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Middle schools

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Original poster

Middle schools in Dorchester

8 replies

66piglets · 04/05/2020 17:40

Hi Can anyone give me their view, please, on middle schools in Dorchester. I m looking to relocate to Dorset as soon as the lockdown eases and we can begin viewing again. My daughter is due to start year 7 in September.
I know the secondary school there has glowing reports and results but the middle schools seem less so .......
Also how is Dorchester for new starts please - any experience?

OP posts:
reefedsail · 04/05/2020 17:48

I don't know the middle schools (just bumping for you really). I don't think you'll regret the move though, the area is great.

Do you want to live in Dorch or out in a village? As your DD will only be in the middle school for 2 years, maybe don't worry about which one too much (I think they are all OK) and concentrate on where you want to live. I think the traffic on the east side can be an issue and the roundabout directly to the south on the A35 is not clear at the best of times and gridlocked through caravan season.

reefedsail · 04/05/2020 17:53

I've just looked at a couple of Ofsteds.. maybe they are not all OK!! I did know somebody who had a child at Puddletown and they were very happy with it.

Does it have to be Dorch or could you go a bit further north and get into the catchment for the Gryphon?

Original poster
66piglets · 04/05/2020 18:01

Thanks for replyingSmile The Gryphon? Hmm off to look at that.

No it doesnt have to be Dorchester. Looking for quality of life combined with great school - we ve moved ALOT over the last decade so are looking for somewhere we would be happy to really settle and make some forever friends - access to the coast is attractive as where we live now traffic and distance means we never get there ..... we also love the countryside .... but have a teen and a preteen so thinking somewhere not too isolated.

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reefedsail · 04/05/2020 18:09

Sherborne is good. You can be on the beach in Weymouth or Studland in an hour.

rainydogday · 14/05/2020 23:46

I have two at Puddletown middle. We have found it wonderful. I think like most schools they have a few niggles. Not had much to do with the headmaster but the teachers have been good, always kind and approachable and the kids generally a good bunch. They feed in from all the smaller villages. It feeds into Thomas Hardys which is fantastic.

rainydogday · 14/05/2020 23:48

Ps Puddletown and the Piddle Valley is also a lovely place to live! Great forest for waking and biking and straight up onto the dual carriage way to poole and Bournemouth and Dorchester 10 mins the other way. Good luck with your move

Cmini · 01/06/2020 10:04

Puddletown is a great middle school. St Osmund's had an unfortunate Ofsted but the monitoring visit report was much more positive. It is definitely on the up and has a great head leading the change. It has also just joined a MAT with Thomas Hardye's. As a teacher and parent I would say visit the schools when you can and get a feel for them. You'll get much more from that than an Ofsted report.

Sitegirl · 10/06/2021 14:05

I know this is an old thread, but I was wondering if anyone had first hand experience of either St. Osmands or DCH. Ive got to choose one soon and haven't heard great things about either

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