Beaminster School, Beaminster

From the headteacher's welcome: "We are proud of our school and its achievements across the entire curriculum. We are optimistic about the future for our students and seek to develop their abilities in a happy, secure stimulating and purposeful environment."

In 2026, pupils at Beaminster School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 45.4, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 43.4 in Dorset and 47 across England.

41% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 39% in Dorset and 47% in England.

That is down from 47 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.08: pupils made about average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 35.8, against 47.5 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 11.7 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 19 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Religious Studies, Combined Science and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 119 families put Beaminster School as their first choice and 200 named it as one of their preferences, for 120 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

Of the 122 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 82% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 46% to a further education college, 6% to an apprenticeship and 4% into work.

Of the 25 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 24% went on to university or other higher education and 48% into work. 13% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

2.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

Beaminster School has a resourced provision for speech, language and communication needs: 10 places, 9 pupils on roll.

Beaminster School had 50 teachers in 2026, one for every 14 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical secondary school, at about one for every 17.

There is no railway, tram or Underground station within about three miles of Beaminster School.

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Beaminster School (w-bound), 140 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 9 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and other theft. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Dorset (25).

In 2024/25, Beaminster School issued 60 suspensions, 8.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.