Schools in Dorchester
There are 24 schools in Dorchester on the Department for Education's official Get Information about Schools register, including 16 primary and 5 secondary schools, under Dorset local authority. Every name links to the school's official record (data retrieved 5 June 2026).
A register, not an admissions guide
Primary schools in Dorchester (16)
- Broadmayne First SchoolCommunity school · DT2 8PH
- Buckland Newton Church of England Primary SchoolAcademy converter · DT2 7BY
- Cerne Abbas CofE VC First SchoolVoluntary controlled school · DT2 7LA
- Cheselbourne Village SchoolCommunity school · DT2 7NT
- Damers First SchoolAcademy converter · DT1 3DF
- Frome Valley CofE First SchoolAcademy converter · DT2 8WR
- Maiden Newton, Greenford Church of England Primary SchoolVoluntary controlled school · DT2 0AX
- Manor Park Church of England First SchoolAcademy sponsor led · DT1 2BH
- Piddle Valley Church of England First SchoolAcademy converter · DT2 7QL
- Puddletown Church of England First SchoolAcademy converter · DT2 8FZ
- St Mary's Catholic First School, DorchesterAcademy converter · DT1 2DD
- St Mary's Church of England First School, CharminsterAcademy converter · DT2 9RD
- Sticklands Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary SchoolVoluntary aided school · DT2 0JP
- The Prince of Wales SchoolCommunity school · DT1 2HH
- Thorner's Church of England School, Litton CheneyVoluntary aided school · DT2 9AU
- Winterbourne Valley Church of England Aided First SchoolVoluntary aided school · DT2 9LW
Secondary schools in Dorchester (5)
- Dorchester Middle SchoolAcademy converter · DT1 2HS
- Dorset Studio SchoolStudio schools · DT2 8PX
- St Mary's Church of England Middle School, PuddletownAcademy converter · DT2 8SA
- St Osmund's Church of England Middle SchoolAcademy converter · DT1 2DZ
- The Thomas Hardye SchoolAcademy converter · DT1 2ET
Other phases in Dorchester (3)
- Dorchester Learning CentrePupil referral unit · DT2 9PS
- Employ My Ability (EMA) LtdSpecial post 16 institution · DT2 8RH
- Sunninghill Preparatory SchoolOther independent school · DT1 1EB
Schools in nearby towns
Families comparing areas around Dorchester often look at these places too.
Frequently asked questions
How many schools are there in Dorchester?
The Department for Education's official Get Information about Schools register lists 24 open schools with a Dorchester address (as of 5 June 2026), including 16 primary and 5 secondary schools. Schools open, close and convert over time, so always check the official record for the latest position.
Does living in Dorchester guarantee a place at these schools?
No. Each school's admissions are governed by its own policy and the local authority's coordinated process. Distance is often a tie-breaker behind criteria like siblings, faith and catchment, so being nearby helps but never guarantees a place. Always check the school's current admissions policy and last year's cut-off distance.
Where does this list come from?
Every school on this page comes from the Department for Education's official Get Information about Schools register, retrieved on 5 June 2026. Each name links to the school's official record, which is the place to verify details before relying on them.
How do I check the distance from a home to a school in Dorchester?
Use our free Find Schools Near a Postcode tool to see every school within a chosen radius of a postcode, or the School Distance Calculator to measure a specific home-to-school distance. Both use straight-line distance, which is a planning aid — local authorities may measure differently for admissions.