Schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
97 schools in 5 towns: how they were inspected, the best by phase, where places ran out, and the dates to apply.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole at a glance
- Schools
- 97 66 state primary, 23 state secondary, 1 sixth-form or college and 7 private. DfE Get Information about Schools, 17 October 2026.
- Good or Outstanding
- 94% 67 of the 71 state schools whose latest Ofsted inspection gave a grade. 9 more have the new report card, which gives no single grade. Ofsted, latest inspections.
- Oversubscribed in 2026
- 24 Of 74 state schools with DfE figures for 2026: more first preferences than places at entry (Reception or Year 7). DfE, school applications and offers, 2026.
- Offer distances held
- 0% How far the last place reached on offer day: held for 0 of 89 state schools that take an intake. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole's published offer-day figures.
The best schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Primary
| Place in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | School | Town | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Walburga's Catholic Primary School | Bournemouth | 1st (1/51) |
| 2 | Winton Primary School | Bournemouth | Top 4% (2/51) |
| 3 | Moordown St John's Church of England Primary School | Bournemouth | Top 6% (3/51) |
| 4 | Avonwood Primary School | Bournemouth | Top 8% (4/51) |
| 5 | Twynham Primary School | Christchurch | Top 10% (5/51) |
| 6 | Mudeford Junior School | Christchurch | Top 12% (6/51) |
| 7 | St Katharine's Church of England Primary School | Bournemouth | Top 14% (7/51) |
| 8 | Elm Academy | Bournemouth | Top 16% (8/51) |
| 9 | The Epiphany School | Bournemouth | Top 18% (9/51) |
| 10 | Queen's Park Academy | Bournemouth | Top 20% (10/51) |
Ranked on 2025 KS2 results: the share reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths. The same rank as the full Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole primary table (method). Source: DfE, key stage 2 school performance tables; table built 16 October 2026.
Secondary (GCSE)
| Place in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | School | Town | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bournemouth School for Girls | Bournemouth | 1st (1/22) |
| 2 | Bournemouth School | Bournemouth | Top 10% (2/22) |
| 3 | Poole Grammar School | Poole | Top 14% (3/22) |
| 4 | Parkstone Grammar School | Poole | Top 19% (4/22) |
| 5 | Glenmoor Academy | Bournemouth | Top 23% (5/22) |
| 6 | Winton Academy | Bournemouth | Top 28% (6/22) |
| 7 | Avonbourne Girls Academy | Bournemouth | Top 32% (7/22) |
| 8 | St Peter's Catholic Comprehensive School | Bournemouth | Top 37% (8/22) |
| 9 | Twynham School | Christchurch | Top 41% (9/22) |
| 10 | Poole High School | Poole | Top 46% (10/22) |
Ranked on 2026 GCSE results: Attainment 8, the average grade across eight GCSEs. The same rank as the full Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole secondary table (method). Source: DfE, key stage 4 school performance tables; table built 16 October 2026.
Towns
- Bournemouth 46 schools · best schools
- Broadstone 4 schools · best schools
- Christchurch 13 schools · best schools
- Poole 32 schools · best schools
- Wimborne 2 schools · best schools
All 5 towns in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, each with its schools →
Getting in
Starting Reception in September 2027
| Date | What | What to do | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 November 2026 | Reception applications open | The council's application form opens. Look at your schools' admission rules and open days now. | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council |
| 15 January 2027 | Primary applications close | Apply to your home council (where you live), listing your schools in order of preference. A late application is looked at after every on-time one. | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council |
| 16 April 2027 | Primary offer day | Offers arrive by email from your home council. Check which school you were offered. | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council |
Starting secondary school (Year 7) in September 2027
| Date | What | What to do | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 September 2026 | Year 7 applications open | The council's application form opens. Look at your schools' admission rules and open days now. | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council |
| 31 October 2026 | Secondary applications close | Apply to your home council (where you live), listing your schools in order of preference. A late application is looked at after every on-time one. | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council |
| 1 March 2027 | Secondary offer day | Offers arrive by email from your home council. Check which school you were offered. | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council |
Every Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole admission date · After offer day in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole: replies, waiting lists and appeals
We hold no catchment maps for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Many schools here admit by distance; the catchment finder says which maps cover a postcode.
Offer-day distances (how far the last place reached) are held for 0 of 89 state schools (0%). Could we get in? sets your distance beside them.
Private schools, fees and childcare
Private school fees in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole: we hold checked fees for 5 of 7 private schools.
Childcare costs, town by town. Nurseries in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole by Ofsted rating.
Every school in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Every school in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, town by town →
Your children and your home, with the schools, the distances and the dates that are yours.Open your plan
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Sources are named beside each figure. How we know · All sources.