Mountjoy School

  • Special
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 4 to 19
Ofsted: Good

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

Eligible for free school meals38.4%

38.4%, 11.9 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language6.3%

6.3%, 15.3 percentage points below the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support0%

0%, 14.8 percentage points below the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan100%

100%, 94 percentage points above the England average of 6%.

Schools near Mountjoy School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Fiveways Special School11 milesOfsted: OutstandingNot published
Hill View School11 milesNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
3 Dimensions11 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 0.4
Fairmead School11 milesOfsted: Good0% met the expected standard
Chilton Bridge School13 milesReport card: Expected standard to strong standardNot published

School details

School type
Community special school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Age range
4 to 19
Gender
Mixed
Headteacher
Ms Gillian Howard
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.