All schools in the multi-academy trust are equal partners and are committed to the principles of collaboration, sharing expertise and resources to enable all partner schools to deliver excellent education for all young people in their care. The current schools that are members of the MAT are:
Secondary Schools:
The Gryphon School
The Gryphon School attracts students from around North and West Dorset as well as South Somerset. We are a Church of England School, but as the secondary school for all children, our religious character is highly inclusive, embracing those of all faiths and of no faith. Students thrive and succeed in a positive, caring and respectful atmosphere.
Our special culture and ethos focus on high achievement both personally and academically. This comes from the tremendous work of all our staff and of our students. We strive to be outstanding in all respects – this includes continually improving the opportunities for the students, the ways of learning and the facilities.
The Gryphon gains high results for its students at both GCSE and A Level. Our large Sixth Form of 450 students is exceptional. We have an excellent record of success in university entrance, including places at Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group universities, as well as for training places and apprenticeships.
We are the local community school, are outward looking and have excellent community links. We have strong relationships with other good and outstanding schools across the South West and throughout the country.
King Arthur’s School
King Arthur’s is a 11-16 school in the historic town of Wincanton. We are a small secondary school and this helps us to develop a special family atmosphere within our school community, where every student feels valued and cared for. Every child really does matter and all children are known by all staff. Students thrive and succeed in our positive, caring and respectful environment.
We believe firmly in opportunity and achievement for all and we are proud to provide an education that aims to equip all students with the confidence, competence, knowledge, skills and understanding to fit easily and actively into a rapidly changing society.
Shaftesbury School
At Shaftesbury School we promote the highest expectations of our students, and encourage each individual to be the best they can be. We have roughly 1,000 students including those in our Sixth Form, and we pride ourselves on the strong reputation we have for the quality of our pastoral care.
Our vision is underpinned by a set of four values: BELONGING, EMPATHY, SERVICE and THRIVE. Our Christian Ethos encompasses both the school’s vision and it’s values. We ask for all to ‘Love Thy Neighbour as Thyself’. This is wonderfully illustrated through the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
https://shaftesburyschool.co.uk
Sturminster Newton High School
As a small school based in Dorset, one of our strengths is that we know our students well and are able to help them succeed on a personal level. The school promotes a happy and purposeful teaching environment, where all are supported and encouraged to do their best.
We believe that happy students become successful learners, happy students develop the skills to succeed in life and that happy students learn to become independent and thoughtful adults. Young people leaving this school will be confident individuals with the necessary life skills for further success at university, college or in employment.
Harbour Vale School
Formerly known as Sherborne Learning Centre, Harbour Vale School joined SAST on 1st November 2019. Our school provides alternative education for students across North and West Dorset.
Harbour Vale provides an important provision for students who have medical needs or who have been excluded from other schools. We support them to tackle any barriers to learning, gain core qualifications, and holistic life skills, which will enable them to become valued members of society.
www.harbourvale.dorset.sch.uk
Primary Schools:
Buckland Newton CE Primary School
Buckland Newton CE Primary School is committed to excellence in education. We aim to excite children’s imaginations through a range of engaging and challenging learning experiences inside and outside the classroom within a Christian environment.
Every child should leave school with the confidence, the ability and the desire to make the world a better place.
Charlton Horethorne CE Primary School
Charlton Horethorne is a very small rural school at the heart of the local community. We have three classes; Ladybirds YR,Y1 and Y2, Bees Y3/4 and Dragonflies Y5/6.
In our school we believe that every child is special and all of our pupils valued and nurtured by our hardworking, caring and dedicated staff. We believe that children learn best when they are happy and stimulated to learn.
www.charltonhorethorne.somerset.sch.uk
Motcombe CE Primary School
Motcombe Church of England Primary School is a successful village school surrounded by beautiful North Dorset countryside and situated between the towns of Gillingham and Shaftesbury.
The school offers an experienced and dedicated staff who are all committed to providing the best possible education for all pupils whilst developing the talents and abilities of the ‘whole child’. Our creative approach to the curriculum starts from the child to provide meaningful and exciting learning opportunities whilst ensuring high standards through high expectations.
The school offers an experienced and dedicated staff who are all committed to providing the best possible education for all pupils whilst developing the talents and abilities of the ‘whole child’. Our creative approach to the curriculum starts from the child to provide meaningful and exciting learning opportunities whilst ensuring high standards through high expectations.
Shaftesbury CE Primary School
Shaftesbury C of E Primary School encourages children to be independent, life-long learners who are self-motivated, happy, creative, caring and positive. They have an understanding of themselves, others and the wider world.
