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About us:

Sturminster Newton High School is a mixed 11-18 comprehensive school with a good reputation as a small, community focussed school serving a wide rural catchment area. We are extremely proud of our school where we set high standards for academic and personal achievement and we value the size of our school community which allows staff and students know one another and students to be treated and valued as individuals.

As a small school based in Dorset, one of our strengths is that we know our students well and are able to help them succeed on a personal level. The school promotes a happy and purposeful teaching environment, where all are supported and encouraged to do their best.

The school promotes a happy and purposeful teaching environment, where all are supported and encouraged to do their best. “pupils are now making better progress than they have in previous years.” Ofsted 2018. In September 2021 the school introduced a broad enrichment programme, designed to compensate for missed opportunities during the pandemic, where we offer a variety of academic, creative, sporting and wellbeing activities run by the school and local community.

Young people leaving this school will be confident individuals with the necessary ‘life’ skills for further success at university, college or in employment. We emphasise the development of good organisational, communication, ICT and problem-solving skills, thus developing young people who can use their initiative and relate well to others. “There is a strong moral commitment to ensuring all pupils receive a broad range of opportunities in Key Stage 3.” Ofsted 2018. In return, we expect good manners, a respect for the school and a positive attitude towards learning.

Our aim is to build upon the existing standards and successes and develop all aspects of school life whilst educating all students in the widest sense academically, emotionally and socially working in partnership with parents we strive to provide students with a broad, balanced and supportive education. “The school’s approach is ensuring that there is a rigorous and appropriate academic curriculum for all pupils that will help to prepare them for the next stage in their education” Ofsted 2018

In 2018 the school was inspected with the new OFSTED framework and judged securely ‘good’ and GCSE and A level results are strong. “Leadership is successfully combining the school’s long standing caring and compassionate ethos with a greater focus on ensuring that pupil achieve all they are capable of.” Ofsted 2018

The local area:

The school is situated on the edge of the small market town of Sturminster Newton. The surrounding area is rural comprising many farms and small towns/villages.

Within travelling distance is the Jurassic Coast, beaches and areas of outstanding natural beauty. The area is very well served by a range of village and local primary schools. The buildings in which the school is housed date from 1960 to 1995 and continual refurbishment and updating ensures that the school retains a ‘cared for’ feeling which is respected and appreciated by students.

There are extensive playing fields and superb views of the surrounding area from the school site.

Students

We currently have an admission number of 120 per year and approximately 620 on roll. This includes approximately 100 students in our Sixth Form which we run in partnership with Shaftesbury School. The partnership offers a range of A Level and other post 16 courses on our site for students based here at Sturminster Newton and at Shaftesbury.

Staff

The staff within the school are key to its success and we are fortunate in having well qualified, supportive staff in all posts across the school. Curriculum areas are staffed with specialist teachers working in specialist rooms.

Curriculum, Teaching and Learning

The school works effectively with a range of partners in order to give students the widest possible opportunities at all key stages.

There is a wide range of activities beyond the classroom including lunchtime and after school clubs, enrichment sessions, visits (both during the school day and the evenings) and residential trips. Such activities are indicative of the commitment of our staff to giving the best experience of being a student at SNHS.