Poole Grammar School
About Poole Grammar School
Poole Grammar School sits third out of 21 secondary schools in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole local authority, placing it comfortably in the top quarter of schools nationally by Progress 8. It is a selective boys’ grammar school for ages 11 to 18, with a comprehensive sixth form, and it shares the upper ranks of the LA with Glenmoor Academy, The Bournemouth and Poole College, and Poole High School. The school is oversubscribed: for 2025/26 entry, it received 313 applications for 176 places, with 212 first-preference applications and 170 first-preference offers. That gives an oversubscription ratio of 1.78, meaning nearly two families apply for every place. The school is led by headteacher Katie Etheridge and its most recent Ofsted inspection, in May 2025, judged behaviour and attitudes and personal development as Outstanding, while quality of education, leadership and management, and sixth-form provision were all rated Good.
Key Details
The full report on this school
What 205 parents told Ofsted, the inspection in plain English, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
13 May 2025From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade in inspections of state-funded schools.
Source: Ofsted, 17 Jun 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
7Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
13Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
School day
Teaching hours
08:30 – 15:30
Source: poolegrammar.com. Extracted automatically — confirm with the school before relying on these times.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Poole Grammar School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices