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Schools in Dorset

Choose a postcode district for school lists, Ofsted, distance filters, an interactive map, and local area statistics.

19 postcode districts in Dorset. 161 state-funded schools listed.

Using School Checker in Dorset

This page lists 19 postcode districts in Dorset. School Checker groups schools by outward postcode (for example WF2 or N1), not by parish or ward. Open a district to see every state-funded school we list, with Ofsted, attainment, attendance, and local context on one screen.

Across Dorset we currently show 161 state-funded schools in 19 districts (122 primary, 28 secondary, 11 other phase). These figures come from official government school data and we update them regularly.

Districts with the most schools in Dorset right now include BH21 (21 schools), DT2 (15 schools), DT11 (13 schools). Smaller outward codes can still be useful if you are comparing streets near a boundary.

Dorset runs state school admissions for its area. Rules, catchment definitions, and tie-breakers are set locally and can change each year.

  • 122Primary
  • 28Secondary
  • 11Other
  • 19Districts with schools

Postcode districts in Dorset

Click a postcode district to open schools, map, distance filters, and local stats. Each card is one area and the whole card is clickable.

Common questions about schools in Dorset

How many schools does School Checker list in Dorset?
We list 161 state-funded schools across 19 postcode districts in Dorset (122 primary, 28 secondary, 11 other phase). Counts change when schools open, close, or change phase.
How do school admissions work in Dorset?
Dorset runs state school admissions for its area. Rules, catchment definitions, and tie-breakers are set locally and can change each year. School Checker shows historic demand indicators on school cards where published. They are not a guarantee of a place. Always read the Dorset admissions booklet and each school's oversubscription criteria.
What is a postcode district on this page?
A postcode district is the outward part of a postcode (the letters and numbers before the space, such as WF2). Dorset is split into 19 districts on School Checker. Each district page lists schools whose postcode falls in that outward code, plus distance from your home postcode when you add one.
How should I use School Checker to research schools in Dorset?
Start with the district closest to your home (busy districts here include BH21 (21 schools), DT2 (15 schools), DT11 (13 schools)). Add your full postcode on the district page for straight-line distances and map pins. Shortlist schools you like, then open Compare for side-by-side figures and a CSV download. Visit schools and confirm admissions rules with Dorset before you apply.
Where does the data for Dorset schools come from?
School names, addresses, and governance come from the government school register. Ofsted publishes inspection outcomes. The Department for Education publishes attendance, attainment, pupil characteristics, and SEN figures. Local context rows (crime, census, house prices) are labelled by geography on each district page. See our methodology page for more detail and how to report a likely error with a school URN.