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The Purbeck School Catchment Area

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

The Purbeck School is an academy converter secondary school in Wareham, Dorset , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 1028 pupils, and a capacity of 1180 places. Find catchment area guidance, admissions policy details and nearby secondary schools below.

11-18

Age range

1,028

Pupils

1,180

Capacity

87%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2015

The Purbeck School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for The Purbeck School?

The catchment area for The Purbeck 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.

As an academy, The Purbeck School sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Dorset. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

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 Purbeck School: 1180 places, 87% filled: places available

The Purbeck School has a published admission number of 1180 places. 1028 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 87%. At 87% full, the school currently has headroom below its 1180 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. 22.1% of pupils at The Purbeck 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 Purbeck School: School Information

Full address
Worgret Road, Wareham, BH20 4PF
Local authority
Dorset
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-18 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
22.1% of pupils
DfE URN
148737

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to The Purbeck 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.

Frequently Asked Questions: The Purbeck School

What is the catchment area for The Purbeck School?

The catchment area for The Purbeck 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 Purbeck School oversubscribed?

The Purbeck School has a capacity of 1180 places and currently has 1028 pupils enrolled. For the most up-to-date data, check with Dorset.

What is the admissions policy for The Purbeck School?

Admission to The Purbeck 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 Purbeck School cover?

The Purbeck School is a secondary school in Wareham, 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 Purbeck School?

The Purbeck School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2015. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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