Bournemouth School

A state grammar school that has turned academic excellence into a 125-year tradition. Bournemouth School delivers results that sit comfortably alongside many fee-paying independents, ranking 246th in England for GCSE outcomes and placing first in Bournemouth. The February 2024 Ofsted inspection awarded Outstanding across every category, confirming what local families have long suspected: this is one of the South West's strongest schools. Boys dominate the main school, with girls joining a co-educational sixth form that now comprises roughly one third female students. The 11-plus entrance test draws over 300 candidates annually for 180 Year 7 places, making preparation essential for most families.

The school's Latin motto may have been quietly retired, but the values it represented persist. The stated framework is simple: respect, smart appearance, discipline and hard work — set out plainly and enforced consistently. Dr Dorian Lewis, the eighth Headmaster since 1901, has led the school since 2009, bringing experience as both a former deputy head at Queen Elizabeth's School, Wimborne, and as a parent of Bournemouth School pupils. He continues to teach A-level chemistry alongside his leadership duties.

The site at East Way, occupied since 1939, carries layers of history. Memorial boards in the entrance hall commemorate former pupils who fell in two world wars. The 1968 sixth form block houses the library and lecture theatre. A fire destroyed the original school hall in 1973; the rebuilt version opened in 1975. More recent additions include the 2006 mathematics block and, most significantly, a £4.5 million expansion completed in 2023. The campus shares playing fields with Bournemouth School for Girls, an arrangement that extends to joint productions and Combined Cadet Force activities.

Inspectors noted that pupils flourish at this exceptional school. Students conduct themselves in an exemplary manner, debating and discussing issues respectfully. They value and celebrate commonalities and differences in each other, leaving them well prepared to be active and responsible members of society. The house system, introduced in 1992, runs vertically across year groups, building connections between older and younger students through competitions in sport, music, chess, and speech.

GCSE Performance

Results place Bournemouth School firmly in the top tier. The 2024 cohort achieved 64% grades 9-7, with an Attainment 8 score of 73.3. These figures position the school 246th in England (FindMySchool ranking), comfortably within the top 6% of secondary schools in England. Locally, the school ranks first among Bournemouth secondaries, outperforming all comprehensive alternatives.

The Progress 8 score of +0.71 demonstrates that boys make substantially above-average progress from their starting points, adding significant value beyond what might be expected from a selective intake. The EBacc average point score of 6.99 reflects the school's commitment to traditional academic subjects, with 74% of pupils achieving grades 5 or above in the full EBacc suite.

All students follow eleven GCSE subjects, structured around the EBacc curriculum. Mathematics is particularly strong; all but a handful sit the higher tier paper, reflecting both confidence and capability in the subject.

A-Level Performance

At A-level, the school achieves 63% grades A*-B, with 42% at A*/A. This places Bournemouth School 427th in England for sixth form outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), within the top 17% of sixth forms in England and second in Bournemouth. While these figures sit slightly below GCSE performance in relative terms, they remain well above the England average of 47% at A*-B.

Around half the sixth form study four A-levels. The remainder take three A-levels plus an enhancement option: Core Mathematics, the Extended Project Qualification, or a CREST Gold Science Award (typically involving around 90 hours of independent research). Mathematics draws the largest cohort, with up to two thirds of students taking it at A-level.

Teachers have excellent subject knowledge, applying it through structured lesson sequences that help students retrieve and apply learning successfully. The curriculum emphasises depth over breadth; boys gain a remarkable understanding of the subjects they study, cooperating consistently well in lessons.

A current focus on reading improvement has reshaped the timetable for Year 7, adding an extra English lesson. The Dystopian Challenge encourages boys to read as many dystopian novels as possible, supported by a book group that meets regularly. Science teaching is delivered by specialists from Year 7, with Dr Lewis himself teaching A-level chemistry.

Setting in mathematics begins in Year 4, although for most subjects the grammar school intake means mixed-ability teaching works effectively. Class sizes average around 19 pupils in the main school, though A-level sets run smaller. The Learning Centre, equipped with beanbags and computers, offers lunchtime drop-in support in English, mathematics, and sciences. Around 35 students are registered for SEN support, with provision mainly classroom-based.

Approximately 80% of Year 13 leavers progress to university, with half of those heading to Russell Group institutions. Cardiff, Bristol, Exeter, and Bath prove consistently popular. Oxbridge outcomes are modest for a school of this calibre: 17 students applied in the most recent measurement period, yielding one offer and one acceptance. This places some distance between Bournemouth School and the most academically ambitious independents, though the school's state sector status makes direct comparison unfair.

The 2024 leavers cohort saw 61% progressing to university, with 7% entering apprenticeships and 20% moving directly into employment. These figures reflect a broader distribution than many selective schools, partly explained by the school's widening participation ethos and the strong local job market.

Medical school remains a significant destination, with a handful of students securing places each year. The school runs a Medical Society (MedSoc) at lunchtime, led by sixth formers, and students have accessed programmes including the LSE Springboard and Cambridge Law Experience.

Year 7 Entry

Bournemouth School participates in a consortium with Bournemouth School for Girls, Parkstone Grammar School, and Poole Grammar School. Sitting one test covers all four schools, saving families from multiple examination days.

The 11-plus comprises three papers: Mathematics (50 minutes), English (45 minutes), and Verbal Reasoning (50 minutes). All are multiple choice. Mathematics covers Key Stage 2 content; English tests comprehension, vocabulary, and punctuation; Verbal Reasoning assesses academic potential without relying on prior knowledge. Scores are age-standardised to avoid disadvantaging younger candidates.

