The Blandford School is a secondary school in Blandford Forum, serving pupils aged 11 to 18. The school is a voluntary controlled school and operates as a mixed school. It follows a non-selective admissions policy. It has a none religious character. The school also offers a sixth form, allowing students to continue into post-16 education on site.
The Blandford School currently has around 1135 pupils on roll, which is about 73% of its capacity. The gender split is relatively balanced, with approximately 51.2% boys and 48.8% girls. Around 20.5% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, which gives an indication of the socio-economic mix. The student population reflects a mixed community across different backgrounds and needs.
Overall absence at the school is 9.3%. Persistent absence is recorded at 24%.
The majority of pupils are from a white british background (91.5%).
At its latest Ofsted inspection, the school was rated Good. This suggests the school is performing well overall. Safeguarding was judged to be effective, which is a key consideration for many parents.
Around 96% of pupils move on to sustained destinations after Year 11. Most continue into education (82%) , including 53% who stay in school sixth forms and 27% progressing to further education , while 7% enter apprenticeships .
| Address: | Milldown Road, Blandford Forum, DT11 7SQ |
| Website: | http://www.blandfordschool.org.uk |
| Telephone: | 01258451121 |
| School Type: | Voluntary controlled school |
| Education phase: | Secondary |
| Local authority: | Dorset |
| Headteacher / Principal: | Mr Alan Jones |
| Religious character: | None |
| Admissions policy: | Non-selective |
| Unique reference: | 113888 |
Ofsted inspection date: 23/04/2024
Safeguarding is effective
| Age Range: | 11 - 18 |
| Gender: | Mixed |
| School Capacity: | 1557 |
| Number of Pupils: | 1135 |
| Number of Boys: | 581 |
| Number of Girls: | 554 |
| School | England state-funded schools: | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall absence: | 9.3% | 4% |
| Persistent absence: | 24% | 8.2% |
| White British | 91.50% | 1039 |
| Other White | 3.00% | 34 |
| Other Asian | 1.40% | 16 |
| White and Asian | 1.10% | 13 |
| Indian | 0.90% | 10 |
| Gypsy/Roma | 0.40% | 4 |
| Other Mixed | 0.40% | 4 |
| Irish | 0.30% | 3 |
| Unclassified | 0.30% | 3 |
| White and Black African | 0.20% | 2 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.20% | 2 |
| Other Black | 0.20% | 2 |
| Other (any other ethnic group) | 0.20% | 2 |
| African | 0.10% | 1 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 0.00% | 0 |
| Pakistani | 0.00% | 0 |
| Irish Traveller (Traveller of Irish heritage) | 0.00% | 0 |
| Chinese | 0.00% | 0 |
| Caribbean | 0.00% | 0 |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milldown CofE Academy Milldown Road , DT11 7SN | 3out of 4 | 501 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Milldown Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary School Milldown Road , DT11 7SN | - not rated | 501 yd | Voluntary controlled school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Archbishop Wake Church of England Primary School Black Lane , DT11 8SW | - not rated | 1,335 yd | Voluntary aided school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Archbishop Wake Church of England Primary School Black Lane , DT11 8SW | 3out of 4 | 1,335 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Blandford St Mary Church of England Primary School Birch Avenue , Blandford St Mary DT11 9QD | 3out of 4 | 1,632 yd | Academy converter | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Blandford School Milldown Road , DT11 7SQ | 3out of 4 | 0 yd | Voluntary controlled school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milldown Church of England Middle School Milldown Road , DT11 7SN | - not rated | 313 yd | Voluntary controlled school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| St Leonard's School Black Lane , DT11 8SW | - not rated | 1,280 yd | Community school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Ofsted Overall Effectiveness | Distance | Establishment Type | Has Nursery Classes | Gender | More Info | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Forum Centre The Forum Centre , Park Road DT11 7BX | 3out of 4 | 474 yd | Pupil referral unit | Not Applicable | Mixed | More About School |
| Priory Blandford Camhs Shottsford House , Heddington Drive DT11 7HX | - not rated | 534 yd | Other independent school | No | Mixed | More About School |
| Bryanston School Bryanston , DT11 0PX | - not rated | 1,299 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
| Knighton House School Durweston , DT11 0PY | - not rated | 2,769 yd | Other independent school | Yes | Mixed | More About School |
School statistics for this postcode are based on Ofsted rankings.