Parkstone Grammar School
Poole, BH17 7EP · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole · Grammar school
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6th 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 the 307 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.0/10 among them, against 9.0/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 90.9 · 96 | 46% | 4.45 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.43 · 81 | 38% | 3.10 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 67.6 · 96 | 15% | 1.48 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Parkstone Grammar School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 90.3% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 68.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.43 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did better than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.0 out of 10 among them, against 9.0 out of 10 nationally.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Coding, Astronomy, Law and Debate, Christian Union, Handchimes, Gardening, and Zoology clubs. Sports include Football, Netball, Cricket, Table tennis, and Trampolining. Arts and music offerings feature Musicals, Plays, Orchestra, Concert band, Brass group, Chamber choir, and individual music lessons.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,241 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,300. 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 maintain their progress scores relative to similar-intake peers? What specific support is available for students aiming to exceed the national median in Attainment 8?
What Ofsted said about Parkstone Grammar School
Overview
Pupils are described as “proud” of the school, enjoying a “very high standard of behaviour” that creates “excellent conditions for learning.” The report highlights a “wide-ranging” curriculum and effective support for pupils with special educational needs, though it notes inconsistencies in how teaching responds to gaps in understanding.
Strengths
- Behaviour is rated “Outstanding,” with pupils being “happy and content” and showing strong commitment to their learning.
- The curriculum is “wide-ranging,” encouraging pupils to consider diverse viewpoints, with a “well-developed programme of enrichment activities” in the sixth form.
- Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is “quick and effective,” with adaptations made to both curriculum and teaching.
- Careers education is “very effective,” with the vast majority of pupils continuing in education or securing apprenticeships after leaving.
- Attendance is “significantly above the national average,” with clear improvements recently seen among disadvantaged pupils.
Areas to improve
- Teaching must be “consistently responsive” when checks reveal pupils’ understanding is not secure, rather than introducing new content prematurely.
- Strategic development work requires a more “incisive analysis” of pupil experience data to ensure improvement strategies are focused effectively.
- The school needs greater clarity on which ideas and values pupils are learning well within the wellbeing programme of study.
Safeguarding
The report states that “the arrangements for safeguarding are effective.”
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 67.8 |
| 2024/25 | 68.5 |
| 2025/26 | 67.6 |
| 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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