How many schools are in Dorset?

Dorset has 184 open schools — 119 primary schools and 18 secondary schools across 28 areas. Data sourced from the Department for Education's Get Information About Schools (GIAS) register.

What areas are covered by Dorset school catchment zones?

Dorset administers catchment areas across 28 areas, including Dorchester, Wimborne, Weymouth, Blandford Forum, Sherborne and more. Each school's catchment boundary is set by the local authority and reviewed annually as part of the admissions process.

How do school catchment areas work in Dorset?

In Dorset, catchment areas define a geographical zone around each school. Children living within the catchment boundary are given priority in oversubscription criteria. The exact boundary — and the "last distance offered" — changes each year based on application volumes. Official catchment maps and admissions policies are published by Dorset council each autumn.

Which schools in Dorset are oversubscribed?

Oversubscription varies by school and year in Dorset. Popular schools typically receive more applications than available places, meaning the "last distance offered" shrinks annually. To check demand for a specific school, consult the Dorset admissions authority's published offer data or the school's own admissions policy.

Dorset School Catchment Areas

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

Schools in Dorset split across 129 primaries and 28 secondaries, with catchment boundaries set afresh each admissions cycle by the council's school admissions team.

The largest concentrations sit around Dorchester, Wimborne and Weymouth, which together account for a meaningful share of the council's pupil places.

Selective schools are part of the mix in Dorset — for those applying to grammar schools, a selective admissions test is required in addition to the standard admissions process.

184 total 119 primary 18 secondary 28 areas

Dorset Catchment Area Documents

Official admissions policies and catchment boundary maps for Dorset schools are published annually.

