What ages does Dorchester Learning Centre teach?

Dorchester Learning Centre teaches children aged 5 to 18. It is a special school in Dorchester.

Who is the headteacher of Dorchester Learning Centre?

The headteacher of Dorchester Learning Centre is Mr David Dinsmore, as recorded in the Department for Education's register of schools.

Has Dorchester Learning Centre been inspected?

Ofsted has inspected Dorchester Learning Centre, and its latest judgement is set out in the inspection section on this page, with the framework and the date it was made.

How many pupils are at Dorchester Learning Centre?

Dorchester Learning Centre has 54 pupils on roll, teaching children aged 5 to 18.

Is Dorchester Learning Centre full?

Dorchester Learning Centre has capacity for 59 pupils and 54 on roll (92%), so it has space against its published capacity. Places are allocated through the local authority's admissions process, so capacity alone does not tell you whether a place is available.

Is Dorchester Learning Centre a faith school?

No. Dorchester Learning Centre has no designated religious character.

Does Dorchester Learning Centre publish exam results?

OfferDay shows exam results for a school only where the Department for Education has published them, and none are shown for Dorchester Learning Centre. That is usual for infant, nursery, special and independent schools, and for schools without recent published results.

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Dorchester Learning Centre

Dorchester Learning Centre

Monkton Park, Winterborne Monkton, Dorchester, DT2 9PS

Phase: Local authority maintained schools
School type: Pupil referral unit
Ages: 5 to 18
Gender: Mixed
Headteacher: Mr David Dinsmore
Constituency: West Dorset
Setting: Smaller rural: Further from a major town or city
Capacity: 59
Pupils on roll: 54
URN: 130316
Local authority: Dorset
Website: School website
Telephone: 01305261213

About this school

Dorchester Learning Centre is a special school in Dorchester. It teaches children aged 5 to 18 and has 54 pupils on roll.

Ofsted has inspected Dorchester Learning Centre, and its latest judgement is set out below. Where the Department for Education has published them, its results and pupil characteristics appear below. Numbers and a report only go so far, so visit in person before you apply.

Ofsted judgement

England: previous inspection framework

Inspected 25 May 2022 · report published 3 July 2022

Good

Overall judgement at the last full inspection

This inspection took place under the previous framework, which gave a single overall grade. Ofsted now publishes report cards instead, so newer inspections of other schools will look different. How Ofsted report cards work

Quality of education: Good
Behaviour and attitudes: Good
Personal development: Good
Leadership and management: Good
Safeguarding: Effective

Read the full report on Ofsted's website

Trends over time

How Dorchester Learning Centre has moved over recent years against the local and national picture. Every figure is shown in the table beneath its chart.

Pupils on roll

Year	This school
2022/23	38
2023/24	42
2024/25	53

School census, spring count each academic year.

School context

From the 2024/25 school census and absence figures.

Free school meals (last 6 years): 66.04%
English as an additional language: 0%

Location

Nearby schools

Sunninghill Preparatory School
Independent schools · Dorchester

1.6 miles
Westfield Arts College
Special schools · Weymouth

3.3 miles
Wyvern Academy
Academies · Weymouth

3.7 miles
Arbour House School
Special schools

5.0 miles
Kingfisher School
Special schools · Weymouth

5.5 miles

Other schools in Dorchester

Employ My Ability (EMA) Ltd Other types
Broadmayne First School Primary
Buckland Newton Church of England Primary School Primary
Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School Primary
Cheselbourne Village School Primary
Damers First School Primary
Frome Valley CofE First School Primary
Maiden Newton, Greenford Church of England Primary School Primary
Manor Park Church of England First School Primary
Piddle Valley Church of England First School Primary
Puddletown Church of England First School Primary
St Mary's Catholic First School, Dorchester Primary

Common questions

What ages does Dorchester Learning Centre teach?: Dorchester Learning Centre teaches children aged 5 to 18. It is a special school in Dorchester.
Who is the headteacher of Dorchester Learning Centre?: The headteacher of Dorchester Learning Centre is Mr David Dinsmore, as recorded in the Department for Education's register of schools.
Has Dorchester Learning Centre been inspected?: Ofsted has inspected Dorchester Learning Centre, and its latest judgement is set out in the inspection section on this page, with the framework and the date it was made.
How many pupils are at Dorchester Learning Centre?: Dorchester Learning Centre has 54 pupils on roll, teaching children aged 5 to 18.
Is Dorchester Learning Centre full?: Dorchester Learning Centre has capacity for 59 pupils and 54 on roll (92%), so it has space against its published capacity. Places are allocated through the local authority's admissions process, so capacity alone does not tell you whether a place is available.
Is Dorchester Learning Centre a faith school?: No. Dorchester Learning Centre has no designated religious character.
Does Dorchester Learning Centre publish exam results?: OfferDay shows exam results for a school only where the Department for Education has published them, and none are shown for Dorchester Learning Centre. That is usual for infant, nursery, special and independent schools, and for schools without recent published results.

School details come from the Department for Education's Get Information About Schools register. Inspection outcomes come from Ofsted, and exam results from the Department for Education's school performance service. This page was last updated on 30 June 2026.