Inktober 2026

Our Wessex family of schools
Bere Regis School
Damers First School
Dorchester Middle School
Frome Valley First School
Manor Park CE First School
Milborne St Andrews First School
Piddle Valley CE First School
Puddletown CE First School
The Purbeck School
St. Mary's CE Middle School
St Osmund's CE Middle School
Thomas Hardye School

This week, our new Environmental Leadership cohort completed their first visit of the programme, a trip to Hartland Farm near Corfe Castle. Wessex Wild’s Jake welcomed the students, and took the party on an informative and enjoyable tractor trailer ride across many acres of farmland. We learned about how Jake is managing rewilding projects, protecting and establishing new nature-friendly habitats, and the positive impact that the cattle herd and pigs make upon the land. The pigs were a particular favourite! Thanks to Jake and Chrissy for offering us this opportunity once again.
Head of Sixth Form Simon Holmes said, ‘This leadership programme, run in conjunction with The National Trust and Dorset Heaths Partnership, is such a valuable part of the sixth form’s enrichment programme. Being able to offer such a variety of activities (including the Drama LAMDA qualification, the EPQ, a food hygiene certificate, sport, yoga, art and more) very much allows our students to develop their experiential qualities in addition to their academic skills. And who doesn’t love a pig?!’
We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding golfing achievements of William Elsdon, who has enjoyed an exceptional 2026 season, representing both his school and Dorset with distinction.
William, a Dorset County Golf Union U14 County Champion, has achieved an impressive collection of successes over recent months, demonstrating not only his talent but also his dedication, consistency and determination on the course.
His highlights this season include:
Perhaps most remarkable is William's improvement over the past 18 months. His Handicap Index has fallen from 35.6 on 1 January 2025 to just 3.6 as of 17 September 2026 — an improvement of 32 shots.
This remarkable progress has seen William recognised as the most improved junior golfer within the Dorset County Golf Union Squads in 2026.
William's achievements are a fantastic reflection of the hard work, commitment and passion he has shown for his golf. We are incredibly proud of his success and look forward to following his continued progress, particularly at the Dorset County Order of Merit Matchplay Finals in October.
Congratulations, William, on an outstanding season!
On Monday 14th September, our Year 12 Photography students enjoyed a practical photography trip to Swanage. The day gave students the opportunity to develop their camera skills in a real-world setting, experimenting with exposure settings, depth of field, framing and a range of compositional techniques. Students were encouraged to look carefully at the environment around them and consider how their photographs could communicate a strong sense of place. It was a fantastic opportunity to build confidence behind the camera, be creative and gather exciting imagery to support their A Level Photography studies.

This online safety guide explores Character.AI, highlighting risks including inappropriate content, emotional dependency, the reliability of advice, and privacy concerns.
Our fantastic taster sessions are designed to support your child’s transition to The Purbeck School from their primary school.
Purbeck School P.E. Extra-Curricular Programme AUTUMN TERM
We are delighted to celebrate the outstanding achievement of Kaleb Fowler (Year 10), who has been awarded a prestigious sports scholarship to Milton Abbey School in recognition of his footballing talent and dedication.
Kaleb has been a valued member of our school community since joining in Year 7 and has represented the school with distinction throughout his time here. Under the guidance of Mr Hunt and Mr Keegan, he has been an integral part of several school teams, competing in numerous County Cup competitions and consistently demonstrating commitment, resilience and a strong work ethic.
Alongside his school football, Kaleb has also enjoyed considerable success with Dorchester Town FC, progressing through the club's age groups while competing in Division 1 of the Dorset Youth League. His development as a player has been driven by his determination to improve, his positive attitude and his passion for the game.

Receiving a scholarship to Milton Abbey School is a tremendous accomplishment and a fitting reward for Kaleb's hard work both on and off the pitch. We are incredibly proud of his achievements and wish him every success as he continues his footballing journey and takes advantage of the exciting opportunities ahead.
Congratulations, Kaleb, on this fantastic achievement. You are an excellent role model for younger students and a credit to both your school and local football community.
We’re incredibly proud of everyone receiving their GCSE results at The Purbeck School today. 🎉
There have been some fantastic achievements across the year group, reflecting the hard work and commitment our students have shown throughout their GCSE studies. 👏🎓
It was wonderful to see so many smiling faces this morning, and we wish every student the very best as they take their next steps – whether that’s continuing with us in the sixth form, heading to college, starting an apprenticeship or another path.
Well done, everyone!
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