Education
Swanage teenagers get new youth club and gym sessions New opportunities for young people in Swanage in Dorset are being offered, after it was felt that the community could do more for teenagers. 
Purbeck pupils fix up new homes for hedgehogs Hedgehogs waking up from hibernation are in for a treat at Sandford St Martin's School, where pupils are making homes to keep them safe, warm and well fed. 
‘Unique’ Swanage school gets results in classroom and on race track With extra curricular opportunities like driving a racing car, The Swanage School in Dorset has been praised for the outstanding personal development of its pupils following an inspection by Ofsted. 
Celebrating 10 years since return of secondary schooling in Swanage The extraordinary vision of a group of determined parents, residents and local councillors which created The Swanage School marks its 10th anniversary. 
Pre-school in Swanage graded by Ofsted as Outstanding The team at a pre-school in Swanage are ‘over the moon’ having been told by Ofsted that they’ve been awarded the highest possible grading in all areas following a recent ... 
School in Swanage is first in Purbeck to get top sport award A primary school in Swanage is one of only a handful in Dorset and the first in Purbeck to be awarded the Platinum School Games Mark. 
Coronation teaspoons given to Swanage children as memento All children attending Swanage primary schools have received a silver plated teaspoon from Swanage Town Council to commemorate the coronation of King Charles III. 
From Swanage to Serengeti, Alfie has new driving ambition Former Swanage student says he's found his calling in life at a preschool in Africa, and is now fundraising for a new bus. 
Grammar school weathervane restored and saved for Swanage! After many years of fighting to save a little bit of local history, the old Swanage Grammar School’s copper weathervane has been restored and handed over to Swanage Town Council ... 
Community welcomed back to Langton Matravers school nativity For the first time in six years St George’s CoE Primary School in Langton Matravers is holding a second evening performance of its nativity for local residents. 
Swanage students open a new art trail to celebrate the pier’s past Art students have helped create a new interactive arts trail on Swanage Pier, linking the heritage of the town's tourism with its industrial past. 
‘Critical summer’ for future of Langton stone carving centre Burngate Purbeck Stone Centre at Langton Matravers has relaunched this summer following a tough two years when the pandemic threatened its existence. 
Swanage museum doubles size of archive to cope with extra donations Swanage Museum is doubling the size of its archive to handle the influx of items and provide additional meeting, research and exhibition space. 
Rollout of ‘ultrafast’ broadband in Swanage to start soon Swanage schools, Durlston Country Park and the tip in Swanage are to be among the first places in the UK to benefit from ‘next generation’ full-fibre broadband. 
Surge in school bookings means Swanage firms set for record year Swanage outdoor education businesses are riding the wave of a boom in school bookings with a record number of children signed up for 2022. 
Last celebration for the old Swanage Grammar School A final reunion for the old Swanage Grammar School brought together 170 people including former pupils and teachers. 
Stone carvings by Swanage students to go on pier to mark anniversary To help celebrate the 125th anniversary of Swanage Pier, pupils from The Swanage School have been learning the ancient local art of stone carving. 
Village turns out for a grand opening in Langton Matravers After much anticipation, the impressive new playground at Langton Matravers near Swanage has been officially opened. 
Langton pre-school gets surprise donation from Swanage Folk Festival St George’s Pre-school leader, Sabrina Moss, was delighted when she received an unexpected donation of £250 from Swanage Folk Festival. 
Bumper fundraising effort in Swanage to get #Willdoes bus on the road A launch date in early 2022 has been set for a mobile youth centre based in Swanage, thanks to youth charity #Willdoes. 
Olympic medallist inspires Swanage students at Dorset stables Pupils from The Swanage School were lucky enough to get to meet three-times Olympic medallist Victoria Pendleton at a Dorset horse centre. 
Swanage families invited to swap toys for Christmas A Swanage childcare group is inviting local families to take part in a toy swap to spread a little Christmas joy. 
Opportunity to join in U3A activities in Purbeck post lockdown Covid restrictions have played havoc with social groups in Swanage, so now Purbeck U3A is enticing new members to venture out. 
