Bournemouth School
School summary
A selective boys' grammar in Bournemouth, this school carries an Outstanding judgement from Ofsted across every category, from quality of education to its sixth form. With roughly 1,284 pupils against a capacity of 1,100, it is a large and notably full school, which speaks to the demand for places. Entry at 11 is competitive: 150 places are offered through the Dorset Consortium, with assessment in English, Maths and Verbal Reasoning. A modest proportion of pupils receive free school meals (6.6%) and around 13% speak English as an additional language.
How hard is it to get in?
Highly competitive · 4 of 5 on the Passmate scale. Applications far outnumber the 150 Year 7 places each September, so exam performance matters more here than at most selective schools.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
Key dates · 2027 entry
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Latest results
Attainment 8
74.2
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
96%
National average 47%
Inspection reports
- Ofsted overall
- Outstanding
- Quality of education
- Outstanding
- Behaviour & attitudes
- Outstanding
- Last inspected
- 27 February 2024
Teaching & academics
Results sit far above national benchmarks. The average Attainment 8 score of 74.2 dwarfs the national figure of 46.9, and 96% of pupils secure grade 5 or above in English and Maths, against a national average of 47%. With every Ofsted measure rated Outstanding and a pupil-to-teacher ratio of about 18.9, this is a school built for academically able boys who will thrive on high expectations.
Languages
Headteacher · Dr Dorian Lewis
Beyond the classroom
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1901
- Religious character
- None
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 4.13%
- EHC plans
- 0.86%
- English as additional language
- 13.2%
- Free school meals
- 6.6%
Mobile phone policy
For students in Years 7-11 the school operates an 'on site, out of sight' policy: mobile phones and other electronic devices may not be used at any time between 08:00 and 15:30, and smartwatches are banned. Devices used in school are confiscated; Sixth Form students may use devices in the Sixth Form study centre and Le Bistro, and only when directed by a teacher during lessons.
Schools nearby
Bournemouth School for Girls
Bournemouth, South West
Poole Grammar School
Poole, South West
Parkstone Grammar School
Poole, South West
Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School
Salisbury, South West
South Wilts Grammar School
Salisbury, South West
Park School
Bournemouth, South West
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
An over-subscribed boys' grammar with exceptional results and a clean sweep of Outstanding ratings. Families confident in their son's readiness for the GL Assessment 11+ will find a great deal to recommend it.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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Bournemouth School 11+: frequently asked questions
Passmate rating: benchmarked against every selective school in England using official admissions data. It measures demand for places, not school quality. Updated July 2026.
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.