About Dorset Grammar Schools
Dorset hosts 5 grammar schools coordinated through the Bournemouth & Poole Grammar Schools Consortium: Bournemouth School (boys), Bournemouth School for Girls, Parkstone Grammar (girls), Poole Grammar (boys), plus other selective and partially-selective schools. The consortium runs a single shared test, making applications efficient for families.
History & Tradition
Bournemouth School (boys) was founded in 1901, Bournemouth School for Girls in 1918, Parkstone Grammar (1908), Poole Grammar (1904). All schools have continued as state grammars through the comprehensive reforms of the 1970s — Dorset retained selection in the Bournemouth/Poole conurbation.
The Entry Test
The Dorset 11+ uses a CEM-style format with English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Children sit a single test on one Saturday in late September.
Dorset 11+ at a Glance
7 Things You Should Know About Dorset Grammar Schools
Researched facts about the region's selective schools — drawn from official sources, school websites and education research.
- 1The Bournemouth & Poole Grammar Schools Consortium runs a single shared test for its 4 main grammars — simplifying applications.
- 2Bournemouth School (boys) and Bournemouth School for Girls share a campus area in Charminster — making sibling registrations straightforward.
- 3Poole Grammar (boys) and Parkstone Grammar (girls) form the Poole pair — both highly selective with rigorous academic programmes.
- 4Dorset grammars typically test in late September — after most other consortiums to allow children to settle into Year 6.
- 5All 4 Dorset grammars admit predominantly from Bournemouth, Poole, and surrounding Dorset — distance criteria become significant when oversubscribed.
- 6Dorset has no fully-selective LA — these 4 grammars are 'islands' within an otherwise comprehensive county.
- 7The Dorset 11+ pass mark is typically around 121 standardised — competitive but not as high as London or top Berkshire grammars.
| Rank | School Name | Gender | PAN | 11+ Exam | GCSE 9-7 | A-Level A*-B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bournemouth Collegiate School | Girls | — | GL Assessment | 60% | 70% | |
| Bournemouth School | Boys | 180 | GL Assessment | 66.8% | 67.9% | |
| Bournemouth School for Girls | Girls | 180 | GL Assessment | 64.4% | 61.7% | |
| Clayesmore School | Mixed | — | Independent | 70% | 50% | |
| Poole Grammar School (PGS) | Boys | 180 | GL Assessment | 57.1% | 63.9% |
Dorset Grammar Schools — Frequently Asked Questions
What 11+ exam do Dorset grammar schools use?
Most Dorset grammar schools admit pupils through the GL Assessment 11+. Check each school's row above, as some set their own entrance test or use a different exam board.
What makes Dorset grammar schools distinctive?
The Bournemouth & Poole Grammar Schools Consortium runs a single shared test for its 4 main grammars — simplifying applications.
What else should families know about the Dorset 11+?
Bournemouth School (boys) and Bournemouth School for Girls share a campus area in Charminster — making sibling registrations straightforward.
Nearby Regions
Many families consider grammars in neighbouring regions to maximise options. Explore: