What did Ofsted judge The Swanage School's overall effectiveness to be?

Ofsted judged The Swanage School's overall effectiveness as Good at its inspection in November 2023, on Ofsted's own scale.

How many pupils attend The Swanage School?

The Swanage School has 349 pupils on roll.

What ages does The Swanage School take?

The Swanage School admits pupils aged 11 to 16.

Where is The Swanage School located?

The Swanage School is located in Swanage, BH19 2PH, Dorset.

How do I apply to The Swanage School?

The Swanage School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.

How are Year 7 places decided at The Swanage School?

When The Swanage School has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after children — Children who are in the care of a local authority. Specifically this means a 'looked after child' or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, residence, or special guardianship order; 2. Catchment area — Children who live within the school's defined catchment area (see above); 3. Sibling outside catchment — Children who do not live within the school's catchment area but will have a sibling at the school at the time of admission, and 1 further criteria. The school offers 72 places at this entry point. Tie-break: In the event that two applicants have equal weighting despite the governing body applying the criteria above, places will be allocated by random allocation, and overseen by a person independent of the school.

What is the largest ethnic background at The Swanage School?

According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 86% of pupils at The Swanage School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

The Swanage School: Ofsted, Results & Catchment 2026

How places are decided at The Swanage School

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked after children — Children who are in the care of a local authority. Specifically this means a 'looked after child' or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, residence, or special guardianship order.
2Catchment area — Children who live within the school's defined catchment area (see above).
3Sibling outside catchment — Children who do not live within the school's catchment area but will have a sibling at the school at the time of admission.
4Outside catchment — Children outside the defined catchment area.

If two applications tie: In the event that two applicants have equal weighting despite the governing body applying the criteria above, places will be allocated by random allocation, and overseen by a person independent of the school.

Within each category above, places will be allocated on the basis of the child's closeness to the school using straight line distance between the main entrance of the home address and the main entrance of the school building.

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.

The Swanage School: key facts

What did Ofsted judge The Swanage School's overall effectiveness to be?: Ofsted judged The Swanage School's overall effectiveness as Good at its inspection in November 2023, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend The Swanage School?: The Swanage School has 349 pupils on roll.
What ages does The Swanage School take?: The Swanage School admits pupils aged 11 to 16.
Where is The Swanage School located?: The Swanage School is located in Swanage, BH19 2PH, Dorset.
How do I apply to The Swanage School?: The Swanage School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.
How are Year 7 places decided at The Swanage School?: When The Swanage School has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after children — Children who are in the care of a local authority. Specifically this means a 'looked after child' or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, residence, or special guardianship order; 2. Catchment area — Children who live within the school's defined catchment area (see above); 3. Sibling outside catchment — Children who do not live within the school's catchment area but will have a sibling at the school at the time of admission, and 1 further criteria. The school offers 72 places at this entry point. Tie-break: In the event that two applicants have equal weighting despite the governing body applying the criteria above, places will be allocated by random allocation, and overseen by a person independent of the school.
What is the largest ethnic background at The Swanage School?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 86% of pupils at The Swanage School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

League tables in Dorset Compare Dorset schools Best secondary schools in Dorset Dorset hub All Dorset schools Schools on map Admissions checker Choosing sixth form guide Catchment areas guide What to ask on a visit

Same phase, ranked by distance and how closely they match.

Interested in this school?Register interest and we'll pass your details on if it joins School Atlas.Register interest

This school hasn't claimed its profile yet, so it can't receive enquiries here. Leave your details and we'll pass them on if the school joins School Atlas.

How places are decided at The Swanage School

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked after children — Children who are in the care of a local authority. Specifically this means a 'looked after child' or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, residence, or special guardianship order.
2Catchment area — Children who live within the school's defined catchment area (see above).
3Sibling outside catchment — Children who do not live within the school's catchment area but will have a sibling at the school at the time of admission.
4Outside catchment — Children outside the defined catchment area.

The Swanage School: key facts

What did Ofsted judge The Swanage School's overall effectiveness to be?: Ofsted judged The Swanage School's overall effectiveness as Good at its inspection in November 2023, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend The Swanage School?: The Swanage School has 349 pupils on roll.
What ages does The Swanage School take?: The Swanage School admits pupils aged 11 to 16.
Where is The Swanage School located?: The Swanage School is located in Swanage, BH19 2PH, Dorset.
How do I apply to The Swanage School?: The Swanage School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.
How are Year 7 places decided at The Swanage School?: When The Swanage School has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after children — Children who are in the care of a local authority. Specifically this means a 'looked after child' or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, residence, or special guardianship order; 2. Catchment area — Children who live within the school's defined catchment area (see above); 3. Sibling outside catchment — Children who do not live within the school's catchment area but will have a sibling at the school at the time of admission, and 1 further criteria. The school offers 72 places at this entry point. Tie-break: In the event that two applicants have equal weighting despite the governing body applying the criteria above, places will be allocated by random allocation, and overseen by a person independent of the school.
What is the largest ethnic background at The Swanage School?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 86% of pupils at The Swanage School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Same phase, ranked by distance and how closely they match.

The Swanage School

How places are decided at The Swanage School

The Swanage School: key facts

Similar schools nearby

The Swanage School

How places are decided at The Swanage School

The Swanage School: key facts

Similar schools nearby