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OpenMiddle deemed secondaryOfsted: Needs attentionURN 138186

Dorchester Middle School

Academy converter · Dorchester · DT1 2HS

Ages 9–13 · 527 pupils · Dorset

School website

Ofsted

Needs attention

KS2 expected (RWM)

32%

Overall absence

9.0%

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Needs attention

Inspection date

2026-06-02

  • AchievementNeeds attention
  • Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
  • InclusionExpected standard
  • Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
  • Personal development and wellbeingExpected standard
  • Leadership and governanceExpected standard

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 2 (2023/24)

Expected standard (RWM)32%
Higher standard (RWM)3%
Avg scaled score — reading
103.0
Avg scaled score — maths
99.0
Avg scaled score — GPS
103.0

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence9.0%
Persistent absence (10%+)25.3%
Unauthorised2.4%
Authorised absence
6.6%
Severe absence (50%+)
3.8%
Enrolments in measure
578

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill88%

527 pupils · 600 places

Pupils on roll
527
Boys / girls
260 / 267
School capacity
600
Capacity fill
527 / 600 (88%)
Free school meals
22%
FSM pupils
116
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 9–13

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: WESSEX MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Academy trust
WESSEX MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Sponsor
Wessex Multi Academy Trust
Headteacher
Headteacher Jonathan Webb

Location

Address
Queen's Avenue
Postcode
DT1 2HS
Town
Dorchester
County
Dorset
Local authority
Dorset
District
Dorset
Constituency
West Dorset
Urban/rural
Urban: Further from a major town or city

SEN & specialist provision

As recorded in GIAS — provision detail, not an Ofsted judgement.

SEN types
PD - Physical Disability
Special classes
No Special Classes
Resourced provision
Resourced provision
Resourced places
3 on roll / 5 capacity

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy converter (middle deemed secondary), Ages 9–13, in Dorchester, Dorset, 527 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy. Free school meals: 22%. SEN provision includes: PD - Physical Disability.

Open schools in Dorchester
24
Middle deemed secondary schools in Dorchester
3
Academies among open schools in Dorchester
50% (12)
Open schools in DT1
8
Middle deemed secondary in DT1
2
Open schools in Dorset LA
184
Middle deemed secondary in Dorset LA
10

Nearby middle deemed secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in DorchesterNear DT1

  • The Thomas Hardye School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Dorchester · DT1 2ET · Dorset

    Ages 13–18

    • Att848.9
    • P80.3
    • EM5+48%
    • Absence11.6%

    0.2 miles away

  • The Prince of Wales School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Community school · Primary

    Dorchester · DT1 2HH · Dorset

    Ages 2–9

    • Absence4.9%
    • FSM10.3%

    0.4 miles away

  • Damers First School

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy converter · Primary

    Dorchester · DT1 3DF · Dorset

    Ages 4–9

    • Absence4.7%
    • FSM19.2%

    0.8 miles away

Contact

Headteacher
Headteacher Jonathan Webb
Telephone
01305265651
Website
http://www.dorchestermid.dorset.sch.uk

Official links