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OpenSecondaryOfsted: GoodURN 140898

Shaftesbury School

Academy converter · Shaftesbury · SP7 8ER

Ages 11–18 · 782 pupils · Dorset

Ofsted

Good

Attainment 8

42.1

Overall absence

11.4%

Admissions demand

0.97 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

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Headline

Good

Inspection date

2023-03-07

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good
Safeguarding effective
Yes

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

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

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.50
−20+2
Attainment 842.1
English & maths grade 5+34%
English & maths grade 4+55%
EBacc entry39%

EBacc APS: 3.8

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence11.4%
Persistent absence (10%+)34.7%
Unauthorised2.2%
Authorised absence
9.1%
Severe absence (50%+)
6.1%
Enrolments in measure
738

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.97 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

153

Places offered

158

1st-preference offers

153

Total preferences (any rank)
259
Preferred offers (top 3)
157
Applications from outside LA
50
Offers to outside-LA applicants
35
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill61%

782 pupils · 1,283 places

Pupils on roll
782
Boys / girls
424 / 358
School capacity
1,283
Capacity fill
782 / 1,283 (61%)
Free school meals
25.9%
FSM pupils
175
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy converter

Age range

Ages 11–18

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

2 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth formHas a sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Religious character
Church of England
Diocese
Diocese of Salisbury
Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: SHERBORNE AREA SCHOOLS' TRUST
Academy trust
SHERBORNE AREA SCHOOLS' TRUST
Headteacher
Mrs Stephanie Bowen

Location

Address
Salisbury Road
Postcode
SP7 8ER
Town
Shaftesbury
County
Dorset
Local authority
Dorset
District
Dorset
Constituency
North Dorset
Urban/rural
Larger rural: Further from a major town or city

Local context

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

Mixed academy converter (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Shaftesbury, Dorset, 782 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 25.9%. Religious character: Church of England. Diocese: Diocese of Salisbury.

Open schools in Shaftesbury
9
Secondary schools in Shaftesbury
1
Academies among open schools in Shaftesbury
56% (5)
Open schools in SP7
9
Secondary in SP7
1
Open schools in Dorset LA
184
Secondary in Dorset LA
18

Nearby secondary schools

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

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Stephanie Bowen
Telephone
01747854498

Official links