Find admissions documents →

Schools in Dorchester

23 schools

Broadmayne First School

Primary · Community school

Dorchester · DT2 8PH

Ages 4–9 148 pupils Capacity 150

The Prince of Wales School

Primary · Community school

Dorchester · DT1 2HH

Ages 2–9 156 pupils Capacity 150

Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School

Primary · Voluntary controlled school

Dorchester · DT2 7LA

Ages 3–9 81 pupils Capacity 75

Maiden Newton, Greenford Church of England Primary School

Primary · Voluntary controlled school

Dorchester · DT2 0AX

Ages 4–11 148 pupils Capacity 150

Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

Primary · Voluntary aided school

Dorchester · DT2 0JP

Ages 5–11 84 pupils Capacity 105

Thorner's Church of England School, Litton Cheney

Primary · Voluntary aided school

Dorchester · DT2 9AU

Ages 2–11 114 pupils Capacity 105

Winterbourne Valley Church of England Aided First School

Primary · Voluntary aided school

Dorchester · DT2 9LW

Ages 3–9 65 pupils Capacity 90

Sunninghill Preparatory School

Not applicable · Other independent school

Dorchester · DT1 1EB

Ages 2–13 171 pupils Capacity 200

Dorchester Learning Centre

Not applicable · Pupil referral unit

Dorchester · DT2 9PS

Ages 5–18 53 pupils Capacity 59

The Thomas Hardye School

Secondary · Academy converter

Dorchester · DT1 2ET

Ages 13–18 2051 pupils Capacity 2138

Dorchester Middle School

Middle deemed secondary · Academy converter

Dorchester · DT1 2HS

Ages 9–13 543 pupils Capacity 600

St Mary's Church of England Middle School, Puddletown

Middle deemed secondary · Academy converter

Dorchester · DT2 8SA

Ages 9–13 445 pupils Capacity 480

Showing 12 of 23. View all schools in Dorchester →

Schools in Wimborne

23 schools

Sturminster Marshall First School

Primary · Community school

Wimborne · BH21 4AY

Ages 4–9 68 pupils Capacity 148

Rushcombe First School

Primary · Community school

Wimborne · BH21 3PX

Ages 4–9 314 pupils Capacity 308

Cranborne Middle School

Middle deemed secondary · Community school

Wimborne · BH21 5RP

Ages 9–13 306 pupils Capacity 256

Dumpton School

Not applicable · Other independent school

Wimborne · BH21 7AF

Ages 2–13 339 pupils Capacity 370

Beaucroft Foundation School

Not applicable · Foundation special school

Wimborne · BH21 2SS

Ages 4–19 231 pupils Capacity 230

Queen Elizabeth's School

Secondary · Academy converter

Wimborne · BH21 4DT

Ages 13–18 1452 pupils Capacity 1580

Allenbourn Middle School

Middle deemed secondary · Academy converter

Wimborne · BH21 1PL

Ages 9–13 512 pupils Capacity 629

Colehill First School

Primary · Academy converter

Wimborne · BH21 2LZ

Ages 5–9 147 pupils Capacity 150

Hayeswood First School

Primary · Academy converter

Wimborne · BH21 2HN

Ages 5–9 142 pupils Capacity 150

St John's Church of England First School, Wimborne

Primary · Academy converter

Wimborne · BH21 1BX

Ages 5–9 141 pupils Capacity 150

St Michael's Church of England Middle School, Colehill

Middle deemed secondary · Academy converter

Wimborne · BH21 7AB

Ages 9–13 583 pupils Capacity 560

Witchampton Church of England First School

Primary · Academy converter

Wimborne · BH21 5AP

Ages 5–9 51 pupils Capacity 75

Showing 12 of 23. View all schools in Wimborne →

Schools in Weymouth

22 schools

Wyke Regis Infant School and Nursery

Primary · Community school

Weymouth · DT4 9LU

Ages 3–7 236 pupils Capacity 250

Bincombe Valley Primary School

Primary · Community school

Weymouth · DT3 6AW

Ages 2–11 293 pupils Capacity 348

Radipole Primary School

Primary · Community school

Weymouth · DT3 5HS

Ages 4–11 442 pupils Capacity 444

Southill Primary School

Primary · Community school

Weymouth · DT4 9UF

Ages 4–11 210 pupils Capacity 218

Wyke Regis Church of England Junior School

Primary · Voluntary controlled school

Weymouth · DT4 9NU

Ages 7–11 349 pupils Capacity 360

Westfield Arts College

Not applicable · Foundation special school

Weymouth · DT3 6AA

Ages 4–19 234 pupils

Holy Trinity Church of England VC Primary School & Community Nursery

Primary · Voluntary controlled school

Weymouth · DT4 9QX

Ages 2–11 474 pupils Capacity 465

Coastland College

All through · Further education

Weymouth · DT4 7LQ

Ages 16–99

Conifers Primary School

Primary · Community school

Weymouth · DT4 0QF

Ages 4–11 359 pupils Capacity 390

The Compass

Not applicable · Pupil referral unit

Weymouth · DT4 0QU

Ages 5–16 42 pupils Capacity 67

Wyvern Academy

Not applicable · Academy special converter

Weymouth · DT3 5AL

Ages 2–19 90 pupils Capacity 90

