The Cornerstone Academy
Poole, BH15 4BQ · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole · secondary school
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11th of 23 secondary schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole we can score, 24 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 — 8.1/10 against 534 of them, against 6.2/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 56.8 · 76 | 30% | 2.29 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.03 · 48 | 25% | 1.20 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 46.7 · 54 | 10% | 0.54 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Cornerstone Academy overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted, following an inspection in 2022-12. In 2024/25, 37.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 41.0, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.03 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.7 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 645 pupils against a stated capacity of 900. 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 close the gap between their current Attainment 8 score and the national median? What specific measures are in place to improve Progress 8 scores for students from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about The Cornerstone Academy
Overview
The Cornerstone Academy continues to be a good school, where pupils enjoy attending and meet high expectations for learning and behaviour. Leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum that prepares pupils well for future study, supported by effective teaching and a strong focus on personal development.
Strengths
- Pupils learn in a "calm and purposeful environment" due to the "absence of low-level disruption."
- The curriculum is "well planned and sequenced," enabling pupils to "gain detailed knowledge incrementally."
- Teaching effectively meets the needs of pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Leaders manage staff workload effectively, ensuring staff receive "support, encouragement and challenge."
- Pupils receive effective careers education and participate in a "purposeful character development programme."
Areas to improve
- The curriculum for pupils in the early stages of reading lacks a "sharp focus on ensuring that pupils gain the necessary phonics knowledge," hindering fluency and accuracy.
- Teaching does not always promote appropriate discussion, meaning pupils have "limited opportunity to articulate their learning" and debate subject content.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with leaders taking "judicious action to keep children safe" and collaborating with external agencies.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 40.7 |
| 2024/25 | 41.0 |
| 2025/26 | 46.7 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 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
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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