Mountjoy School
Community special school in Beaminster (Dorset).
Location
iSchool location from Get Information about Schools. Nearby schools are coloured by phase. Open Map+ for a full-screen map with neighbourhood deprivation (England only).About
Welcome to our school website where you will find out lots of information about the school and learn about our values. The last Ofsted report captured why it is a very special place to learn and to teach (see below).
We hold our pupils in very high regard and work closely with our families to ensure what we do helps them grow into happy, resilient adults with a strong sense of what they want from the future. Our school environment is modern and well-resourced with a hydrotherapy pool, sensory room and garden, soft play area and well-designed outdoor learning spaces.
Thank you for visiting the website and please contact the school office on 01308 861155 if you would like any further information or want to visit in person.
In the school’s own words, from the school website.
Key facts
- URN
- 113957
- Type
- Community special school
- Phase
- Not applicable
- Ages
- 4 to 19
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- Has a sixth form
- Nursery
- No Nursery Classes
- Local authority
- Dorset
- Constituency
- West Dorset
- Setting
- Smaller rural: Further from a major town or city
Governing body (14 current, 1 former)
Special schools governing body.
Leadership
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helen Farmer | Chair of Governors | Appointed by GB/board | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
Full governing body
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kat Thurtle | Governor | Elected by school staff | since 2026 · until 2030 |
| Rebecca Knox | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2026 · until 2030 |
| Steve Laycock | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2026 · until 2030 |
| Zoe Rutland | Governor | Parent appointed by GB/board due to no election candidates | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Liz Fraser | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Stephen Larcombe | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Craig Monks | Governor | Nominated by LA and appointed by GB | since 2024 · until 2029 |
| Janice Pavitt | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Siobhan Freer | Governance Professional - Local Authority Maintained SchoolGovernance professional | since 2024 | |
| Gareth Burton | Governor | Parent appointed by GB/board due to no election candidates | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| James Scott | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2024 · until 2028 |
| Jane Biglin | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Gill Howard | Governor | Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | since 2020 |
| Carolyn Shead-Jones Former | Governor | Elected by school staff | since 2022 · term ended 2026 |
Source: Department for Education, Get Information about Schools (governance records, as at 1 November 2026). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Names are shown as published; there are no addresses or contact details. Current and former are worked out from term end dates when the page loads. Object or ask for removal · Report an issue with this record