Bournemouth School 11 Plus Guide
At a Glance
Assessment: GL Assessment
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Boys Only
Places per year: 150
Competition: High
Ofsted Rating: Outstanding
Bournemouth School
Bournemouth School is a selective state grammar school for boys aged 11–18 in Charminster, with girls admitted to its mixed sixth form. Founded in 1901, it is recognised for academic excellence, pastoral care and a wide range of enrichment opportunities in sport, music and clubs.
Rated Outstanding by Ofsted, the school promotes independence, confidence and community involvement through a rich curriculum and supportive staff. Around 1,200 pupils attend, with 150 Year 7 places available each year.
Entry is via the 11 Plus consortium exams in English, Maths and Verbal Reasoning, set by GL Assessment. Over 800 boys apply annually, making entry highly competitive. Applicants must reach a qualifying standard rather than a fixed pass mark, and if oversubscribed, priority is given to looked-after children, pupil premium applicants, siblings, and then by rank order of scores. The school also operates a defined ‘Priority Area’ catchment covering local postcodes BH1–BH11, BH12 5 and BH23 1–3.
Location & Contact Info
Contact details, address and parking information for Bournemouth School
Ofsted Report
Ofsted report breakdown for Bournemouth School
Exam Format
Learn about the 11 Plus exam format at Bournemouth School
Preparing for the 11 Plus
Help your child prepare with tips, exam papers, and featured tuition agencies
Key Dates
All key dates and application information for Bournemouth School
How to Apply
Information on the application process for Bournemouth School
FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers for Bournemouth School
Schools Nearby
Search for other schools in the local area
Bournemouth School Contact Information and More
Contact details, address, and parking information for Bournemouth School.
School Address
Full Address:
Bournemouth School, EastwayBournemouth
Dorset
BH8 9PY
Contact Information
Parking in the school
There is no on-site parking available for visitors, parents or pupils.
Additional parking off site
Parking is available on surrounding residential roads and at the nearby Sir David English Sports Centre.
Bournemouth School Ofsted Report
Quick Summary
Overall rating: Bournemouth School is judged Outstanding overall, with pupils flourishing in a culture of high expectations and achievement.
Academic strength: The school delivers an ambitious, well-structured curriculum that enables pupils to achieve remarkable depth of understanding and consistently high outcomes.
Teaching and curriculum: Teachers have excellent subject knowledge, use effective assessment, and adapt the curriculum to ensure all pupils build knowledge securely.
Behaviour and culture: Pupils’ behaviour is exemplary, creating a calm, orderly and respectful environment that supports focused learning
Leadership and safeguarding: Leaders and governors provide clear, ambitious direction, manage staff well, and maintain effective safeguarding arrangements to keep pupils safe.
Bournemouth School 11 Plus Exam Format
Bournemouth School belongs to a grammar school consortium with a shared 11 Plus exam, so your child only has to sit the test once, even if you apply to several schools in the group.
Bournemouth School 11 Plus Exam: Overview
Format
GL Assessment
The entrance exam consists of three multiple-choice papers in English, Maths and Verbal Reasoning, all designed to assess skills taught in the Key Stage 2 curriculum. Tests are sat in person on the same day across all consortium schools and are marked electronically using pre-printed answer sheets. Your child will take the exam at the school where you register, and the results will be shared across all four schools in the consortium to determine eligibility.
The Bournemouth GL 11+ - GL 11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
Bournemouth School does not publish a fixed pass mark. Instead, applicants must meet a qualifying standard in the 11 Plus exams. Meeting this standard makes a child eligible for consideration, but does not guarantee a place, as the school is usually oversubscribed. Where more applicants qualify than there are places, oversubscription criteria are applied.
Catchment Area
Bournemouth School defines its catchment as a designated ‘Priority Area’, which includes the following postcodes: BH1–BH11, BH12 5, and BH23 1–3.
Additional Eligibility
If more applicants achieve the qualifying standard than there are places available, Bournemouth School allocates places according to the following oversubscription criteria:
- Looked After and Previously Looked After Children
- Pupil Premium applicants who meet the required standard
- Siblings of boys already attending Bournemouth School
- All other eligible applicants, ranked by entrance exam score
The school also makes special provision for access arrangements and runs a separate late testing process for applicants with exceptional circumstances.
Click find out more about Bournemouth School’s admission policy.
Preparing for the 11 Plus Test at Bournemouth School
The 11 Plus exam is challenging, but you can support your child with the right preparation by following these steps.
Useful Tips
Start Early
Begin preparing in Year 4 or at the start of Year 5 to allow steady progress without unnecessary pressure.
Use Exam Papers
Work through timed practice papers to build familiarity with the format and strengthen exam technique.
Target Weak Areas
Track progress regularly and give extra attention to topics or question types that need improvement.
Encourage Daily Reading
Daily reading boosts vocabulary, comprehension, and critical thinking — all essential for the 11 Plus.
Make Use of Online Resources
Digital platforms offer personalised practice and feedback to make learning more effective and engaging.
Best Chance of Success
Consistent, well-organised, and encouraging preparation helps children feel confident and ready on exam day.
11 Plus Mock Exams in Your Area
We’re in the process of establishing local test centres to run in-person 11 Plus mock exams designed to mirror the format used by Bournemouth School. These sessions will give your child the chance to practise under real exam conditions, helping them build confidence and boost performance. While this service isn’t available yet, you can register your interest using the form below, and we’ll contact you as soon as mock exams are offered in your area.
Bournemouth School’s Key Dates
These are the key dates for the 2026 entry exam and application process.
Entrance Exam Registration Opens
Open Evening
Test Registration Deadline
Access Arrangements Form Deadline
Test Information Sent to Parents
Entrance tests
Results Released to Parents
Common Application Form Deadline
Late Testing Registration Deadline
Late Testing
Offer Day for On-Time Applicants
Bournemouth School Application Process
To apply for a Year 7 place, you’ll need to complete three key steps.
Admissions Policy 2026
Be sure to read the Bournemouth School Admissions Policy PDF so that you and your child are clear about the process and eligibility criteria.
View Admissions PolicyEntrance Test Registration Form
This form is available on Bournemouth School’s official website during the application period. It must be completed and submitted by 5th September 2025 (noon) for your child to be eligible to sit the entrance exam. Late submissions will not be accepted, and your child will not be considered for a place.
Visit School WebsiteCommon Application Form (CAF)
This form must be submitted to your local authority, with Bournemouth School listed as one of your preferences. The CAF deadline is 31st October 2025. Both forms must be completed — failure to submit either will result in an incomplete application.
Bournemouth School FAQs
To apply, you must complete two forms: the Bournemouth School Entrance Test Registration Form (available on the school’s website, deadline 5th September 2025 at noon) and the Common Application Form (CAF) through your local authority, listing Bournemouth School as a preference (deadline 31st October 2025). Both forms must be submitted on time for your application to be valid.
The entrance test is a GL Assessment made up of three multiple-choice papers in English, Maths, and Verbal Reasoning, based on the Key Stage 2 curriculum. The exams are sat in person on the same day across all consortium schools, and results are shared to determine eligibility.
Entry is highly competitive. The school offers 150 Year 7 places but receives over 800 applications each year, meaning more than five applicants compete for every place. Meeting the qualifying standard does not guarantee an offer, as oversubscription rules are applied.
Yes. Bournemouth School defines its catchment as a ‘Priority Area’, covering the following postcodes: BH1–BH11, BH12 5, and BH23 1–3. Applicants living within this area may receive priority if oversubscription occurs.