St Aldhelm's Academy
93%
Capacity
841
Pupils
1.4x
Demand
About St Aldhelm's Academy
St Aldhelm's Academy is a state-funded Does not apply secondary school serving the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 841 pupils on roll and is well-filled (93% of 900 places).
Ofsted has rated St Aldhelm's Academy "Good", the school is led by headteacher Nadine Lapskas, it falls under Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.58 is well below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 35.1. Additionally, ranked 2714th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 20th out of 21 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
St Aldhelm's Academy is a popular choice with families — it received 248 applications for 177 places, making it 1.4x oversubscribed. Of these, 120 were first-preference applications.
St Aldhelm's Academy has mixed reviews on SchoolParrot (2.7/5 from 1 parents).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 9 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 6 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Aldhelm's Academy include Playing Fields, Dining Hall, Tennis Courts, Music Rooms, Sports Hall, Library, Swimming Pool, Sixth Form Centre, Gymnasium, Art Studios, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Netball, Tennis, Badminton, Dance and 6 more, as well as clubs including Choir, Gardening, Coding, Model UN and 2 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 44.1%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, St Aldhelm's Academy is one of the options available in the South West region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Herbert Avenue, Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH12 4HS |
| Headteacher | Nadine Lapskas |
| Local Authority | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole |
| Number of Pupils | 841 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 44.1% |
| School Capacity | 841 / 900 (93% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
4 Nov 2021Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (4 Nov 2021): School remains Good
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 11 Apr 2016. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.58)
2714th of 3,141
Nationally
278th of 306
In South West
20th of 21
In Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
11Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
16Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed177
248
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
120 families put this school as their 1st choice (48% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Aldhelm's Academy
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
Contact Information
Herbert Avenue, Poole
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH12 4HS
Herbert Avenue, Poole
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH12 4HS
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Reviews on Other Platforms
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