Ages 
A well-run, purposeful grammar school with high expectations of its pupils and top-notch leadership. Bright boys get off to a winning start here.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,202 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 306 ·
- Religion
- None
- Local authority
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
- Area guides
Headteacher
Headteacher
Mrs. Katie Etheridge
Since September 2024, Mrs Katie Etheridge, who has worked at the school since 2005, starting as a geography teacher and rising to deputy head. She also qualified as a SENCo in 2018.
Entrance
In the past the entrance procedure was complex but the school website gives clear guidance on its admissions policy. ‘Admission is of approximately the top 16 per cent of the intellectual population,’ it says. School admits 180 year 7 pupils a year
- Admissions policy
- Academically selective state school
- Open days
- September and July
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Nearly 20 per cent leave after GCSEs, often heading to co-ed colleges like Bournemouth and Poole College and Brockenhurst College, or to an apprenticeship. Around 75 per cent to higher education, nearly half to Russell Group. Exeter, Southampton,
% 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 2024, 59 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 37 per cent A*/A at A level (64 per cent A*-B). In 2023, 58 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 43 per cent A*/A at A level (66 per cent A*-B).
% 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.
% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)
What is this?
Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.
Teaching & learning
The school is a specialist maths, computing and cognition college so not surprisingly maths is far and away the most popular subject at A level, followed by physics and history.
Most year 11s take 10 GCSEs, including English, English literature,
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
The school prides itself on its inclusivity and support. Around 13 per cent of boys are on the SEN register (for needs such as mild dyslexia, processing issues and autism spectrum disorders). Seven-strong learning support team works with boys
Arts & extracurricular
The arts are an integral part of school life. Impressive music department, with orchestras, bands and concerts galore. Lots of drama productions, often jointly with Parkstone Grammar, including Oliver! and Les Misérables in recent years. Good take-up
Sport
This is a very sporty school, with a raft of local and national titles to its name. Loads of silverware on display in reception bears testament to this. Football is the most popular sport but rugby, cricket, athletics and swimming are very successful
Ethos & heritage
Founded as a co-ed in 1904 but the council split it into Poole Grammar (boys) and Parkstone Grammar (girls) in the late 1930s. First situated in the centre of Poole, Poole Grammar moved to its current, spacious site between Broadstone and Canford
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Heads of year take responsibility for boys in each year group (boys also have a form tutor). Uniform of green blazers, white shirts, black or grey trousers (no ‘skinny’ styles) and ties for years 7 to 11 and shirts and ties for the sixth form. Boys
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 Main school students are not allowed to use their mobile phones anywhere on the school site, although exceptions will be made if there is a medical need to use their mobile phone, for example to monitor blood sugar levels. Sixth form students may use their mobile phones in lessons as a learning resource when specifically allowed to by the member of staff present. They may also use their mobile phones for educational purposes (and no other purpose) in the library and the sixth form study areas but they may not use their phones unsupervised anywhere else on site.
Pupils & parents
No feeder schools but many come from local primaries like Baden-Powell and St Peter’s, Oakdale, Longfleet and Broadstone Middle. A few arrive from local preps like Dumpton, Castle Court and The Yarrells. Around 2.5 per cent receive free school meals
The last word
A well-run, purposeful grammar school with high expectations of its pupils and top-notch leadership. Bright boys get off to a winning start here.
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Short inspection: Good
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Leadership and management | Good |
|---|---|
| Sixth form provision | Good |
Full inspection: Requires improvement
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
|---|---|
| Sixth form provision | Requires improvement |
