The Blandford School, Blandford Forum

In its own words: "Welcome to The Blandford School - a vibrant, inclusive community dedicated to academic excellence and personal growth. This section provides key information about who we are, what we stand for, and how we're performing."

From the headteacher's welcome: "The Blandford School is a vibrant, warm, and successful community school set within beautiful grounds, in the heart of the Blandford community. We are proud to serve our local area by providing students with the very best educational start in life."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, rugby, basketball, badminton, dance, drama, choir, homework club and cheerleading.

Coming up: an open evening on Saturday 7 November 2026. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

In 2026, pupils at The Blandford School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 43.2, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 43.4 in Dorset and 47 across England.

37% 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 -0.33: pupils made below 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 28.2, against 48.2 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 20 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 25 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, History and Business Studies.

For September 2026 entry, 199 families put The Blandford School as their first choice and 231 named it as one of their preferences, for 202 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 186 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 83% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 37% to a further education college, 5% to an apprenticeship and 3% into work.

Of the 58 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 47% went on to university or other higher education, 3% to apprenticeships and 35% into work. 29% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

6.3% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 82 pupils (7.4%) received SEN support and 38 (3.4%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is autism.

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

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is The Blandford School (nw-bound), 110 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 98 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Dorset (25), as is usual near a town centre.

In 2024/25, The Blandford School issued 145 suspensions, 12.8 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 3 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to The Blandford School are Milldown CofE Academy (0.3 miles), Archbishop Wake Church of England Primary School (0.8 miles), Blandford St Mary Church of England Primary School (0.9 miles) and Durweston Church of England Primary School (1.8 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.