Mountjoy School
Tunnel Road, Beaminster, DT8 3HBOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Mountjoy School is a special school in Beaminster for ages 4 to 19. It is one of the 179 schools in Dorset. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in November 2022.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 15 November 2022, report published 16 January 2023
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Sixth form provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 15 November 2022
'The child is at the centre of everything the school does'. This is the view shared by many parents and characterises what it is like to be a pupil at Mountjoy. Pupils love to attend and appreciate everything adults do for them. Pupils spoke in detail about the work adults do to ensure they become as independent as they can. Pupils enjoy their learning and aspire to become the best they can be. They talked with enthusiasm about the learning opportunities adults provide. Pupils appreciate the range of additional activities, such as orchestra and choir, which they attend with excitement. A wide range of trips and visitors to the school complement and enhance the curriculum. Adults have high expectations of behaviour. Pupils respond to this and behave well. They say that bullying is rare and if issues occur, staff sort them out quickly. Pupils say there is always an adult in school they can talk to. Leaders place a high priority on pupils' personal development. Adults know each pupil exceptionally well. They are quick to spot any changes in their well-being and take swift action. Pupils are safe and well looked after.
What the school should improve
- Some leaders have not had the opportunity to monitor the subjects they lead. This means they do not know if pupils are acquiring the knowledge and skills they need. Leaders need to ensure that subject leaders are able to check the quality of provision to assure themselves pupils are learning the intended curriculum.
Pupil numbers and mix
112 pupils on roll, with places for 110
Schools near Mountjoy School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiveways Special School | 11 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Not published |
| Hill View School | 11 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Not published |
| 3 Dimensions | 11 miles | No Ofsted inspection | Attainment 8: 0.4 |
| Fairmead School | 11 miles | Ofsted: Good | 0% met the expected standard |
| Chilton Bridge School | 13 miles | Report card: Expected standard to strong standard | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Community special school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 4 to 19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Headteacher
- Ms Gillian Howard
- Phone
- 01308861155
- Address
- Tunnel Road, Beaminster, DT8 3HB
- Local authority
- Dorset
- URN
- 113957
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.