The Department for Education (DfE) has released its annual secondary school performance tables for 2024/25.
This shows how well schools across England performed at the end of Key Stage 4, and includes performance measures for every secondary school in the country.
A marker to recognise a school’s performance is its Attainment 8 score, which has a maximum score of 90.
Dorset schools were ranked by their Attainment 8 score (Image: Getty Images)
This is based on how well pupils in a school have performed in up to eight qualifications.
These include English, maths, three English Baccalaureate qualifications including sciences, computer science, history, geography, and languages, and three other additional approved qualifications.
Attainment measures show how pupils have performed in tests and assessments, but do not take pupils’ starting points into account.
Dorset’s most improved state secondary schools revealed
Dorset schools that were included in the list were:
Academy – government-funded but run by an academy trust rather than a local authority
Maintained school – government-funded and run by a local authority
Privately-funded independent schools and special schools, which are schools that focus on educating pupils with special educational needs, have not been included in the performance table.
The most improved state secondary school in the county was Dorset Studio School, which is located close to Stinsford near Dorchester.
It saw an increase in its Attainment 8 score by 5 points, going up from 29.1 in 2024 to 34.1 in 2025.
Dorset Studio School offers “mainstream academic provision with a land-based specialism”.
Students are taught practical skills for careers such as equine care, veterinary nursing, farming, rural craft, environmental and countryside management and other fields.
Sturminster Newton High School was the second most improved state secondary school, going up 3.9 points from 42.2 in 2024 to 46.1 in 2025.
The school’s website shares that it emphasises “the development of good organisational, communication, ICT and problem-solving skills”.
Its ethos is to have pupils leave the school as “confident individuals” with “the necessary life skills for further success at university, college or in employment”.
Sturminster Newton High School’s Head of School, Michael Motteram was proud of the improvement in their Attainment 8 score (Image: Sturminster Newton High School)
Discussing the achievement, head of school Michael Motteram said everyone at the school was “incredibly proud”.
He added: “Seeing such a significant improvement in our Attainment 8 score is a reflection of the hard work and commitment shown by our students, the unwavering support of their families, and the dedication of our exceptional staff.
“At SNHS, we place our values of respect, responsibility and resilience at the heart of everything we do.
“These values shape our culture, our relationships, and the way we approach learning every single day. They are also what make this community so special.
“This recognition is the collective effort of a school and wider community that believes deeply in ambition, belonging, and working together.
“We are delighted to see that effort reflected in the data, and we are determined to build on this momentum.
“There is so much more we want to achieve for our young people, and we will continue striving to ensure that every student at Sturminster Newton High School has the opportunity to thrive.”
How would you rate your child’s school? Let us know in the comments.