Ages 
Provides opportunities for girls to find their niche in addition to plenty of academic challenge. Girls are happy and confident in their friendship groups and fully accepting of others around them. There is an appreciation of being in an unpretentious academic environment. An ideal place for self-motivated types willing to learn and participate in all aspects of school life.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,303 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 360 ·
- Religion
- None
- Local authority
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
- Area guides
Headteacher
Headteacher
David Hallsworth
Since 2019, David Hallsworth BEd, previously deputy and then acting head. Educated in Bridgend, Wales, he entered education as a way of combining a career with a passion for rugby. First post at Bishops Wordsworth Grammar, Salisbury, teaching
Entrance
Oversubscribed, with nearly 400 applications for the 192 year 7 places (numbers can creep up to 33 in some lower school classes). Multiple choice English, maths and verbal reasoning tests in late September. Applicants come from over 40 feeder
- Admissions policy
- Academically selective state school
- Open days
- November (sixth form); July (whole school)
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Around three-quarters stay for sixth form. Most to university, half to Russell Group with Cardiff, Exeter, Southampton and Bournemouth most popular. Five to Oxbridge and ten medics in 2025; none overseas, though there are in some years. Head stresses
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
What is this?
The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.
Latest results
In 2025, 56 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 43 per cent A*/A at A level (75 per cent A*-B).
GCSE - % of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
A levels or equivalent - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
As an oversubscribed selective grammar, the school expects high grades and self-motivation from pupils, although no suggestion of pressure from teachers. Homework demands refreshingly light. Pupils say they ‘like how academic it is’, and that ‘you
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
This is the school of choice for many parents looking to combine SEN support with academic rigour. It now has close to one in five pupils identified as needing some level of support and it’s an area that has fast risen up the agenda. Additional staff
Arts & extracurricular
A wonderfully active music department. Over 250 students in various groups running the gamut from orchestra and concert band to strings, guitar ensembles and even hand chimes. Choirs ranging from chamber to rock. International trip every other year,
Sport
Results are impressive, with numerous teams picking up honours across the SW region. County netball, cross country, cricket and football champions across varying age groups. National finalists in football, athletics, and swimming – although the
Ethos & heritage
Founded in 1905 as a mixed school for 57 pupils, the school became all-girls in 1934 and moved to its present site in 1961. Clearly designed with functionality in mind, the buildings are capable of housing the exponential growth in numbers, if not
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Safeguarding lead reports three times the number of cases as in previous years. Structures are in place to deal with extreme cases and wellbeing staff receive universal praise from pupils, although support at tutor level can be patchy. Wellbeing
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Mobile phones and other personal electronic devices are banned from being used on the school site, until 16:30, by students in years 7-11.
Mobile phones and personal electronic devices are allowed to be bought into school, but this is at the student’s own risk, and they must be stored switched off either in their bag or locker (not in a blazer pocket).
Sixth Formers may use their phones responsibly but not in corridors, locker areas or in the canteen at break or lunchtime.
Pupils & parents
Draws pupils from a catchment stretching from the affluence of Sandbanks to significantly more under-privileged areas, encompassing children whose parents will not have attended university and those who have chosen the school over local independent
The last word
Provides opportunities for girls to find their niche in addition to plenty of academic challenge. Girls are happy and confident in their friendship groups and fully accepting of others around them. There is an appreciation of being in an
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Full inspection:
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Personal development | Good |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Sixth form provision | Good |
Full inspection: Outstanding
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
|---|---|
| Sixth form provision | Outstanding |
