Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole 11+
East Way, Bournemouth, BH8 9PY
A selective boys grammar school in Bournemouth, Dorset, serving ages 11-18 with a sixth form and around 1,284 pupils on roll.
Bournemouth School
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At a glance
Bournemouth School is a boys' selective grammar for ages 11 to 18, with a roll of about 1,284 and a substantial sixth form. The school sets out a traditional but not narrow grammar-school purpose: strong academic teaching, high expectations, discipline, smart appearance and respect, alongside preparation for higher education, careers and public life.
The academic offer is broad and recognisably all-round. Modern languages, science, computing and sixth-form study sit alongside a busy extra-curricular programme in which sport, music, Combined Cadet Force, Scouts and Duke of Edinburgh are described as mainstays. The school also has the established infrastructure families often look for in an older grammar: a library, design and technology, music provision, examinations support and alumni links.
Admission to Year 7 is through the shared Bournemouth and Poole grammar-school consortium test. Bournemouth School has a published Year 7 intake of 180; after testing, the policy gives priority to eligible looked-after children and Pupil Premium applicants, then uses priority-area, staff-child and score-ranked categories.
The school combines a competitive but readable admissions route with strong published outcomes: Ofsted Outstanding, a positive Progress 8 score, nearly all pupils achieving grade 5+ in English and maths, and a sizeable A level cohort moving on from the sixth form.
Latest 2024/25 KS4 measures compared with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and England.
Recent published Attainment 8 scores compared with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and England.
Latest 2024/25 Year 11 destination mix compared with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and England.
January 2025 school census
Whole-school roll of 1,284 pupils; 1,247 had a recorded ethnic group.
| Recorded group | Share | Category | Pupils |
|---|---|---|---|
| White British | 56.6% | White | 727 |
| Indian | 8.6% | Asian | 110 |
| Any other White background | 7.5% | White | 96 |
| White and Asian | 5.1% | Mixed | 65 |
| Any other mixed background | 3.9% | Mixed | 50 |
| Chinese | 3.6% | Asian | 46 |
| Any other Asian background | 3.4% | Asian | 44 |
| Any other ethnic group | 3.4% | Other | 44 |
| Unclassified | 2.9% | Unclassified | 37 |
| African | 1.4% | Black | 18 |
| White and Black African | 1% | Mixed | 13 |
| Bangladeshi | 0.8% | Asian | 10 |
| Pakistani | 0.8% | Asian | 10 |
| White and Black Caribbean | 0.6% | Mixed | 8 |
| Irish | 0.5% | White | 6 |
The shared Bournemouth and Poole grammar-school consortium test is used with Bournemouth School for Girls, Parkstone Grammar School, and Poole Grammar School. Parents register with one consortium school and the test result is then used to determine eligibility across the consortium.
A postcode-based priority area applies rather than a published map. The current materials list BH1 to BH8, BH9 to BH11, BH12 5, and BH23 1 to BH23 3 as the priority-area postcodes.
Looked after and previously looked after children
Eligible looked after and previously looked after children are considered first.
Pupil Premium applicants
Eligible applicants under the school's Pupil Premium criterion are ranked next.
Priority-area applicants
Remaining eligible applicants living in Bournemouth School's priority area are ranked by total score.
Children of staff
The school's policy includes a staff-priority category after the in-area score-based category.
Other eligible applicants
Remaining eligible out-of-area applicants are ranked by total score.
Bournemouth School's consortium tests are taken once at the school where the parent registered. The same result is then used to determine eligibility across the Bournemouth and Poole grammar-school consortium.
Shared exam route
Bournemouth School uses the shared Dorset route. Use these common practice resources for the route, then check the full consortium guide for the complete set and current test guidance.
View all Dorset practice papersPaper 1
Maths, English, Verbal reasoning
Consortium selection tests
Three GL multiple-choice papers in Mathematics, English, and Verbal Reasoning are used on the shared consortium test date.
English, Maths and Verbal reasoning are included in the published format.
Non-verbal reasoning and Science are not listed in the current published format.
English
Maths
Verbal reasoning
Three GL multiple-choice papers in Mathematics, English, and Verbal Reasoning are used on the shared consortium test date.
