The Swanage School
Ofsted
Official inspection reports and grades
Inspected 7 November 2023
Results
Compared with the local authority and England
KS4 Results
Attainment and progress
Attainment 8 scores a pupil's best 8 GCSE results, out of about 90. Progress 8 compares those results with pupils who started secondary school at the same level: 0 is average.
| Measure | School | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment 8 score | 36.9 | 43.2 | 46.1 |
GCSE results
Grade 4 is a standard pass; grade 5 is a strong pass.
| Measure | School | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 20% | 41% | 45% |
| Grade 4 or above in English and maths | 38% | 62% | 65% |
| 5 or more GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English and maths | 33% | 57% | 60% |
English Baccalaureate
The EBacc is English, maths, science, a language, and history or geography. It is a set of subjects rather than a qualification.
| Measure | School | Dorset | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entering the EBacc | 7% | 38% | 41% |
| EBacc average point score | 3.1 | 3.8 | 4.1 |
Based on 69 pupils at the end of key stage 4.
Catchment area
The Swanage School's catchment area comes from its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, which decide who is offered a place when more children apply than there are places. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance from home or a catchment boundary, and the school's admissions policy says which it uses. Living nearby does not guarantee a place, and how far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
The Swanage School is in Dorset council's area. Check its admissions booklet for how far away places went in recent years. For a Year 7 place, apply through the council where you live by 31 October in your child's Year 6.
Pupils and staff
Pupils
- Pupils
- 339
- Capacity
- 360
- Girls / boys
- 52% / 48%
- Free school meals
- 32%
Staff
- Teachers (FTE)
- 22.6
- Teaching assistants (FTE)
- 7.1
- Leadership (FTE)
- 2
- Part-time teachers
- 40%
School workforce census, 2025/26.
Parent View
Ofsted’s survey of parents at this school
86%
of parents would recommend this school to another parent
96 responses up to 2 September 2024 · 28% response rate
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Don’t know
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
My child is happy at this school.
89% agreeMy child feels safe at this school.
90% agreeThe school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.
80% agreeMy child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.
52% agreeThe school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.
68% agree
Questions about The Swanage School
What is The Swanage School's Ofsted rating?
The Swanage School was graded Good at its last Ofsted inspection, on 7 November 2023.
How do I apply for a place at The Swanage School?
Apply through the council where you live by 31 October in your child's Year 6, for a place starting the following September. You apply to your home council even if The Swanage School is in another council's area, and can usually list between 3 and 6 schools in order of preference. Offers are sent on 1 March, or the next working day.
What is the catchment area for The Swanage School?
The Swanage School's catchment area comes from its admission criteria, set by its academy trust, which decide who is offered a place when more children apply than there are places. Children in care or adopted from care come first by law. Most schools put brothers and sisters of current pupils next, then distance from home or a catchment boundary, and the school's admissions policy says which it uses. Living nearby does not guarantee a place, and how far away the last place went changes every year, depending on who applies.
How many pupils are at The Swanage School?
The Swanage School had 339 pupils aged 11 to 16 at the latest school census. Its official capacity is 360. It is a mixed school with no sixth form, so students move on at 16.
Nearby secondary schools
The Cornerstone Academy
Academy sponsor led
7.3 miles away
Poole High School
Academy converter
7.9 miles away
The Purbeck School
Academy converter
7.9 miles away
St Edward's Roman Catholic/Church of England School, Poole
Voluntary aided school
8.9 miles away
Livingstone Academy Bournemouth
Free schools
9.3 miles away