Bayside Academy
POOLE, BH16 5AH · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole · primary school
Check the area around this school
47th of 50 primary schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole we can score, 66 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 3.6/10 against 1,037 of them, against 2.8/10 nationally. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 60.0 · 39 | 40% | 1.56 |
| Ofsted | 7 | 35% | 0.24 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Bayside Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 60.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. The higher standard was reached by 0.0% of pupils, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (3.6 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.8 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in March 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 180 pupils against a stated capacity of 270. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to reach the higher standard in maths? What specific areas did the March 2026 inspection highlight for improvement?
What Ofsted said about Bayside Academy
Overview
Bayside Academy is a welcoming and inclusive school where new leaders have taken swift action to address longstanding weaknesses. While early years provision is strong and Year 6 results are improving, the report notes that it is "too soon to see the full impact" of recent curriculum changes across the whole school. Consequently, some pupils are not yet achieving well enough in writing or lower key stages.
Strengths
- Safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are actively identified and managed.
- Early years children get off to a "positive start" in a "language-rich environment" with warm, caring staff relationships.
- Attendance and behaviour are at an "Expected standard," with a "generally calm and orderly environment" supported by high expectations.
- Reading is a strength, with staff teaching phonics effectively so pupils become "confident and fluent readers."
- Disadvantaged pupils in mathematics achieve "significantly higher than their peers nationally."
Areas to improve
- Leaders must develop staff expertise in assessment to "identify and address misconceptions swiftly" across subjects.
- Staff need to build subject knowledge to ensure teaching consistently enables all pupils to achieve well from their starting points.
- Pupils require more support and practice to develop accuracy and fluency in writing, particularly in "handwriting, spelling and punctuation."
Safeguarding
The report confirms that safeguarding standards are met, ensuring pupils are "made safer and feel safe" through an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 45% |
| 2023/24 | 42% |
| 2024/25 | 60% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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