Dorchester Learning Centre
Pupil referral unit school in Dorchester (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
The Dorchester Learning Centre encompasses two sites in Dorset. We share one common purpose: to provide the very best in education and support for all children who (for a variety of reasons) find themselves outside of mainstream school education.
In the school’s own words, from the school website.
Enrichment
2 activitiesiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Forest School
- Trauma Informed Schools
Awards
1 awardiFound on the school website by WhatSchool. Not verified by Governance Register; the school website is the authority.- Inclusion Quality MarkInclusion
Key facts
- URN
- 130316
- Type
- Pupil referral unit
- Phase
- Not applicable
- Ages
- 5 to 18
- Gender
- Mixed
- Local authority
- Dorset
- Constituency
- West Dorset
- Setting
- Smaller rural: Further from a major town or city
- Opened
- 2001
Governing body (8 current, 2 former)
Maintained school governing body.
Leadership
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amy Penfold | Chair of Governors | Appointed by GB/board | since 2025 · until 2028 |
Full governing body
| Name | Role | How appointed | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mr Mark Taylor | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2026 · until 2030 |
| Janek Tarnawski | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Miss Joanna Cottee | Governor | Elected by school staff | since 2025 · until 2029 |
| Mrs Claire Noble | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2023 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Mr David Dinsmore | Governor | Ex-officio by virtue of office as headteacher/principal | since 2021 |
| Mr Jonathan Anderson | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2020 · until 2028 |
| Mrs Gaynor Howlett | Governor | Nominated by LA and appointed by GB | since 2020 · until 2027 ends 2027 |
| Ms Vikki Murphy Former | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2024 · term ended 2026 |
| Mr Nigel Gallichan Former | Governor | Appointed by GB/board | since 2020 · term ended 2025 |
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