Chickerell Primary Academy

Primary · Academy converter

Weymouth · DT3 4AT

Ages 2–11 409 pupils Capacity 420

Showing 12 of 22. View all schools in Weymouth →

Schools in Blandford Forum

18 schools

Downlands Community School

Primary · Community school

Blandford Forum · DT11 8BG

Ages 3–11 215 pupils Capacity 420

The Blandford School

Secondary · Voluntary controlled school

Blandford Forum · DT11 7SQ

Ages 11–18 1135 pupils Capacity 1557

Bryanston School

Not applicable · Other independent school

Blandford Forum · DT11 0PX

Ages 3–18 778 pupils Capacity 911

Hanford School

Not applicable · Other independent school

Blandford Forum · DT11 8HN

Ages 7–13 69 pupils Capacity 120

Clayesmore School

Not applicable · Other independent school

Blandford Forum · DT11 8LL

Ages 2–19 489 pupils Capacity 650

Milton Abbey School

Not applicable · Other independent school

Blandford Forum · DT11 0BZ

Ages 13–19 218 pupils Capacity 260

The Forum School

Not applicable · Other independent special school

Blandford Forum · DT11 0QS

Ages 7–19 24 pupils Capacity 66

The Forum Centre

Not applicable · Pupil referral unit

Blandford Forum · DT11 7BX

Ages 5–16 18 pupils Capacity 57

Archbishop Wake Church of England Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Blandford Forum · DT11 8SW

Ages 0–11 369 pupils Capacity 420

Blandford St Mary Church of England Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Blandford Forum · DT11 9QD

Ages 4–11 206 pupils Capacity 210

Spetisbury CofE Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Blandford Forum · DT11 9DF

Ages 4–11 184 pupils Capacity 210

Milborne St Andrew First School

Primary · Academy converter

Blandford Forum · DT11 0JE

Ages 4–9 48 pupils Capacity 115

Showing 12 of 18. View all schools in Blandford Forum →

Schools in Sherborne

13 schools

Sherborne Preparatory School

Not applicable · Other independent school

Sherborne · DT9 3NY

Ages 3–14 198 pupils Capacity 280

Sherborne School

Not applicable · Other independent school

Sherborne · DT9 3AP

Ages 13–19 573 pupils Capacity 600

Sherborne School for Girls

Not applicable · Other independent school

Sherborne · DT9 3QN

Ages 11–18 466 pupils Capacity 510

Leweston School

Not applicable · Other independent school

Sherborne · DT9 6EN

Ages 2–19 576 pupils Capacity 725

The Gryphon School

Secondary · Academy converter

Sherborne · DT9 4EQ

Ages 11–18 1555 pupils Capacity 1495

Trent Young's CofE Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Sherborne · DT9 4SW

Ages 4–11 145 pupils Capacity 140

St Mary's Church of England Primary School, Bradford Abbas

Primary · Academy converter

Sherborne · DT9 6RH

Ages 4–11 89 pupils Capacity 119

Sherborne Abbey Church of England Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Sherborne · DT9 6AQ

Ages 4–11 339 pupils Capacity 420

Thornford CofE Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Sherborne · DT9 6QY

Ages 4–11 99 pupils Capacity 105

St Andrew's Church of England Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Sherborne · DT9 6LS

Ages 4–11 107 pupils Capacity 200

Sherborne Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Sherborne · DT9 4AJ

Ages 4–11 319 pupils Capacity 330

Harbour Vale School

Not applicable · Academy alternative provision sponsor led

Sherborne · DT9 4DN

Ages 5–16 18 pupils Capacity 38

Showing 12 of 13. View all schools in Sherborne →

Schools in Bridport

11 schools

Salway Ash Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

Primary · Voluntary aided school

Bridport · DT6 5JE

Ages 5–11 110 pupils Capacity 105

Powerstock Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

Primary · Voluntary aided school

Bridport · DT6 3TB

Ages 4–11 39 pupils Capacity 70

Symondsbury Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

Primary · Voluntary aided school

Bridport · DT6 6HD

Ages 4–11 105 pupils Capacity 112

St Catherine's Roman Catholic School

Primary · Academy converter

Bridport · DT6 3TR

Ages 5–11 118 pupils Capacity 210

Marshwood CofE Primary Academy

Primary · Academy converter

Bridport · DT6 5QA

Ages 4–11 46 pupils Capacity 70

The Sir John Colfox Academy

Secondary · Academy converter

Bridport · DT6 3DT

Ages 11–18 792 pupils Capacity 1024

Loders CofE Primary Academy

Primary · Academy sponsor led

Bridport · DT6 3SA

Ages 2–11 73 pupils Capacity 84

Bridport Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Bridport · DT6 3BJ

Ages 4–11 288 pupils Capacity 420

Bridport, St Mary's Church of England Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Bridport · DT6 5LA