Non-verbal reasoning
Science
Registration opens
13 April 2026
PastOpen evening
9 July 2026
Registration closes
4 September 2026, 12 noon
Access arrangements deadline
7 September 2026, 12 noon
Test information sent to parents
18 September 2026, By 4.00pm
Entrance tests
26 September 2026
Results emailed
16 October 2026, 4.00pm
Local-authority application deadline
31 October 2026
Late testing registration closes
29 January 2027, 12 noon
Late testing
23 February 2027
Offer day
1 March 2027
Register for the consortium test
Complete the online Year 7 2027 test registration form between 13 April 2026 and 12 noon on 4 September 2026.
Register for testingSubmit any access-arrangements request
If your child needs access arrangements, submit the form by 12 noon on 7 September 2026.
Open access arrangementsSit the entrance tests and await the result
One consortium test date applies for the four grammar schools. The entrance tests are on 26 September 2026 and results are emailed on 16 October 2026.
Open Year 7 admissions pageApply through your home local authority
After the result is released, submit your school preferences through your home local authority by 31 October 2026.
Open BCP admissionsLatest official destinations data currently covers 2022/23 study leavers.
Recent trend
This follows the school's published overall GCSE score across the subjects pupils take. Higher is better.
| Year | This school | Grammar schools | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 72.3 | 74.2 | 49.4 |
| 2022/23 | 70.8 | 71.8 | 47.0 |
| 2023/24 | 73.3 | 72.1 | 46.7 |
| 2024/25 | 74.2 | 72.3 | 46.8 |
Recent trend
This follows the published average A-level result for the school's sixth form. Higher is better.
| Year | This school | Grammar schools | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | B+ average (42.2 points) | 44.0 points | 37.5 points |
| 2022/23 | B- average (37.1 points) | 40.5 points | 33.7 points |
| 2023/24 | B average (39.7 points) | 41.3 points | 34.5 points |
| 2024/25 | B average (40.2 points) | 41.8 points | 35.0 points |
Recent trend
This follows the share of pupils moving into a sustained destination after Year 11, such as education, apprenticeships, or employment.
| Year | This school | Grammar schools | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021/22 | 99% | 99.1% | 94.1% |
| 2022/23 | 99% | 98.9% | 93.9% |
| 2023/24 | 100% | 99.0% | 93.3% |
| 2024/25 | 99% | 98.7% | 91.8% |
Latest year breakdown
| In education | 98% |
|---|---|
| In apprenticeships | 1% |
| In employment | 0% |
Latest inspection: 28 February 2024
Local rivals appear first, followed by nearby alternatives where the journey and admissions route are still comparable.
Same Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area and similar boys' selective route
Same wider selective region and a similar admissions route
Closest comparable alternatives with a similar academic profile, so parents can weigh local fit and results together.
Similar Attainment 8 and Progress 8
Similar Attainment 8 and Progress 8
Similar Attainment 8 and Progress 8
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Best Grammar Schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Compare 4 Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole grammar schools for 2026: GCSE ranking table, Ofsted, Dorset route, admissions rules, competition, and school profiles.
Best Boys' Grammar Schools in the UK
Explore the best boys grammar schools in the UK with a national ranking parents can filter by county and Ofsted before comparing schools by route and journey.
Best Grammar Schools in the UK
Explore the best grammar schools in the UK with a national ranking that can be filtered by county, school type, and Ofsted before moving into local admissions detail.
Best Grammar Schools by A-level Results
Explore the best grammar schools by A-level results in the UK, ranked by the published share of students achieving AAB or better at A level.
Related guides are still being added.
FAQ
Bournemouth School currently uses GL Assessment.
1. Register for the consortium test: Complete the online Year 7 2027 test registration form between 13 April 2026 and 12 noon on 4 September 2026. 2. Submit any access-arrangements request: If your child needs access arrangements, submit the form by 12 noon on 7 September 2026. 3. Sit the entrance tests and await the result: One consortium test date applies for the four grammar schools. The entrance tests are on 26 September 2026 and results are emailed on 16 October 2026. 4. Apply through your home local authority: After the result is released, submit your school preferences through your home local authority by 31 October 2026.
Registration opens: 13 April 2026. Open evening: 9 July 2026. Registration closes: 4 September 2026, 12 noon. Access arrangements deadline: 7 September 2026, 12 noon. Test information sent to parents: 18 September 2026, By 4.00pm. Entrance tests: 26 September 2026. Results emailed: 16 October 2026, 4.00pm. Local-authority application deadline: 31 October 2026. Late testing registration closes: 29 January 2027, 12 noon. Late testing: 23 February 2027. Offer day: 1 March 2027
Bournemouth School is currently rated Outstanding following the latest published inspection dated 28 February 2024.