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catchment.school

Dorchester Learning Centre Catchment Area

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

Dorchester Learning Centre is a pupil referral unit not applicable school in Dorchester, Dorset , serving pupils aged 5-18, with 53 pupils, and a capacity of 59 places. The school is operating close to capacity, and catchment area boundaries apply when the school is oversubscribed.

5-18

Age range

53

Pupils

59

Capacity

90%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2022

Dorchester Learning Centre Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Dorchester Learning Centre?

The catchment area for Dorchester Learning Centre is the geographic zone Dorset uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Dorset publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

The catchment area for Dorchester Learning Centre is set by Dorset and reviewed annually. Children living within the catchment boundary receive priority consideration when applications exceed the number of available places.

Operating near capacity: 90% of places are currently filled. Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

Get an alert if Dorchester Learning Centre goes oversubscribed for 2027 →

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Dorset before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Dorset catchment area documents →

Dorchester Learning Centre: 59 places, 90% filled: nearing capacity

Dorchester Learning Centre has a published admission number of 59 places. 53 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 90%. The school is operating close to its limit. In years where applications exceed 59, Dorset's admissions team applies distance-based tiebreakers. Families within the school's historical catchment boundary are well placed, but a boundary check with the council is recommended before applying.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 64.7% of pupils at Dorchester Learning Centre are eligible for free school meals, above the national average of around 24%. This reflects the school's role in a higher-deprivation area of Dorchester.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Dorset publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Dorset Council school admissions (official) →

Dorchester Learning Centre: School Information

Full address
Monkton Park, Winterborne Monkton, Dorchester, DT2 9PS
Local authority
Dorset
School type
Pupil referral unit
Phase of education
Not applicable
Age range
5-18 years
Free school meals
64.7% of pupils
DfE URN
130316

Other Not applicable Schools in Dorchester

If Dorchester Learning Centre is oversubscribed, these not applicable schools in Dorchester are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest not applicable schools by distance

These are the not applicable schools closest to Dorchester Learning Centre by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: Dorchester Learning Centre

What is the catchment area for Dorchester Learning Centre?

The catchment area for Dorchester Learning Centre is the geographic zone Dorset uses to prioritise admissions when this not applicable school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Dorset publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Dorchester Learning Centre oversubscribed?

Dorchester Learning Centre is operating close to its capacity of 59 places (90% full). Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

What is the admissions policy for Dorchester Learning Centre?

Admission to Dorchester Learning Centre is managed by Dorset. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does Dorchester Learning Centre cover?

Dorchester Learning Centre is a not applicable school in Dorchester, Dorset, serving pupils aged 5-18. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Dorchester Learning Centre?

Dorchester Learning Centre was rated Good by Ofsted in 2022. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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