entering EBacc26.90%

EBacc APS4.16

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.33

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc40.30%

EBacc APS4.17

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.13

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc43%

EBacc APS4.50

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.14

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

49.7

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc39%

EBacc APS4.41

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc33%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.25

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc27%

EBacc APS4.22

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.23

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc17%

EBacc APS4.39

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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

95%

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

Apprenticeships8%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

92%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)78%

Apprenticeships8%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

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

Apprenticeships5%

Employment7%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)81%

Apprenticeships7%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)7%

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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

+0.24

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*9.0%

Achieving A*–A29.0%

Achieving A*–B58.7%

VA Banding Above average

Retention rate90.2%

A-level subjects offered17

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.27

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate93.00%

2023

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate90.50%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate93.0%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

23 April 2024

Inspection Report

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02 February 2023

Inspection Report

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12 October 2021

Inspection Report

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17 January 2018

Inspection Report

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02 March 2015

Inspection Report

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11 October 2012

Inspection Report

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22 March 2011

Inspection Report

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17 November 2009

Inspection Report

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16 January 2008

Inspection Report

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06 October 2003

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2024-04-23

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 2 EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2021-10-12

Requires Improvement S5 Reinspection Visit 1 EIF

Requires improvement

Education

Good

Behaviour

Requires improvement

Development

Requires improvement

Leadership

Requires improvement

2018-01-17

S5 Inspection Legacy

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

2012-10-11

None Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

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

Suspension Rate

4.8%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

3.4%(39 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 1,135 pupils. During this period, there were 54 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 4.8%, 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)	1,135	54	4.8%	7.3%	1
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,142	56	4.9%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,135	78	6.9%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,142	55	4.8%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,142	35	3.1%	8.2%	1
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,088	41	3.8%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,108	48	4.3%	6.4%	2
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,120	46	4.1%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,075	45	4.2%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,082	40	3.7%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,087	27	2.5%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,038	37	3.6%	3.6%	2
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,043	16	1.5%	1.0%	1
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,054	51	4.8%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,024	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,024	19	1.9%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,036	18	1.7%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,003	12	1.2%	3.1%	2
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,003	28	2.8%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,018	29	2.8%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	997	31	3.1%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,006	37	3.7%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,013	24	2.4%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	974	21	2.2%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	987	26	2.6%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	999	27	2.7%	3.1%	1

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.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 38 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 31 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 19 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 5 pupils

Hearing Impairment 5 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 4 pupils

Visual Impairment 3 pupils

Physical Disability 3 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 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.

73.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

74.0%Positive

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

20.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree17%

agree43%

disagree22%

strongly disagree11%

don't know6%

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

strongly agree28%

agree41%

disagree21%

strongly disagree8%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree36%

agree25%

disagree11%

strongly disagree9%

don't know2%

not applicable17%

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

yes24%

no76%

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

strongly agree41%

agree25%

disagree23%

strongly disagree11%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree38%

agree39%

disagree13%

strongly disagree4%

don't know6%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree37%

agree41%

disagree14%

strongly disagree5%

don't know2%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree38%

agree42%

disagree16%

strongly disagree3%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree34%

agree51%

disagree11%

strongly disagree3%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree38%

agree53%

disagree4%

strongly disagree1%

don't know4%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree30%

agree34%

disagree19%

strongly disagree6%

don't know11%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes70%

no30%

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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

Sturminster Newton High School

The Gryphon School

Lytchett Minster School