Dorset Studio School

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About Dorset Studio School


Name Dorset Studio School
Website http://dorsetstudioschool.co.uk/
Inspections
Ofsted Inspections
Mr Paul Green
Address Kingston Maurward, Dorchester, DT2 8PX
Phone Number 01305443600
Phase Academy
Type Studio schools
Age Range 11-16
Religious Character None
Gender Mixed
Number of Pupils 357
Local Authority Dorset
Highlights from Latest Inspection

Summary of key findings for parents and pupils

This is a good school Trustees, governors and school leaders have created a school with a unique character.

They have ensured that the school's land-based specialism is central to its character and curriculum. As a result, pupils are motivated by the excellent opportunities and facilities and keen to do well. Pupils make good progress overall.

Many join the school with relatively low starting points in English and mathematics but catch up well as a result of good teaching. Disadvantaged pupils and pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities do well. This is because teachers keep a close watch on the progress they make as individuals and help ...them when they struggle.

Pupils are enthusiastic about their land-based and animal care studies. They respond eagerly to their teachers. As a result, pupils make very good progress in these subjects.

Leaders have made it a priority to develop the confidence and self-esteem of pupils as they advance through the school. Consequently, pupils who enter in Year 9 with little self-confidence develop into articulate young men and women. Pupils behave well around the site and in lessons.

They act sensibly and responsibly around the farm equipment and animals that are central to school life. The headteacher leads the school with much commitment and skill. She communicates her vision and expectations clearly and both staff and pupils respond well.

Her understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the school is accurate and her vision and improvement strategy are ambitious but pragmatic. The school's strong and effective partnership with its two sponsors, a local training school and a land-based college of further education, is a key factor in the success of the school. There is too much variation in the quality of teaching and learning in the curriculum.

English is a strength of the school. Pupils make less progress in geography and science. Pupils are not always given work that challenges them.

When they are challenged, for example in English, they make good progress. However, there are not enough opportunities across other parts of the curriculum to extend pupils fully. Senior staff continue to lead improvements in teaching, learning and assessment.

They have set expectations of teachers and are training them appropriately. However, there is more to do to ensure that all teaching is as good as the best. The development of middle leaders to support this improvement is at an early stage.

Information about this school

The school is much smaller than the average secondary school. The school is sponsored by The Thomas Hardye School, an outstanding training school, and Kingston Maurward College, which specialises in land-based studies. The school shares a campus with Kingston Maurward College.

The school expanded to include a sixth form provision in September 2017. It had only just opened at the time of the inspection and therefore was not inspected. The proportion of pupils who have special educational needs and/or disabilities is well above the national average.

The proportion of pupils supported by pupil premium funding is broadly in line with the national average. The school meets requirements on the publication of specified information on its website. The school complies with Department for Education guidance on what academies should publish.


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