Grammar schools in Dorset
There are no grammar schools in Dorset.
Grammar schools are state secondaries that select by ability, usually through an 11+ test. Only 46 of the 226 local authorities in the UK still have any — Dorset is one of the majority that does not, so local state secondaries admit without a selective test.
The nearest is Parkstone Grammar School, about 13.7 miles away in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Most grammar schools accept out-of-area applicants, though distance is often a tie-breaker when a school is oversubscribed.
Nearest grammar schools to Dorset
Straight-line distance from the centre of Dorset — not a travel time.
| School | Area | Distance | Intake | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parkstone Grammar School | Poole | 13.7 miles | Girls | Not judged |
| Poole Grammar School | Poole | 13.8 miles | Boys | Not judged |
| Bournemouth School | Bournemouth | 19.1 miles | Boys | Outstanding |
| Bournemouth School for Girls | Bournemouth | 19.3 miles | Girls | Outstanding |
| Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School | Salisbury | 28.5 miles | Boys | Outstanding |
| South Wilts Grammar School | Salisbury | 29.0 miles | Girls | Good |
Published admissions priorities
These are extracts from school-specific arrangements for the entry years shown, in priority order. They are not the full policy or a prediction of an offer. Check the linked arrangement for test eligibility, deadlines and all remaining priorities.
Parkstone Grammar School — 2026 entry
- Looked After/Previously Looked After Children (eligible = met the academic standard) (published source)
- Girls in the historic Borough of Poole (or BH12/13/14/15/16/17/18/21 postcodes) eligible for Pupil Premium (published source)
- Girls in the historic Borough of Poole / listed postcodes (not Pupil Premium) (published source)
Bournemouth School — 2026 entry
- Looked After/Previously Looked After Children (all given equal priority) (published source)
- Boys eligible for Pupil Premium, ranked by entrance test score (published source)
- A fixed quota of places assigned to the highest-scoring boys overall, regardless of catchment (published source)
Bournemouth School for Girls — 2026 entry
- Looked After/Previously Looked After Children (all given equal priority) (published source)
- Girls eligible for Pupil Premium, ranked by entrance test score (published source)
- 100 places assigned to the highest-scoring girls overall (out of PAN 180), regardless of catchment (published source)
Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School — 2026 entry
- Looked After/Previously Looked After Children (published source)
- Pupil Premium boys (Ever-6 FSM) at the time of the entry exam (published source)
- Boys permanently resident in the School's designated area (map-defined) (published source)
South Wilts Grammar School — 2026 entry
- Looked After/Previously Looked After Children (published source)
- Pupil Premium and/or Service Premium girls meeting the academic standard (published source)
- Girls in the School's catchment area, meeting the academic standard (published source)
Schools in Dorset
Dorset has 173 open schools. Browse all Dorset schools with Ofsted ratings, catchment areas and admission criteria, or see them on the map.
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