Best Private Schools in Dorset
Dorset has 11 private schools which take pupils of high school age, some of which also have primary and nursery schools as well. Nearly all the schools offer both day and boarding places, with a few offering boarding-only places.
Where Schools are Located
The majority of Dorset’s independent schools are located in and around Bournemouth and Broadstone. However there are small clusters of schools near Blandford Forum and Sherborne too.
Dorset has 11 private schools which take pupils of high school age, some of which also have primary and nursery schools as well. Nearly all the schools offer both day and boarding places, with a few offering boarding-only places.
Where Schools are Located
The majority of Dorset’s independent schools are located in and around Bournemouth and Broadstone. However there are small clusters of schools near Blandford Forum and Sherborne too.
School Genders in Dorset
Most of the private schools in Dorset are co-educational, however, there are also four girls-only schools and one boys-only school (Sherborne School).
Dorset Independent School League Table
| # | 9-7(A*/A)% | School | Gender | School type | Day fees | Boarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 85% | Kings Bournemouth | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £22,896 | £35,676 |
| 2 | 73% | Canford School | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £42,945 | £57,219 |
| 3 | 64% | Sherborne Girls | Girls | Boarding | £11,950 | £18,685 |
| 4 | 53% | Sherborne School | Boys | Boarding | £15,190 | £19,200 |
| 5 | 45% | Talbot Heath School | Girls | Boarding | N/A | N/A |
| 6 | 43% | Bryanston School | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £12,554 | £18,841 |
| 7 | 30% | Clayesmore School | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | N/A | N/A |
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Best Private Schools by GCSE Results
The top performing schools academically for GCSE are (in order):
| # | 9-7(A*/A)% | School | Gender | School type | Day fees | Boarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 85% | Kings Bournemouth | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £22,896 | £35,676 |
| 2 | 73% | Canford School | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £42,945 | £57,219 |
| 3 | 64% | Sherborne Girls | Girls | Boarding | £11,950 | £18,685 |
| 4 | 53% | Sherborne School | Boys | Boarding | £15,190 | £19,200 |
| 5 | 45% | Talbot Heath School | Girls | Boarding | N/A | N/A |
Best Private Schools by A-Level Results
The top performing schools academically for A-Level are (in order):
| # | A*/A% | School | Gender | School type | Day fees | Boarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 55% | Canford School | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £42,945 | £57,219 |
| 2 | 50% | Milton Abbey School | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £11,025 | £20,995 |
| 3 | 40% | Sherborne Girls | Girls | Boarding | £11,950 | £18,685 |
| =4 | 33% | Bryanston School | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £12,554 | £18,841 |
| =4 | 33% | Kings Bournemouth | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £22,896 | £35,676 |
Day & Boarding Fees
Day fees
Boarding Fees
Best Private Boys Schools
Best Private Boys School by GCSE
The top performing boys schools academically for GCSE are (in order):
| # | 9-7(A*/A)% | School | Gender | School type | Day fees | Boarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 53% | Sherborne School | Boys | Boarding | £15,190 | £19,200 |
Best Private Boys School by A-Level
The top performing boys schools academically for A-Level are (in order):
| # | A*/A% | School | Gender | School type | Day fees | Boarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 33% | Sherborne School | Boys | Boarding | £15,190 | £19,200 |
Best Private Girls Schools
Best Private Girls School by GCSE Results
The top performing girls schools academically for GCSE are (in order):
| # | 9-7(A*/A)% | School | Gender | School type | Day fees | Boarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 64% | Sherborne Girls | Girls | Boarding | £11,950 | £18,685 |
| 2 | 45% | Talbot Heath School | Girls | Boarding | N/A | N/A |
Best Private Girls School by A-Level Results
The top performing girls schools academically for A-Level are (in order):
| # | A*/A% | School | Gender | School type | Day fees | Boarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40% | Sherborne Girls | Girls | Boarding | £11,950 | £18,685 |
| 2 | 27% | Talbot Heath School | Girls | Boarding | N/A | N/A |
Best Co-Ed Schools
Best Co-Ed Schools by GCSE Results
The top performing co-ed schools academically for GCSE are (in order):
| # | 9-7(A*/A)% | School | Gender | School type | Day fees | Boarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 85% | Kings Bournemouth | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £22,896 | £35,676 |
| 2 | 73% | Canford School | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £42,945 | £57,219 |
| 3 | 43% | Bryanston School | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £12,554 | £18,841 |
| 4 | 30% | Clayesmore School | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | N/A | N/A |
Best Co-Ed Schools by A-Level Results
The top performing co-ed schools academically for A-Level are (in order):
| # | A*/A% | School | Gender | School type | Day fees | Boarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 55% | Canford School | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £42,945 | £57,219 |
| 2 | 50% | Milton Abbey School | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £11,025 | £20,995 |
| =3 | 33% | Bryanston School | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £12,554 | £18,841 |
| =3 | 33% | Kings Bournemouth | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | £22,896 | £35,676 |
| 5 | 19% | Clayesmore School | Co-Ed | Day & boarding | N/A | N/A |
Co-Ed School Fees
Day fees
Boarding Fees
Boarding Schools in Dorset
Dorset Private School Costs (Averages)
