Schools in Poole

One of the world's largest natural harbours frames the southern edge of Poole, a seaport town on the Dorset coast with a continuous settlement stretching back to before the Iron Age. Today around 151,500 people live here.

The town's commercial fortunes grew through the wool trade from the 12th century and reached their peak in the 18th century when Poole ranked among Britain's busiest ports; the harbour was also one of the principal departure points for the Normandy landings in the Second World War. Parkstone, extending inland from the harbour's northern shores, is among the most sought-after neighbourhoods for school catchments. Canford Heath and Oakdale extend the residential spread northward, while Lytchett Minster sits just beyond the borough's western edge. Rail services from Poole station reach Southampton Central in around forty-five minutes on the South Western Main Line.