Poole Grammar School
School summary
A selective boys' grammar school in Poole, Poole Grammar combines strong academic outcomes with conduct and personal development that Ofsted rates as outstanding. With around 1,199 pupils against a capacity of 1,375, the school is large but not at full stretch, leaving a little room within its roll. It draws families who value a rigorous, structured environment, and admits boys at 11 through the Dorset Consortium. A modest free school meals figure of 5.3% sits alongside a notable 16.8% of pupils with English as an additional language.
How hard is it to get in?
Very competitive · 3 of 5 on the Passmate scale. Demand comfortably exceeds the 180 Year 7 places each year - a clear pass, not a borderline one, is what wins a place.
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
Free month · No payment needed
Latest results
Attainment 8
70.2
National average 46.9
GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)
96%
National average 47%
Inspection reports
- Ofsted overall
- Not judged
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour & attitudes
- Outstanding
- Last inspected
- 13 May 2025
Teaching & academics
Results are well above the national picture: an Attainment 8 score of 70.2 compares with a national average of 46.9, and 96% of pupils secure grade 5 or above in English and Maths against a national figure of 47%. Ofsted judges quality of education and sixth-form provision as good, and leadership as good. With a pupil-to-teacher ratio of about 18.4, this is an academically demanding setting that expects pupils to keep pace.
School life & ethos
- Religious character
- None
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 13.59%
- EHC plans
- 0.83%
- English as additional language
- 16.8%
- Free school meals
- 5.3%
Schools nearby
Parkstone Grammar School
Poole, South West
Bournemouth School
Bournemouth, South West
Bournemouth School for Girls
Bournemouth, South West
Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School
Salisbury, South West
South Wilts Grammar School
Salisbury, South West
The White House School
Poole, South West
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Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A high-performing boys' grammar where outstanding behaviour and personal development underpin consistently strong academic results.
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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Poole Grammar 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.