Sturminster Newton High School

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 21 April 2026

Pupils enjoy being part of the Sturminster Newton High School community. Pupils feel safe in school. They receive support from staff when they need it and are well cared for. Pupils know who to turn to if they need help. Pupils behave well in lessons and are generally keen to learn. Pupils, including students in the sixth form, appreciate the small school community where they have respectful working relationships with staff. Older pupils take pride in helping and giving advice to their younger friends. Sixth-form students act as positive role models for younger pupils, showing self-discipline and maturity. Pupils embrace the school’s values of respect, responsibility and resilience. They display these in their behaviour. Pupils respect differences between people. They typically get along well with each other and bullying is uncommon. On the rare occasions it does occur, pupils are confident that staff take it seriously and resolve it quickly. Not all pupils attend regularly. However, increasingly, they understand that it is important to do so. They feel a sense of belonging, and as a result more pupils are starting to attend school regularly. Most pupils enjoy their learning. They study a curriculum that meets their needs, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Overall, pupils achieve in line with their peers nationally. Pupils with SEND and disadvantaged pupils are supported effectively to progress well through the curriculum. Pupils develop their confidence through a wide variety of activities. They go on a range of educational visits. These include trips to residential centres, theatres, museums and universities and visits overseas. Pupils enjoy taking part in experiences such as drama productions, sports and the Ten Tors Challenge. They relish taking on leadership roles, such as on the school council, and taking part in charity work to support the local community. Sixth-form students enjoy volunteering and work experience. These activities foster their sense of responsibility. Pupils leave school well prepared for the next stage of their education.

What the school should improve

• Leaders should ensure that teaching consistently identifies and removes barriers to learning for all pupils, so they know more and remember more over time.
• Leaders should ensure highly effective teaching is consistently embedded across all subjects, including post-16, so that all pupils achieve very well.
• Leaders should continue to foster a sense of belonging for pupils and remove barriers so that all pupils attend well.

Read the full Ofsted report (opens in a new tab)