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Situated in a beautiful area of North Dorset, with easy road access to London, Bath, Bristol, Exeter and the glorious Dorset coast, The Gryphon School is a heavily over-subscribed 11-18, inclusive, Church of England school that welcomes those of all faiths and of none.  Our students come first and we encourage every student to strive for the highest possible levels of academic achievement alongside developing the personal attributes and qualities to thrive and make a positive contribution throughout life.  We work tirelessly to make sure every child wants to come to school – to learn, laugh and take another positive step forward.  We also pride ourselves on our support and care for everyone and each other.    The Gryphon School is successful in gaining high results for its students at both GCSE and A-level. The large Sixth Form of 430 students is exceptional.  Its students have an excellent record of success in gaining university entrance, including to Oxbridge and the Russell Group, and in the most challenging courses. We are a very proud school which attracts students from around North and West Dorset as well as South Somerset.   The Gryphon is a wonderful place to work and has a special atmosphere and feel.  It became an academy in August 2012 to sustain the quality of our outstanding provision. In a recent national publication, The Real Schools Guide 2016, it was rated as one of only two schools in Dorset to receive a 5 star rating based on attainment, teaching, attendance and outcomes.   The Good Schools Guide concludes that we are a ‘Super much sought-after school at the very centre of its community taking on the Sherborne independents.  Truly a model of comprehensive education at its best – a place for all comers, which children and parents set their heart on, so it bulges at the seams’.  Sherborne was named, in March 2014, by The Sunday Times as one of the best places to live in Britain, being described as ‘one of the most drop-dead-gorgeous towns in the country’ and having the feel of ‘a small cathedral city’.  This is boosted, it says, by the quality of its schools, both private and public.  Later that month, The Times named it as one of the best places to live in the countryside.  It is a great area in which to live, offering something for everyone.   We are an outward looking school with excellent community links as well as strong relationships with other good and outstanding schools across the South West and nationally.  Teaching is often outstanding, and consistently at least good across all subjects and key stages. Teachers make lessons stimulating and practical and have excellent subject knowledge. They make sure students are very clear about what is demanded of them and how to improve. Students consistently have very good attitudes to learning.  They behave extremely courteously to one another, to teachers and other adults and work well whether collaborating in groups taking part in whole-class activities or on their own.’ Ofsted 2014. The School’s very positive entry in the Good School Guide describes pastoral care and discipline as ‘exceptional’. Students are reflective, behave with great courtesy, and are heavily involved in working with staff to improve the school and the welfare of others. We are a comprehensive school serving a diverse community.   In summary, there is a great sense of pride in what we collectively achieve, but we will accept the challenge for achievement to be even higher.  Our special culture and ethos focuses on high achievement, for students to achieve the best that they can, both personally and academically, supported by the tremendous work and care of all our staff. We continue to strive to be outstanding in all respects.    Of course, education is more than just exam results – we place great value on the personal development of each student.  We aim for them to leave school as well-rounded young people with a strong sense of what is socially, morally and culturally acceptable, and to feel that they have a contribution to make to the greater community.