Overall Oxbridge
#121
1 ranked schools · +793 places vs Eng avg #914 of 1,983
Applications
22
Offers
10
Offer rate45.5%
+23.1 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 22.4%
Schools in Dorchester
Roman foundations run deep. The garrison of Durnovaria rose after the Durotriges were defeated, and the medieval town later hosted Judge Jeffreys' Bloody Assizes and the trial of the Tolpuddle Martyrs.
The county town of Dorset with around 21,000 residents, Dorchester sits on the River Frome in a historic centre where families compete for places in sought-after neighbourhoods like Dorchester and Litton Cheney. Buckland Newton, Evershot, and Kingston Maurward extend into the surrounding downland. The A35 trunk road runs through the centre, connecting Poole to the east and Bridport to the west, while Dorchester South railway station links the town to Weymouth and regional services beyond.
19
Primary
schools
2
Secondary
schools
1
Special
schools
1
Other
schools
of which1sixth forms·14faith23 total
Area Performance
Dorchester schools rank in the top 56% of England
Across 7 primary schools, state and independent. The average Find My School Inspection Score is 6.70/10, -0.65 vs England.
Find My School Inspection Band
5% Elite
Distribution across all Dorchester schools
EliteExcellentGoodDeveloping
Dorchester vs England distribution
National Rank
Top 56%
Across all ranked Dorchester schools
Top 56%Primaryavg #8,445 of 14,978
Primary schools: 7 schools (state + independent)
LocalEngland avg
Average FMS Inspection Score
6.7/10
-0.65 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.3/10
Average national rank
#8,445
-6 pts vs medianmedian 7,489
top 56% of 14,978
% reaching expected RWM standardstate
61%
-1 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 62%
% reaching higher RWM standardstate
7%
-1 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 8%
Average FMS Inspection Score
6.7/10
-0.65 vs Eng avgEng avg 7.3/10
Average national rank
#8,445
-6 pts vs medianmedian 7,489
top 56% of 14,978
% reaching expected RWM standardstate
61%
-1 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 62%
% reaching higher RWM standardstate
7%
-1 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 8%
Oxford
#75
1 ranked schools · +178 places vs Eng avg #253 of 1,197
Applications
16
Offers
7
Offer rate43.8%
+28.7 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 15.1%
Cambridge
#246
1 ranked schools · +527 places vs Eng avg #773 of 1,880
Applications
6
Offers
3
Offer rate50.0%
+20.6 pts vs Eng avgEng avg 29.4%
Top 3 Primary Schools
2026
Dorchester
1 Secondary School
2026
Dorchester
1 Sixth Form
2026
Dorchester
Local directory
School profiles in Dorchester
Browse 21 local profile links across primary schools and secondary schools. Each profile brings together admissions context, performance data, inspection history and school details in one place.
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