Education chiefs at school inspection service Ofsted have revealed their key facts and figures for Dorset over the past year.

Despite carrying out fewer inspections, due to Covid, their regulatory and enforcement activity has continued.

From September, Ofsted resumed inspecting schools across the country and for the first time in almost a decade, those deemed outstanding faced compulsory routine visits.

Key findings and headline facts for the South West

  • In the South West, 98% of childminders were good or outstanding. This was above the national figure of 96%
  • For nurseries and pre-schools, 98% were rated good or outstanding, in line with the national figure.
  • In Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole, 91% of inspected primary schools were judged good or outstanding compared with 75% in Bristol and Dorset.
  • For secondary schools, 70% in the South West were judged to be good or outstanding. Nationally, 77% were judged to be good or outstanding.
  • For non-association independent schools, 79% in the South West were judged to be good or outstanding. Nationally, 78% of non-association independent schools were judged good or outstanding.

How Covid has been impacted education

South West Regional Director for the South West, James McNeillie, said: “The pandemic has, and is continuing to have a huge impact on education and care. So we must absolutely credit all those leaders and staff working in education and care who have continued to teach, support and protect children and young people in the most challenging circumstances.

"Our earlier experiences of lockdown reinforce just how important it is for schools and other settings to remain open, both for children’s learning and safety. Schools provide a line of sight for vulnerable children and young people and well-structured routines that are vital for their learning and development, especially those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).”

What about SEND in BCP?

During the 2020/21 reporting year, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area received an area SEND inspection and a written statement of action was required. Overall, in the South West, seven areas required a written statement of action. 

Latest figures 2019/2020

Primary inspection outcomes

BCP

Number of schools inspected - 61

Percentage good or outstanding - 91%

Dorset

Number of schools inspected - 121

Percentage good or outstanding - 75%

Secondary inspection outcomes

BCP

Number of schools inspected - 24

Percentage good or outstanding - 79%

Dorset

Number of schools inspected - 29

Percentage good or outstanding - 72%

Suspension rates in secondary schools

BCP: 2561 suspensions

Dorset: 1790 suspensions