Ages 4–11 196 pupils Capacity 210

Burton Bradstock Church of England Voluntary Controlled School

Primary · Academy converter

Bridport · DT6 4QS

Ages 3–11 99 pupils Capacity 105

Charmouth Primary School

Primary · Academy sponsor led

Bridport · DT6 6LR

Ages 3–11 81 pupils Capacity 150

Schools in Wareham

10 schools

Sandford St Martin's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

Primary · Voluntary aided school

Wareham · BH20 7BN

Ages 4–11 366 pupils Capacity 432

St Mary & St Joseph's Catholic Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Wareham · BH20 6DS

Ages 4–11 116 pupils Capacity 210

Corfe Castle Church of England Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Wareham · BH20 5EE

Ages 2–11 88 pupils Capacity 105

Wareham St Mary Church of England Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Wareham · BH20 4PG

Ages 4–11 175 pupils Capacity 216

Bere Regis Primary and Preschool

Primary · Academy sponsor led

Wareham · BH20 7DB

Ages 2–11 124 pupils Capacity 140

Bovington Academy

Primary · Academy sponsor led

Wareham · BH20 6LE

Ages 4–11 179 pupils Capacity 210

Wool Church of England Primary School

Primary · Academy sponsor led

Wareham · BH20 6BT

Ages 2–11 92 pupils Capacity 141

The Purbeck School

Secondary · Academy converter

Wareham · BH20 4PF

Ages 11–18 1028 pupils Capacity 1180

Stoborough Church of England Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Wareham · BH20 5AD

Ages 4–11 190 pupils Capacity 210

Lulworth and Winfrith CofE Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Wareham · BH20 5SA

Ages 4–11 120 pupils Capacity 140

Schools in Gillingham

7 schools

Stower Provost Community School

Primary · Community school

Gillingham · SP8 5LX

Ages 4–11 88 pupils Capacity 146

Gillingham School

Secondary · Voluntary controlled school

Gillingham · SP8 4QP

Ages 11–18 1670 pupils Capacity 1850

St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Gillingham · SP8 4GG

Ages 2–11 241 pupils Capacity 244

Gillingham Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Gillingham · SP8 4QR

Ages 4–11 234 pupils Capacity 420

Milton-on-Stour Church of England Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Gillingham · SP8 5QD