For September 2026 entry, registration opened on 22 April 2025 and closed on 5 September 2025. Tests took place on 20 September 2025, with results announced on 10 October 2025. The local authority application deadline fell on 31 October 2025. Late registration closes on 30 January 2026, with late testing on 24 February 2026. Offers are posted on 2 March 2026.

Competition is significant. The school received 332 applications for 178 places in the most recent cycle, a subscription ratio of 1.87. Priority is given to looked-after children and to Pupil Premium applicants; remaining places are then offered within the priority area defined by postcodes BH1-BH12 5 and parts of BH23. The school works with Atom Learning to provide free online preparation for pupils eligible for pupil premium.

Sixth Form Entry

Up to 70 external places are available annually, open to both boys and girls. Entry requires grade 5 in English Language and Mathematics, plus a Best 8 GCSE score of 48 points or more (roughly equivalent to eight grade 6s). Individual subjects require grade 6 or above in that subject or a related discipline. Some combinations are compulsory: Physics requires Mathematics A-level.

The Expression of Interest deadline for September 2026 entry is 31 January 2026. Following GCSE results on 20 August 2026, the application window opens at 8am and closes the next morning at 10am. Places are confirmed by 5pm the same day. This rapid turnaround reflects the competitive nature of external applications.

Student wellbeing is a stated priority. The Hub, an area near reception, provides access to pastoral assistants throughout the school day. The vertical house system builds relationships across year groups, with older students mentoring younger ones. A residential trip in Year 7 mixes water sports with team-building challenges and helps new arrivals settle.

Behaviour and discipline are generally strong. Inspectors confirmed this judgement, noting that pupils conduct themselves in an exemplary manner. The school operates clear expectations around uniform and mobile phones: devices can be brought in, but they must stay out of sight during the day, with sixth formers permitted limited use in designated areas.

The SENDCo, Mrs R Issott, serves on the senior leadership team as Assistant Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead. Around 1% of students have an EHCP; 4% receive SEN support, primarily for autism spectrum conditions and specific learning difficulties.

Sport

The Sir David English Sports Centre, built in 1999 and named after the former Daily Mail editor who attended the school, provides outstanding facilities. An eight-badminton-court sports hall accommodates multiple activities simultaneously. The cardiovascular gymnasium, four floodlit tennis courts, and a floodlit 3G rubber crumb astroturf pitch extend capacity. The playing fields comprise three rugby pitches, two football pitches, a 400-metre running track, and two cricket squares.

Football, rugby and cricket are the core team sports, with netball available for sixth form girls. After-school clubs include badminton, fencing, basketball, table tennis and judo. Representative teams compete at local, regional, and national level. Six dedicated sports staff run the programme.

Music

Eight practice rooms and a recording studio support an active department. Visiting teachers offer tuition in violin, viola, flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, guitar, drums, voice, and piano. Ensemble opportunities include Orchestra, Concert Band, Big Band, Chamber Choir, Barbershop, String Quartet, and three rock groups. Concerts run each term. Joint productions with Bournemouth School for Girls alternate yearly.

Clubs and Societies

Lunchtime offerings span Design Technology, Book Club, Warhammer, Art Club, Science Club, Poetry by Heart, and the Philosophical Society. The staff-led Dungeons and Dragons club meets in the library; sixth formers lead MedSoc. After-school options include the History Film Club and Robotics Club. Oasis, the Christian Union, provides a faith-based community for interested students.

Combined Cadet Force and Scouts

Bournemouth School is one of very few state schools with a Combined Cadet Force. Over 300 members serve across Army, Navy, and RAF sections, meeting on Thursdays for drill, fieldcraft, and specialist training. Annual camps and overseas expeditions offer wider horizons.

The Scout troop includes a Royal Navy Sea Scout section, one of only 101 nationally recognised groups. Royal Navy links provide access to military sites, warships, and national competitions. Both CCF and Scouts compete in the annual Ten Tors expedition.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

The school is a licensed Duke of Edinburgh centre, running groups from Year 9. Participants develop physical fitness, learn new skills, undertake voluntary work, and complete group expeditions at Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels.

The school day runs from approximately 8:30am to 3:30pm, with after-school activities extending availability. The site at East Way, Charminster, is accessible by bus from across Bournemouth and the surrounding area. On-site parking is limited; many students cycle or walk.

Entrance competition is real. With nearly 1.9 applications per place, many able boys will not secure entry. Tutoring is common, though the school does not officially recommend it and works to reduce its advantage through test design. Families should prepare for the emotional stakes of the 11-plus process.

The traditional ethos is explicit. The stated values (respect, smart appearance, discipline and hard work) are enforced consistently. Boys uncomfortable with formality or clear expectations may find the culture demanding.

Sixth form gender balance remains skewed. Although girls have been admitted since 2012, the sixth form is still roughly two thirds male. Female students joining externally should consider whether this ratio suits them.

Oxbridge outcomes are modest. For a school with these GCSE results, the single Oxbridge acceptance in the measurement period may disappoint families with the highest aspirations. Russell Group destinations are strong, but the very top tier proves harder to crack.

Bournemouth School delivers grammar school education at its best: rigorous academics, strong pastoral care, and extensive extracurricular opportunities, all without fees. The Outstanding Ofsted rating confirms what results already demonstrate. Boys who thrive on structure, competition, and intellectual challenge will flourish here. The main hurdle is entry; for families who secure a place, the education rivals many independents. Best suited to academically able boys within the priority postcodes who respond well to traditional expectations and want a school that takes both results and character seriously.