Secondary schools in Purbeck holding open evenings again Open evenings for prospective parents and children to look round secondary schools in Purbeck, including The Swanage School, are happening again this autumn. 
Purbeck View School in Swanage graded as inadequate for social care The regulator, Ofsted, has told the management of the Purbeck View School in Swanage it must not admit any more students following its latest inspection, which found the social care ... 
No reprieve for Swanage Air Cadets as it merges with Wareham With its headquarters deemed "past its sell-by date" the decision has been made to combine Swanage Air Cadets with the squadron in Wareham. 
Purbeck musical instruments urgently seek a new home A scheme that enables children in Swanage and across Purbeck to borrow a musical instrument is under threat due to a lack of storage space. 
Non-uniform day raises £2,000 towards Swanage-based youth bus Local charity #Willdoes says it’s delighted with the success of its first Dorset Schools non-uniform day and wishes to thank everyone who took part. 
Swanage outdoor education centre up for sale at £2m The Allnatt Outdoors centre in Ulwell Road is being sold off after Covid restrictions wiped out its income. 
Help for parents as children in Swanage go back to school Dorset Council is offering support to parents and carers whose children are anxious about returning to the classroom this week, after an extended time away from the school environment. 
Views sought on use of £10m former school by Dorset Council Dorset Council wants to hear the views of Swanage residents about using St Mary’s School near Shaftesbury as a special school for pupils with additional needs. 
Swanage outdoor centre makes all staff redundant due to Covid Allnatt Outdoors has shut its centre in Swanage and on the Isle of Wight, making all of its 24 members of staff redundant after losing 97 per cent of its ... 
Christmas in full swing as Swanage playground is unwrapped Just in time for the festive holidays, Swanage Town Council has delivered a brand new play park, and re-named it The Chadwick Playground, after a local hero who saved the ... 
Parkstone Grammar School students to work from home after Covid cases at school The girls’ grammar school in Poole, attended by many children in Swanage has just announced that it’s to temporarily close for all staff and pupils. 
Swanage Primary pupils raise an amazing £1,790 for cancer charity Children from the primary school in Mount Scar were at last able to complete their Race for Life fundraiser, after delays due to coronavirus. 
Back to school for St Mark’s after coronavirus closure The pupils and staff at St Mark’s CE Primary School in Swanage return to their classrooms after a two week closure due to a member of staff testing positive for ... 
Closure of St Mark’s School – Public Health Dorset gives reassurance about COVID-19 in Swanage After a school staff member tested positive for COVID-19, the Director of Public Health Dorset, Sam Crowe has spoken to Swanage.News about stopping the spread of the virus in Swanage. St Mark’s Primary School to close after staff member tests positive for COVID-19 St Mark's CE Primary School in Swanage is the first school in Dorset since schools reopened in September, to shut due to a staff member testing positive for COVID-19. 
Santa gives creative boost to Swanage school kids Funding including a donation from Rotary's Santa sleigh fundraiser, means 150 art goody bags are going to Swanage pupils to get them creative over summer. 
Co-op now offering free school meal support to local schools As an alternative to the problematic government free school meal vouchers, the Co-op is offering a gift card scheme for areas like Swanage. 
Revealed – Dorset Council’s crisis response to COVID-19 In Dorset Council’s first online Cabinet meeting, the true extent of its fight against coronavirus in Dorset has been detailed, including its battle for PPE. 
Latest Durlston art exhibition opens to visitors, but not as planned … ‘A Dorset Wanderland’ hasn’t been cancelled but instead it’s been moved online, to be viewed from an appropriate social distance! 
The Swanage School appoints new headteacher The governing body of The Swanage School has announced that Jenny Maraspin is to become the school’s new headteacher with immediate effect. Last day at school for most, as coronavirus cases rise in Dorset Council area Children told to stay home as number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Dorset Council area rises to seven. 
Foot stomping success for The Swanage School’s production of Fame The musical, Fame, performed by a cast from The Swanage School, played to packed audiences at the Mowlem. New headteacher for The Swanage School A new headteacher is being sought for The Swanage School following the news that the current head, Tristram Hobson is to step down.