Dorset is one of England's local authorities, responsible for 184 schools — 119 primary, 18 secondary, educating around 52,335 pupils. The median teacher salary across Dorset's state-funded schools is £47,207.9 (2024-25). There are currently 50 open teaching jobs across the authority. Browse schools by town, see how the authority compares, and find teaching jobs in Dorset.
Dorset at a glance
- Local authority
- Dorset
- Nation
- England
- Total schools
- 184
- Primary schools
- 119
- Secondary schools
- 18
- Pupils (state-funded)
- 52,335
- Teachers (FTE)
- 2,677
- Pupil–teacher ratio
- 18.1 (England 18.6)
- Median teacher pay
- £47,207.9
- Spend per pupil
- £8,409
- Open teaching jobs
- 50
Workforce figures DfE School Workforce Census 2024-25; spending DfE CFR 2024-25; schools & pupils from GIAS. Open Government Licence.
Schools map — Dorset
184 schools in Dorset plotted by location.
Loading map…
Teaching in Dorset
Teacher pay and ratios vs the England average (2024-25).
Source: DfE School Workforce Census, 2024-25, Open Government Licence. Covers all state-funded schools, including academies.
School spending in Dorset
Gross expenditure per pupil — LA-maintained schools (2024-25).
Source: DfE “LA and school expenditure” (CFR), 2024-25, Open Government Licence. Council-maintained schools; academies report separately.
Key services in Dorset
Admissions, term dates, SEND and transport — official council services for Dorset.
Links open official GOV.UK services, which direct you to Dorset’s council by postcode. Always confirm dates and deadlines with the council.
Schools in Dorset
Rushcombe First School
Wimborne, Dorset· BH21 3PX
314 pupils
St Ives Primary & Nursery School
Ringwood, Dorset· BH24 2LE
256 pupils
KS2: 90% met expected standard
Trust: THE HEATH ACADEMY TRUST
Atlantic Academy Portland
Portland, Dorset· DT5 2NA
748 pupils
Attainment 8: 34.0
Trust: ASPIRATIONS ACADEMIES TRUST
Beaminster School
Beaminster, Dorset· DT8 3EP
679 pupils
Attainment 8: 47.0
Beaminster St Mary's Academy
Beaminster, Dorset· DT8 3BY
125 pupils
KS2: 75% met expected standard
Trust: DIOCESE OF SALISBURY ACADEMY TRUST
Beaucroft Foundation School
Wimborne, Dorset· BH21 2SS
231 pupils
KS2: 0% met expected standard
Teaching jobs in Dorset
View 50 open teaching jobs in Dorset →Dorset: frequently asked questions
How many schools are there in Dorset?
Dorset has 184 schools, including 119 primary and 18 secondary schools, educating around 52,335 pupils. This covers state-funded and other schools in the local authority recorded on Get Information About Schools (GIAS).
What is the average teacher salary in Dorset?
The median teacher salary across Dorset's state-funded schools is £47,207.9 (DfE School Workforce Census 2024-25), above the England average of £47,185. The pupil–teacher ratio is 18.1, against an England average of 18.6.
Who employs teachers in Dorset?
It depends on the school. In council-maintained schools, Dorset local authority is the legal employer; in academies and free schools the academy trust employs staff directly. You can apply for teaching jobs in Dorset through the school, the academy trust, the council or a recruitment agency.
How do I apply for a school place in Dorset?
Apply through Dorset's co-ordinated admissions scheme using your home council — one application covers schools across the authority, including community and voluntary-controlled schools. Use the official GOV.UK service, which routes you to Dorset by postcode; deadlines and catchment rules are set by the council.
Are there teaching jobs in Dorset?
Yes — there are currently 50 open teaching vacancies in Dorset. New roles are listed as schools and trusts publish them.