UKSchoolSearch
OpenSecondaryOfsted: GoodURN 139376

The Swanage School

Free schools · Swanage · BH19 2PH

Ages 11–16 · 349 pupils · Dorset

School website

Ofsted

Good

Attainment 8

39.5

Overall absence

13.4%

Admissions demand

0.98 · Balanced demand

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Good

Inspection date

2023-11-07

Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Outstanding
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 8-0.28
−20+2
Attainment 839.5
English & maths grade 5+27%
English & maths grade 4+49%
EBacc entry5%

EBacc APS: 3.4

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

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

Overall absence13.4%
Persistent absence (10%+)37.4%
Unauthorised8.2%
Authorised absence
5.3%
Severe absence (50%+)
9.9%
Enrolments in measure
372

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

0.98 · Balanced demand

1st preferences

49

Places offered

50

1st-preference offers

49

Total preferences (any rank)
102
Preferred offers (top 3)
50
Applications from outside LA
2
Offers to outside-LA applicants
1
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 fill97%

349 pupils · 360 places

Pupils on roll
349
Boys / girls
167 / 182
School capacity
360
Capacity fill
349 / 360 (97%)
Free school meals
31.9%
FSM pupils
110
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Free schools

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

0 / 6

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

School characteristics

Governance
Academy trust: EDUCATION SWANAGE LIMITED
Academy trust
EDUCATION SWANAGE LIMITED
Headteacher
Ms Jennifer Maraspin

Location

Address
High Street
Postcode
BH19 2PH
Town
Swanage
County
Dorset
Local authority
Dorset
District
Dorset
Constituency
South 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 free schools (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Swanage, Dorset, 349 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 31.9%.

Open schools in Swanage
5
Secondary schools in Swanage
1
Academies among open schools in Swanage
80% (4)
Open schools in BH19
5
Secondary in BH19
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 SwanageNear BH19

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

Contact

Headteacher
Ms Jennifer Maraspin
Telephone
01929500599
Website
http://www.theswanageschool.co.uk/

Official links