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OpenSecondaryOfsted: GoodURN 113888

The Blandford School

Voluntary controlled school · Blandford Forum · DT11 7SQ

Ages 11–18 · 1,103 pupils · Dorset

School website

Ofsted

Good

Attainment 8

46.6

Overall absence

9.3%

Admissions demand

0.99 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2024-04-23

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 8-0.33
−20+2
Attainment 846.6
English & maths grade 5+48%
English & maths grade 4+68%
EBacc entry40%

EBacc APS: 4.2

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence9.3%
Persistent absence (10%+)24.0%
Unauthorised4.1%
Authorised absence
5.1%
Severe absence (50%+)
5.2%
Enrolments in measure
1,036

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

0.99 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

177

Places offered

179

1st-preference offers

177

Total preferences (any rank)
205
Preferred offers (top 3)
179
Applications from outside LA
1
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0
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 fill71%

1,103 pupils · 1,557 places

Pupils on roll
1,103
Boys / girls
547 / 556
School capacity
1,557
Capacity fill
1,103 / 1,557 (71%)
Free school meals
21.2%
FSM pupils
207
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Voluntary controlled school

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

Special classes
Has Special Classes
Governance
Voluntary controlled school
Headteacher
Mr Alan Jones

Location

Address
Milldown Road
Postcode
DT11 7SQ
Town
Blandford Forum
County
Dorset
Local authority
Dorset
District
Dorset
Constituency
North Dorset
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to 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 voluntary controlled school (secondary), Ages 11–18, in Blandford Forum, Dorset, 1,103 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: sixth form, special school, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 21.2%.

Open schools in Blandford Forum
18
Secondary schools in Blandford Forum
1
Academies among open schools in Blandford Forum
50% (9)
Open schools in DT11
19
Secondary in DT11
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.

Compare with theseAll in Blandford ForumNear DT11

  • The Forum Centre

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Pupil referral unit

    Blandford Forum · DT11 7BX · Dorset

    Ages 5–16

    • FSM63.2%

    0.3 miles away

  • Milldown CofE Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy converter · Primary

    Blandford Forum · DT11 7SN · Dorset

    Ages 4–11

    • KS269%
    • Absence6.5%
    • FSM23.0%
    • Demand1.13

    0.3 miles away

  • Bryanston School

    Other independent school

    Blandford Forum · DT11 0PX · Dorset

    Ages 3–18

    • Att813.8
    • EM5+0%

    0.7 miles away

  • Downlands Community School

    Ofsted: Needs attention

    Community school · Primary

    Blandford Forum · DT11 8BG · Dorset

    Ages 3–11

    • KS242%
    • Absence4.4%
    • FSM4.7%
    • Demand1.00

    2.5 miles away

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

Contact

Headteacher
Mr Alan Jones
Telephone
01258451121
Website
http://www.blandfordschool.org.uk

Official links