Ages 4–11 122 pupils Capacity 148

St George's Church of England School, Bourton

Primary · Academy converter

Gillingham · SP8 5BN

Ages 2–11 119 pupils Capacity 119

Wyke Primary School

Primary · Academy sponsor led

Gillingham · SP8 4SH

Ages 4–11 171 pupils Capacity 207

Schools in Ferndown

7 schools

Ferndown Upper School

Secondary · Community school

Ferndown · BH22 9EY

Ages 13–19 1169 pupils Capacity 1146

West Moors Middle School

Middle deemed secondary · Community school

Ferndown · BH22 0DA

Ages 9–13 236 pupils Capacity 240

Oakhurst Community First School

Primary · Academy converter

Ferndown · BH22 0DY

Ages 5–9 175 pupils Capacity 209

St Mary's CofE First School & Nursery

Primary · Academy converter

Ferndown · BH22 0JF

Ages 2–9 136 pupils Capacity 184

Ferndown First School

Primary · Academy converter

Ferndown · BH22 9FB

Ages 4–9 360 pupils Capacity 342

Parley First School

Primary · Academy converter

Ferndown · BH22 8QE

Ages 4–9 308 pupils Capacity 315

Ferndown Middle School

Middle deemed secondary · Academy converter

Ferndown · BH22 9UP

Ages 9–13 613 pupils Capacity 600

Schools in Sturminster Newton

6 schools

Hazelbury Bryan Primary School

Primary · Community school

Sturminster Newton · DT10 2ED

Ages 2–11 124 pupils Capacity 119

William Barnes Primary School

Primary · Community school

Sturminster Newton · DT10 1BZ

Ages 4–11 166 pupils Capacity 210

Yewstock School

Not applicable · Community special school

Sturminster Newton · DT10 1EW

Ages 2–19 170 pupils Capacity 149

St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Marnhull

Primary · Academy converter

Sturminster Newton · DT10 1JX

Ages 2–11 87 pupils Capacity 175

Sturminster Newton High School

Secondary · Academy converter

Sturminster Newton · DT10 1DT

Ages 11–18 617 pupils Capacity 900

St Gregory's Church of England Primary School, Marnhull

Primary · Academy sponsor led

Sturminster Newton · DT10 1PZ

Ages 4–11 57 pupils Capacity 168

Schools in Shaftesbury

6 schools

The Abbey CofE VA Primary School, Shaftesbury

Primary · Voluntary aided school

Shaftesbury · SP7 8HQ

Ages 4–11 191 pupils Capacity 210

Port Regis Preparatory School

Not applicable · Other independent school

Shaftesbury · SP7 9QA

Ages 2–13 317 pupils Capacity 446

Shaftesbury School

Secondary · Academy converter

Shaftesbury · SP7 8ER

Ages 11–18 864 pupils Capacity 1283

Motcombe CofE Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Shaftesbury · SP7 9NT

Ages 4–11 162 pupils Capacity 210

Shaftesbury Church of England Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Shaftesbury · SP7 8PZ

Ages 4–11 338 pupils Capacity 420

St Andrew's Church of England Primary School

Primary · Academy sponsor led

Shaftesbury · SP7 0PF

Ages 4–11 81 pupils Capacity 175

Schools in Beaminster

5 schools

Broadwindsor Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School

Primary · Voluntary controlled school

Beaminster · DT8 3QL

Ages 4–11 93 pupils Capacity 105

Parrett and Axe Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School

Primary · Voluntary aided school

Beaminster · DT8 3JQ

Ages 4–11 131 pupils Capacity 140

Beaminster School

Secondary · Voluntary controlled school

Beaminster · DT8 3EP

Ages 11–18 679 pupils Capacity 760

Mountjoy School

Not applicable · Community special school

Beaminster · DT8 3HB

Ages 4–19 112 pupils Capacity 110

Beaminster St Mary's Academy

Primary · Academy sponsor led

Beaminster · DT8 3BY

Ages 4–11 125 pupils Capacity 210

Schools in Poole

5 schools

Lytchett Minster School

Secondary · Foundation school

Poole · BH16 6JD

Ages 11–19 1590 pupils Capacity 1650

Yarrells Preparatory School

Not applicable · Other independent school

Poole · BH16 5EU

Ages 2–11 258 pupils Capacity 305

Lytchett Matravers Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Poole · BH16 6DY

Ages 2–11 500 pupils Capacity 436

Upton Junior School

Primary · Academy converter

Poole · BH16 5NQ

Ages 7–11 356 pupils Capacity 384

Upton Infant School

Primary · Academy converter

Poole · BH16 5LQ

Ages 4–7 251 pupils Capacity 270

Schools in Swanage

5 schools

The Swanage School

Secondary · Free schools

Swanage · BH19 2PH

Ages 11–16 339 pupils Capacity 360

St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Swanage

Primary · Academy converter

Swanage · BH19 1QE

Ages 4–11 180 pupils Capacity 210

Swanage St Mark's Church of England Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Swanage · BH19 2PH

