SchoolFinder

Private schools in Dorset

Dorset has 21 independent schools listed on SchoolFinder, 15 of which hold a top inspection rating (ISI Excellent or Ofsted Outstanding). Day fees range from about £4,702 to £42,945 a year. The schools below are ranked using The Sunday Times Parent Power and the latest academic results — click any school for full fees, results, admissions and reviews.

21
Schools
£5–43k
Day fees
15
Top rated
13
Offer boarding

Private schools in Dorset, ranked

1
Canford School
Wimborne· Senior· Co-ed· Boarding· £43k/yr
42.5% A*–B
ISI Excellent
2
Clayesmore School
Blandford Forum· Senior· Co-ed· Boarding· £32k/yr
24.2% A*–B
Ofsted Not yet inspected
3
Leweston School
Sherborne· All-Through· Co-ed· Boarding· £26k/yr
23.8% A*–B
ISI Excellent
4
Talbot Heath School
Bournemouth· All-Through· Girls· Boarding
23.3% A*–B
ISI Good
5
Sherborne School
Sherborne· Senior· Boys· Boarding· £20k/yr
21.2% A*–B
ISI Excellent
6
Sherborne School for Girls
Sherborne· Senior· Girls· Boarding· £26k/yr
18.1% A*–B
Ofsted Not yet inspected
7
Bournemouth Collegiate School
Bournemouth· Senior· Co-ed· Boarding· £20k/yr
10% A*–B
ISI Standards partially met
8
Bryanston School
Blandford Forum· All-Through· Co-ed· Boarding· £41k/yr
9.6% A*–B
ISI Excellent
9
Kings Bournemouth
Bournemouth· Senior· Co-ed· Boarding
0% A*–B
Ofsted Good
10
Milton Abbey School
Blandford Forum· Senior· Co-ed· Boarding· £34k/yr
0% A*–B
ISI Excellent
11
Bournemouth Collegiate Preparatory School
Poole· Prep· Co-ed· £16k/yr
ISI Excellent
12
Castle Court School
· Prep· Co-ed· £16k/yr
ISI Excellent
13
Dumpton School
Wimborne· Prep· Co-ed· £23k/yr
ISI Excellent
14
Hanford School
Blandford Forum· Prep· Girls· Boarding· £20k/yr
ISI Excellent
15
Park School
Bournemouth· Prep· Co-ed· £16k/yr
ISI Excellent
16
Port Regis Preparatory School
Shaftesbury· Prep· Co-ed· Boarding· £26k/yr
ISI Excellent
17
Sherborne Preparatory School
Sherborne· Prep· Co-ed· Boarding· £20k/yr
ISI Excellent
18
St Martin's School
Bournemouth· Prep· Co-ed· £10k/yr
ISI Excellent
19
Sunninghill Preparatory School
Dorchester· Prep· Co-ed· £22k/yr
ISI Excellent
20
Talbot House School
Bournemouth· Prep· Co-ed· £11k/yr
Ofsted Not yet inspected
21
Yarrells Preparatory School
Poole· Prep· Co-ed· £5k/yr
ISI Excellent

Frequently asked questions

How many independent schools are there in Dorset?

SchoolFinder lists 21 independent schools in Dorset, including 13 that offer boarding.

What are the best private schools in Dorset?

Top-ranked independent schools in Dorset include Canford School, Clayesmore School, Leweston School. Rankings are based on academic results and Parent Power; the right school also depends on your child’s stage, location and needs.

How much are private school fees in Dorset?

Annual day fees for the independent schools in Dorset range from roughly £4,702 to £42,945. Boarding fees are higher. Many schools offer bursaries and scholarships.

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