17th April 2026
Sturminster Newton High School (SNHS) has been named the second most improved state secondary school in Dorset, following the release of the Department for Education’s latest secondary school performance data for 2024–25.
The recognition, reported by the Bournemouth Echo, highlights significant improvements in Attainment 8, a key national measure based on students’ achievement across eight GCSE qualifications, including English and maths. SNHS recorded an increase of 3.9 points, rising from 42.2 in 2024 to 46.1 in 2025, placing the school second overall among all state secondary schools in the county.
This improvement reflects the sustained focus on high-quality teaching, targeted intervention, and strong pastoral support at SNHS, alongside the commitment and resilience shown by students during an increasingly demanding examination landscape.
Speaking about the achievement, Michael Motteram, Head of School, said the outcome represents a collective effort across the whole school community:
“We are incredibly proud of this improvement in our Attainment 8 score. It reflects the hard work and ambition of our students, the unwavering support of families, and the daily commitment of our staff.
At SNHS, our values of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience sit at the heart of everything we do. They shape our culture, our relationships and the way we approach learning, and this recognition shows the impact of those values in action.”
The performance data places SNHS ahead of a number of larger schools across the county, reinforcing the school’s reputation for driving improvement while maintaining an inclusive and supportive ethos. The Bournemouth Echo report ranked schools based on year-on-year progress in Attainment 8, with only one school in Dorset demonstrating a larger improvement.
Mr Motteram added that the school is determined to build on this momentum:
“This recognition belongs to our whole community. We believe deeply in ambition and belonging, and we are committed to continuing this journey so that every young person at Sturminster Newton High School has the opportunity to thrive.”
The news comes at the start of the summer term and follows a strong programme of targeted academic support, including recent revision and intervention sessions for Year 11 and Year 13 students, designed to ensure learners are well prepared as they approach their final examinations.
Sturminster Newton High School remains focused on further strengthening outcomes, widening opportunities, and ensuring that all students leave the school confident, capable and ready for their next steps.
The article is available at: Dorset’s most improved state secondary schools revealed | Bournemouth Echo
