Schools in Shaftesbury
Shaftesbury is a hilltop Dorset market town with 9 schools, including 6 primaries, an independent prep school (Port Regis), and Shaftesbury School secondary. Seven of the nine schools have a religious foundation — one of the highest faith-school ratios in southern England — with Church of England schools predominating across the rural villages.
Dorset Council administers admissions for state schools in Shaftesbury. The faith schools apply their own oversubscription criteria, which typically prioritise regular worshippers before distance. All four Ofsted-rated state schools hold Good or Outstanding grades. Families considering Port Regis should apply directly to the school as it operates independently of the local authority process.
Primary Schools in Shaftesbury (6)
The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury
Primary · Voluntary aided school
Shaftesbury · SP7 8HQ
Semley Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Primary · Voluntary aided school
Shaftesbury · SP7 9AU
Motcombe CofE Primary School
Primary · Academy converter
Shaftesbury · SP7 9NT
Shaftesbury Church of England Primary School
Primary · Academy converter
Shaftesbury · SP7 8PZ
St Andrew's Church of England Primary School
Primary · Academy sponsor led
Shaftesbury · SP7 0PF
Ludwell Primary School
Primary · Academy sponsor led
Shaftesbury · SP7 9ND
Secondary Schools in Shaftesbury (1)
Other Schools in Shaftesbury (2)
Catchment area boundaries for schools in Shaftesbury are set by Dorset and updated each year. The "last distance offered", how far the furthest successful applicant lived, changes annually based on the number of applications received.