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Bournemouth School
Bournemouth School is a boys' grammar school in Dorset. Boys join at Year 7 after sitting the GL 11+ exam, which does not include an interview stage. The school has a priority catchment area covering specific BH postcodes.
If your son is academically able, ready to work, and does best with clear structure rather than a loose, do-as-you-please environment, Bournemouth School is worth a serious look. It is a boys' grammar in Charminster with a co-educational sixth form, opening in January 1901 with 54 boys and moving to its present East Way site in 1939. The wartime history is striking: in June 1940, around 800 French soldiers evacuated from Dunkirk were temporarily billeted in the school, with one form room used as a makeshift hospital for the more seriously wounded. The place has seen a thing or two.
Among its former pupils is Christian Bale, who left at sixteen to pursue acting, quickly rising from school plays to a role in Spielberg's Empire of the Sun, and later to Batman in the Dark Knight trilogy. The school is plain about what it expects from those who follow: hard work, discipline, smart appearance and respect, with high standards for learning, conduct and community. Its houses are named after Darwin, Elgar, Newton, Scott and Turner — which tells you something about the school's sense of its own ambitions.
It suits a motivated boy who responds to high standards and will take pride in his school rather than coast through it. Families looking for a traditional, well-ordered grammar with a settled culture tend to feel quickly at home here.
Key facts
Admissions
Registration form
Sibling policy
No
What this school tests
Dorset Consortium 11+ Entrance Test
English15 question types
Maths23 question types
Verbal Reasoning26 question types
Catchment area
Does Bournemouth School have a catchment area?
Yes, they do. For Bournemouth School, priority catchment area is defined by the postal addresses of BH1, BH2, BH3, BH4, BH5, BH6, BH7, BH8, BH9, BH10, BH11, BH12 5, BH23 1, BH23 2 and BH23 3.
Previous exam results
GCSE results
In 2025 students achieved an average Attainment 8 score of 74.2 across their GCSEs. 96% gained a grade 5 or better in both English and Maths. 80.5% achieved the English Baccalaureate at grade 5 or above. Reference: https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/
A-level results
In 2025 students achieved a B average grade per A-Level entry. 28.3% gained AAB or better including two facilitating subjects. Reference: https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/
Frequently asked questions
What exam board does Bournemouth School use for the 11+?
Bournemouth School uses the GL exam board for its 11+ entrance examination.
Does Bournemouth School interview as part of the 11+?
No, Bournemouth School does not include an interview stage as part of its 11+ entrance process.
Is Bournemouth School co-educational or single-sex for 11+ entry?
Bournemouth School is a single-sex boys' grammar school for 11+ entry. It has a co-educational sixth form.
Does Bournemouth School have a catchment area for 11+ entry?
Yes, Bournemouth School has a priority catchment area. This includes postal addresses BH1, BH2, BH3, BH4, BH5, BH6, BH7, BH8, BH9, BH10, BH11, BH12 5, BH23 1, BH23 2, and BH23 3.
What is Bournemouth School's official website?
The official website for Bournemouth School is https://www.bournemouth-school.org/.
How do you get a place at Bournemouth School?
To be considered, a child first needs to reach the required standard in the Bournemouth School entrance test, which covers English, maths and verbal reasoning. If more children reach the standard than there are places, places go in this order: looked-after and previously looked-after children, then children eligible for Pupil Premium, then children living in the catchment area, then sons of staff, then all other qualifying children. Within each group, places are ranked by test score. There is no sibling priority.
What happens if my child is ill on 11+ test day at Bournemouth School?
If your child cannot sit the test because of illness, bereavement or other reasons beyond your control, the consortium arranges testing as soon as it can. You will need to provide evidence, such as a letter from a GP. Children tested late are considered alongside those who sat on the original date. If your child has a special educational need, disability or an Education, Health and Care Plan, complete the access arrangements form and send it with supporting evidence to the school.
Location
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