Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #15 in Dorset public Top 37% UK

Shaftesbury School

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

personMrs Donna London-Hill

corporate_fareSHERBORNE AREA SCHOOLS' TRUST

location_onShaftesbury, SP7 8ER

language Visit Website phone 1747854498

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2023

groups

Students

905

trending_up

Attainment 8

39.1

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#15 in Dorset

#2,658 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Shaftesbury School is a Academy converter secondary school in Shaftesbury, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

Shaftesbury School is an academy converter in Shaftesbury, Dorset, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of SHERBORNE AREA SCHOOLS' TRUST. The school has approximately 864 pupils on roll, of whom 28% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 39.1, placing the school #15 in Dorset and #2,658 of 3,216 nationally. 27.50% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 8.5% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 24 A-level subjects. 24.2% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 6.4% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.42 — students made below-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.

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

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 18.4:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 3 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 5.3 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

39.1

Grade 5+ E&M

27.50%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)8.5%

Entering EBacc31.90%

EBacc APS3.47

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.5

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

42.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc38.70%

EBacc APS3.81

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.30

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

41.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc40%

EBacc APS3.80

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.12

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc55%

EBacc APS4.45

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc66%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.23

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc63%

EBacc APS4.03

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.37

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc15%

EBacc APS3.86

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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

96%

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

Apprenticeships5%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)87%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

96%

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

Apprenticeships2%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

97%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)94%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment0%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

94%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)86%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)3%

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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

-0.42

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*0.6%

Achieving A*–A6.4%

Achieving A*–B24.2%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate93.5%

A-level subjects offered24

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.38

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate80.90%

2023

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Retention rate91.40%

2022

Avg Grade

B-

Students

Retention rate98.7%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

07 March 2023

Inspection Report

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17 May 2017

Inspection Report

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05 June 2014

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2023-03-07

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2017-05-17

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2013-05-16

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2011-06-08

None EIF

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Requires improvement

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

5.6%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

3.1%(27 pupils)

Spring term 2025

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

Permanent Exclusions

2pupils

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 864 pupils. During this period, there were 48 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 5.6%, 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)	864	48	5.6%	7.3%	2
2024/25 (Autumn term)	867	43	5.0%	7.8%	1
2023/24 (Summer term)	863	45	5.2%	7.4%	2
2023/24 (Spring term)	868	84	9.7%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	863	83	9.6%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	902	46	5.1%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	905	65	7.2%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	910	45	4.9%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	963	69	7.2%	4.7%	2
2021/22 (Spring term)	967	73	7.5%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	976	75	7.7%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	955	68	7.1%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	949	11	1.2%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	952	51	5.4%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	960	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	960	20	2.1%	3.2%	1
2019/20 (Autumn term)	967	25	2.6%	4.2%	2
2018/19 (Summer term)	979	22	2.2%	3.1%	2
2018/19 (Spring term)	979	27	2.8%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	987	24	2.4%	3.8%	1
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,062	42	4.0%	3.4%	3
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,076	22	2.0%	3.0%	1
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,083	25	2.3%	3.7%	1
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,067	29	2.7%	3.0%	2
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,073	19	1.8%	3.3%	1
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,085	20	1.8%	3.1%	3

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.

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 64 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 32 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 29 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 22 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 14 pupils

Physical Disability 5 pupils

Hearing Impairment 4 pupils

Visual Impairment 4 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 2 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.

77.0%Positive

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

23.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree15%

agree49%

disagree20%

strongly disagree8%

don't know8%

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

strongly agree13%

agree33%

disagree33%

strongly disagree19%

don't know3%

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

strongly agree23%

agree23%

disagree22%

strongly disagree8%

don't know3%

not applicable20%

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 agree6%

agree12%

disagree53%

strongly disagree24%

dont know6%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree27%

agree38%

disagree14%

strongly disagree6%

don't know15%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree30%

agree42%

disagree10%

strongly disagree9%

don't know8%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree27%

agree37%

disagree21%

strongly disagree9%

don't know6%

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

strongly agree34%

agree52%

disagree8%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

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

strongly agree40%

agree57%

disagree1%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree22%

agree30%

disagree15%

strongly disagree13%

don't know20%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes65%

no35%

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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

Faith Priority (Church of England)

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