Ages 4–11 120 pupils Capacity 210

Swanage Primary School

Primary · Academy converter

Swanage · BH19 2EY

Ages 2–11 202 pupils Capacity 210

St George's Church of England Primary School, Langton Matravers

Primary · Academy converter

Swanage · BH19 3HB

Ages 2–11 91 pupils Capacity 120

Schools in Verwood

4 schools

Emmanuel Church of England Middle School

Middle deemed secondary · Academy sponsor led

Verwood · BH31 6JF

Ages 9–13 439 pupils Capacity 480

Hillside Community First School

Primary · Academy converter

Verwood · BH31 7HE

Ages 4–9 206 pupils Capacity 240

Verwood Church of England First School

Primary · Academy converter

Verwood · BH31 6JF

Ages 2–9 290 pupils Capacity 330

Trinity Church of England First School

Primary · Academy converter

Verwood · BH31 7PG

Ages 4–9 117 pupils Capacity 150

Schools in Other

3 schools

Castle Court School

Not applicable · Other independent school

· BH21 3RF

Ages 2–13 259 pupils Capacity 380

Arbour House School

Not applicable · Other independent special school

· DT4 7QF

Ages 6–18 29 pupils Capacity 60

Harbour School Dorset

Not applicable · Free schools special

· BH20 6NU

Ages 10–19 140 pupils Capacity 130

Schools in Ringwood

3 schools

Ringwood Waldorf School

Not applicable · Other independent school

Ringwood · BH24 2NN

Ages 2–19 256 pupils Capacity 314

Sheiling School

Not applicable · Other independent special school

Ringwood · BH24 2EB

Ages 5–19 34 pupils Capacity 45

St Ives Primary & Nursery School

Primary · Academy converter

Ringwood · BH24 2LE

Ages 2–11 256 pupils Capacity 240

Schools in Lyme Regis

2 schools

The Woodroffe School

Secondary · Foundation school

Lyme Regis · DT7 3LX

Ages 11–18 978 pupils Capacity 1050

St Michael's CofE Primary School, Lyme Regis

Primary · Academy sponsor led

Lyme Regis · DT7 3DY

Ages 4–11 73 pupils Capacity 189

Schools in Portland

2 schools

St George's Foundation Primary School

Primary · Foundation school

Portland · DT5 2BD

Ages 4–11 443 pupils Capacity 503

Atlantic Academy Portland

Special · Academy sponsor led

Portland · DT5 2NA

Ages 4–16 748 pupils Capacity 1020

Schools in DORCHESTER

1 school

Cheselbourne Village School

Primary · Community school

DORCHESTER · DT2 7NT

Ages 3–9 51 pupils Capacity 60

Schools in Stalbridge

1 school

Stalbridge Church of England Primary School

Primary · Foundation school

Stalbridge · DT10 2LP

Ages 4–11 190 pupils Capacity 210

Schools in Ringwood, Hants

1 school

Sheiling College

Not applicable · Special post 16 institution

Ringwood, Hants · BH24 2EB

Ages 19–24 Capacity 42

Schools in Winterborne Whitechurch

1 school

Dunbury Church of England Academy

Primary · Academy sponsor led

Winterborne Whitechurch · DT11 0AW

Ages 2–11 113 pupils Capacity 210

Schools in Salisbury

1 school

Sixpenny Handley First School and Nursery

Primary · Academy converter

Salisbury · SP5 5NJ

Ages 2–9 82 pupils Capacity 125

Schools in Fordingbridge

1 school

St James' Church of England First School and Nursery, Alderholt

Primary · Academy converter

Fordingbridge · SP6 3AJ

Ages 2–9 125 pupils Capacity 180

Schools in Dorset

1 school

Graduately Developing Futures

Not applicable · Other independent special school

Dorset · BH16 6DA

Ages 6–14 14 pupils Capacity 36

Schools in Holton Heath

1 school

Millie College

Not applicable · Special post 16 institution

Holton Heath · BH16 6JN

Ages 16–25 Capacity 80

Schools in Thorncombe

1 school

Thorncombe, St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy

Primary · Academy converter

Thorncombe · TA20 4NE

Ages 2–11 32 pupils Capacity 77