The Blandford School Catchment Area
The Blandford School is a voluntary controlled secondary school in Blandford Forum, Dorset , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 1135 pupils, and a capacity of 1557 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby secondary schools below.
11-18
Age range
1,135
Pupils
1,557
Capacity
73%
Fill rate
Good
Ofsted 2024
The Blandford School Catchment Area Information
What is the catchment area for The Blandford School?
The catchment area for The Blandford School is the geographic zone Dorset uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary 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.
Secondary school places at The Blandford School are allocated by Dorset using ranked oversubscription criteria. Catchment area residence is typically among the highest priorities after looked-after children and siblings, and the boundary is reviewed each year.
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 →The Blandford School: 1557 places, 73% filled: places available
The Blandford School has a published admission number of 1557 places. 1135 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 73%. At 73% full, the school currently has headroom below its 1557 place limit. Catchment distance criteria still apply when the school is oversubscribed, but at current demand levels, places have been available for applicants outside the immediate catchment area.
The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 20.5% of pupils at The Blandford School are eligible for free school meals, broadly in line with the national average. This reflects a mixed catchment population across Dorset.
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) →
The Blandford School: School Information
- Full address
- Milldown Road, Blandford Forum, DT11 7SQ
- Local authority
- Dorset
- School type
- Voluntary controlled school
- Phase of education
- Secondary
- Age range
- 11-18 years
- Admissions policy
- Non-selective
- Free school meals
- 20.5% of pupils
- DfE URN
- 113888
Nearest secondary schools by distance
These are the secondary schools closest to The Blandford School 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions: The Blandford School
What is the catchment area for The Blandford School? ▾
The catchment area for The Blandford School is the geographic zone Dorset uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary 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 The Blandford School oversubscribed? ▾
The Blandford School has a capacity of 1557 places and currently has 1135 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Dorset.
What is the admissions policy for The Blandford School? ▾
Admission to The Blandford School 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 The Blandford School cover? ▾
The Blandford School is a secondary school in Blandford Forum, Dorset, serving pupils aged 11-18. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.
What is the Ofsted rating for The Blandford School? ▾
The Blandford School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2024. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.