As a learning community that involves the children, our families and our staff we aim to INSPIRE. At Shaftesbury CE Primary School, INSPIRE, means that we:
are Independent, Never give up, Shine, Participate positively, celebrate Individuality, Reach for the stars, Explore and excite.
We actively develop the Growth Mindset across the learning community and see all children and adults as learners together. We work as a team to help everyone be the best that they can be.
Sherborne Abbey CE Primary School
At Sherborne Abbey CE VC Primary School each of our children are individuals whom we care for, encourage to live their lives through Christian values, support and have high expectations for.
www.sherborneabbey.dorset.sch.uk
Sherborne Primary School
At Sherborne Primary, we all believe in promoting a caring town school where EVERY child is an individual and known for their unique contribution to the school, town and wider community. Through experience we know this can only be developed by a close partnership between home and school, based on trust, confidence and honesty.
www.sherbornepri.dorset.sch.uk
Shillingstone CE Primary School
We are a small, village primary school that has an inclusive and caring atmosphere. We have an open door policy, where parents and families are actively encouraged to come into the school and where everybody is made feel welcome. We are committed to providing high standards of learning for all children, following a varied and engaging creative curriculum.
http://www.shillingstone.dorset.sch.uk
St Andrew’s CE Primary School, Fontmell Magna
Successful learning is a result of successful teaching and all at St Andrew’s take this responsibility very seriously. St Andrew’s is special because it combines high academic standards, challenging expectations, and a rich, exciting and stimulating extended curriculum. Music, art and sport are strengths that have been recognised by national accreditations. The more opportunities we give our children, the more opportunities they have to succeed. This, we believe, is a truly inclusive curriculum. However, above all, we know that happy, secure children are good learners.
At St Andrew’s Primary, we want the children to be proud of their achievements, school and the community. We aspire for them to become lively, confident adults, who can empathise, care for other people, our environment, and set themselves realistic challenges.
https://standrewsfontmell.co.uk
St Andrew’s CE Primary School, Yetminster
Our goal is to make learning fun and to create a safe and nurturing environment, where EVERY CHILD MATTERS and starts the journey to reaching their full potential. As a “Rights Respecting” school we create a calm and harmonious community, with every child taking responsibility and respecting the rights of others. We aim to ensure all children will enhance and develop their natural talents to the best of their abilities in the most creative and enjoyable way possible. We also encourage you to support your child in their learning at home so together we can maximize their success.
St Mary’s CE Primary School, Bradford Abbas
At St Mary’s, we can offer you outstanding teaching and learning, excellent behaviour and a warm, safe and friendly Christian ethos where every individual is valued. We emphasise the importance of positive relationships and reward.
Our school is situated in the centre of Bradford Abbas, a thriving village community around St Mary’s Church, the Rose & Crown Pub, the Village Hall and the Sports & Social Club. With currently 119 pupils on the school roll, our children will learn to value the experience of being part of the wonderful community of Bradford Abbas.
www.bradfordabbasprimary.co.uk
St Mary the Virgin CE Primary School, Gillingham
At St Mary the Virgin CE Primary School and Nursery, we believe everything is possible for all our children. The school and nursery belongs to the children. Our Christian values underpin all aspects of school life and our children’s personal and spiritual development as human beings.
We understand that children learn best when they are happy and secure and so we create a supportive, safe and stimulating learning environment. We believe in working in partnership with you, as your child’s first educators, to achieve the very best for your child. We work with each child as an individual so that they are supported and challenged to reach their greatest potential.
http://www.stmarygillingham.dorset.sch.uk
St Nicholas CE Primary School, Child Okeford
At St Nicholas we seek to provide an all inclusive environment where all children
achieve their potential by ‘exploring possibilities together’ and developing our
personal values of respect, curiosity, community and friendship. By ensuring that
our teaching and learning curriculum opportunities reflect the needs and interests of all pupils we can ensure that provision is appropriate and will inspire all our pupils.
We promote respect, tolerance and understanding for one another and
appreciate and value our differences. Children are encouraged to care for one
another, the school environment and the world in which they live.
www.childokeford.dorset.sch.uk
Thornford CE Primary School
Thornford School is a Church of England School; it is a caring community based on Christian principles and family values.The children are valued as individuals and encouraged to develop their full potential through a range of good quality educational experiences. The School has the advantages of a greenfield site with a spacious playing field and playground.
www.thornford.dorset.sch.uk
Nurseries/Pre-Schools:
Little Adventurers
We are a school-based, small, friendly and fun pre-school in Buckland Newton.
bucklandnewton.dorset.sch.uk/ourclasses/adventurers
Shooting Stars Nursery
Shooting Stars is a friendly and stimulating day Nursery, which caters for children from 2 year olds to when they are ready to start school. Based in Gillingham, we provide opportunities for every child to grow and develop into happy confident individuals.