The Purbeck School is a mainstream secondary school in Wareham, Dorset, for children and young people aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 126 of its 1,022 pupils (12.3%) were getting SEN support and 38 (3.7%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 1,022 pupils
- Ofsted: Good
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Dorset.
12.3% get SEN support
126 of 1,022 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
About the same as the England average.
3.7% have an EHC plan
38 of 1,022 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia62
- Social, emotional and mental health45
- Autism29
- Speech, language and communication12
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream secondary school
- Run as
- Academy
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 1,022 (places for 1,180)
- Headteacher
- Mr Adam Darley
- Part of
- Wessex Multi Academy Trust
- Free school meals
- 22.7% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Dorset
- School reference (URN)
- 148737
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Dorset council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Rated Good, December 2014; improved significantly (April 2025)
Rated Good at its last graded inspection, in December 2014. That was some time ago, so read the latest report for the full picture.
- Leadership and managementGood
- Sixth formGood
Since then: Improved significantly (ungraded inspection, April 2025).
Contact and getting there
Worgret Road, Wareham, BH20 4PF
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Millie College Independent · Ages 16–25 3.9 miles
- Harbour School Dorset Special school · Ages 10–19 · Ofsted: Good 4.6 miles
- Old Town Infant School and Nursery Mainstream + base · Ages 3–7 · Ofsted: Good 6.5 miles
- Canford Heath Infant School Mainstream + base · Ages 4–7 · Ofsted: Outstanding 7.6 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Wareham St Mary Church of England Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 17%, EHC plans 7.3% 0.4 miles
- Stoborough Church of England Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 16.4%, EHC plans 2.1% 0.7 miles
- Sandford St Martin's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 12.9%, EHC plans 2% 2.2 miles
Questions about The Purbeck School
How many pupils at The Purbeck School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 126 of the 1,022 pupils (12.3%) were getting SEN support and 38 (3.7%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at The Purbeck School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (62 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (45 pupils) and autism (29 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at The Purbeck School?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at The Purbeck School?
Through Dorset council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to The Purbeck School?
You can ask for The Purbeck School to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does The Purbeck School have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Old Town Infant School and Nursery, about 6.5 miles away.
Where is The Purbeck School?
Worgret Road, Wareham, BH20 4PF, in Dorset.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.