Dorset Council

UK local authority in South West, responsible for 179 schools.

Region

South West

Type

Unitary Authority

LA Code

838

Schools

179 (119 primary, 28 secondary, 1 all-through, 11 special, 4 PRU/AP)

Pupils

51,332

Population

391,036 (65,765 aged 0-17)

Academisation

113 academies, 41 LA-maintained (73.4% academised)

Multi-academy trusts

15 — largest: INITIO LEARNING TRUST (17 schools)

Deprivation (IMD 2019)

Rank 120 of 151 (1 = most deprived)

KS2 2024/25

57% met expected standard, 7% higher standard

KS4 2024/25

Attainment 8: 43.2, grade 5+ in English & maths: 40.7%

Inspectorate

Ofsted

Director of Education

Paul Dempsey

Website

www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk

Telephone

01305 221000

Sources: DfE KS2 attainment, 2024/25 revised · DfE KS4 performance, 2024/25 revised · GIAS (DfE), Aug 2026 · ONS mid-2025 population estimates · IMD 2019, rank of average score, 1 = most deprived of 151 upper-tier LAs