The Purbeck School

A good academy converter school in Dorset. Explore Ofsted ratings, admissions information, and performance data for The Purbeck School.

Wareham, BH204PF Ofsted: Good Age 11-18 Mixed intake
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Performance Score

Overall school rating

59

/ 100

Secondary with Sixth Form weighted harmonic mean of 5 indicators

Indicators used for Secondary with Sixth Form schools

Progress 8 score
67.5
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 0.6
English & Maths grade 4+ %
61.0
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 72.3%
Continue in education or training
37.3
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 44.0%
Sustained employment
73.2
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: 37.0%
Ofsted inspection outcome
75.0
/ 100 normalized
Weight: 20.0%
Raw: Good

How we weight each phase

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Primary schools

  • KS2 pupils meeting expected standard 40.0%
  • KS2 pupils exceeding expected standard 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

Secondary schools

  • Progress 8 score 40.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

All-through schools

  • Progress 8 score 25.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 20.0%
  • KS2 pupils meeting expected standard 20.0%
  • KS2 pupils exceeding expected standard 15.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 20.0%

Secondary with Sixth Form schools

  • Progress 8 score 20.0%
  • English & Maths grade 4+ % 20.0%
  • Continue in education or training 20.0%
  • Sustained employment 20.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 20.0%

Sixth Form Only schools

  • Continue in education or training 40.0%
  • Sustained employment 30.0%
  • Ofsted inspection outcome 30.0%

Special schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Alternative Provision schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Independent schools

  • Ofsted inspection outcome 100.0%

Ofsted Inspection

Official inspection outcomes

Good
Overall effectiveness
Good
Last inspected
3 December 2014
Previous grade
Requires Improvement
Quality of education
9
Behaviour & attitudes
9
Personal development
9
Leadership & management
Good
Safeguarding
9

Source: Ofsted inspection outcomes. Grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, Inadequate.

Contact Information

How to reach this school

Source: GIAS
Address
Worgret Road
Wareham, BH204PF
Phone
1929550077
Website
purbeck.dorset.sch.uk

Location

Find the school on the map

Source: Geocoding
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School Information

Basic details and characteristics

Source: GIAS
URN
148737
Type
Academy converter
Phase
Secondary with Sixth Form
Address
Worgret Road, Wareham, BH20 4PF
Website
http://www.purbeck.dorset.sch.uk
Age range
11-18
Gender
Mixed
Religious character
Does not apply
School status
Open
Trust/MAT
WESSEX MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Capacity
1,180 pupils
Setting
Larger rural: Nearer to a major town or city
Sixth Form
Yes
Nursery
No

School Performance Data

Official government statistics

Source: DfE

School Demographics

Total Pupils
1,040
Free School Meals
21.0% (218 pupils)
Special Educational Needs
3.7% (38 pupils)

Daily Attendance

Attendance Rate
90.4%
Good
Persistent Absence
28.7%
Missing 10%+ of school days

Real Success Rates

What happens to students after they leave this school

Continue Education
44.0%
University, college, or sixth form
Enter Employment
37.0%
Full or part-time jobs
Start Apprenticeships
4.0%
Learning while earning
Not in Education or Work
12.0%
NEET - needs support

Sixth Form University Progression

Where sixth form students go after graduation

University Progression
41%
Quality: Average
Sixth Form Size
97 students
Per cohort
Apprenticeships
4.0%

Key Performance Indicators

English & Maths Grade 5+:
72.3 (+20.3 vs average)
Attainment 8:
49.9 (+10.4 vs average)
Progress 8:
0.6 (+0.8 vs average)

Calculated Fields

Derived insights and analysis

Source: Calculated

Class Size Information

Average Class Size
65 pupils
Large Classes
Pupils per Year Group
130
Average across all year groups
Total School Size
1,040 pupils
11-18

Subjects This School Excels At

Subjects where students perform significantly above national average

Tourism (VRQ Level 3)
★★★★ ★
(6 students)
Physics (GCE A level)
★★★★ ★
(12 students)
Mathematics (GCE A level)
★★★★ ★
(26 students)
Chemistry (GCE A level)
★★★★ ★
(24 students)
Health Studies (OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate at Level 3)
★★★ ★★
(8 students)

Strong performance in 5 subjects

From the School Website

Information extracted from the school's own website

Source: School Website

Ethos & Values

"Achieving Excellence Together"

Kindness Aspiration Perseverance

Head Teacher's Message

The headteacher highlights a vibrant, caring school culture founded on kindness, aspiration and perseverance, with high expectations and a track record of strong GCSE and A level results; Ofsted praised the school for personal care and ambition.

Curriculum Highlights

In Year 7 alone, pupils study around 20 different subjects.

SEND Provision

Exceptional SEND Provision; tailored support for pupils with SEND; Ofsted praised our approach: 'The school is precise and diagnostic in identifying the needs of pupils… Teachers provide pupils with SEND with the adaptations they need to learn the curriculum.'

Admissions Criteria

The Purbeck School has an admission number of 180. The school has been oversubscribed for Year 7 places for the past few years; to guarantee a place, applying early is crucial. You can apply via Dorset Council (www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk) and the closing date for secondary and upper school applications is 31 October 2025. Dorset Council will inform outcomes on 2 March 2026 (on time) or 30 March 2026 (late). In-year admissions and waiting lists are possible.

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