Bournemouth School 11+
Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for Bournemouth School.
How to get into Bournemouth School
Bournemouth School is a selective secondary school in Dorset. To get into Bournemouth School children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into Bournemouth School with all the important information you need to know.
Admission Requirements
Children born between 1st September 2014 and 31st August 2015 are eligible for Year 7 entry in September 2026 (see key dates). The school offers 180 places annually for Year 7 entry [1].
Bournemouth School is a boys' grammar school with a mixed sixth form, founded in 1901. It's rated 'outstanding' by Ofsted and is located at East Way, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH8 9PY [1].
Bournemouth School's catchment area is known as a 'Priority Area', covering postcodes BH1, BH2, BH3, BH4, BH5, BH6, BH7, BH8, BH9, BH10, BH11, BH12 5, BH23 1, BH23 2, BH23 3. Families living outside this area may still apply but places are prioritised for those within the catchment.
Application Process
There is one set of selection tests for Bournemouth School, Bournemouth School for Girls, Parkstone Grammar School and Poole Grammar School (the consortium). This saves children from taking multiple tests for those schools [1].
All applicants to a consortium school must complete a registration form to be eligible to sit the entrance tests. Year 7 2026 registrations will open on Tuesday, 22 April 2025 (see key dates) [1].
Families must then apply through their local authority using the Common Application Form (CAF). To apply to Bournemouth School, families need to name the school as one of their preferred schools on the secondary school common application form, which will be available on their home council website from early September and must be submitted by 31st October 2025 (see key dates).
- Register for the Dorset 11+ examination via the school website from 22nd April 2025
- Submit test registration by 5th September 2025 (see key dates)
- Complete the Common Application Form through the local authority by 31st October 2025
- Contact the school information section for specific guidance
The Dorset 11+ Examination
Your child will take the Dorset 11 plus entrance test on Saturday 20th September 2025 and receive their results on Friday 5th October 2025 (see key dates). Students take tests in Mathematics, English and Verbal Reasoning [1].
All the tests are set to be appropriate for students in their final year of the Key Stage 2 national curriculum. All questions in the Dorset 11 plus are multiple-choice, with separate answer sheets that are marked electronically.
Test Structure:
- Mathematics paper based on Key Stage 2 curriculum - 50 minutes
- English paper testing comprehension, vocabulary and punctuation - 45 minutes
- Verbal Reasoning test designed to analyse academic potential - families are strongly advised to ensure children are familiar with this component
How Places Are Allocated
Children's marks in the Dorset 11 plus are age-standardised to ensure younger children aren't disadvantaged. All children's standardised scores are placed in rank order from highest to lowest, and Bournemouth School sets a qualifying score based on this ranked list [1].
If the number of children who achieve the qualifying score exceeds the 180 places available, Bournemouth School applies oversubscription criteria. In each category, places are allocated based on rank order of the child's 11+ score. If two or more children have the same test score, places are prioritised based on how close the child lives to the school.
Being considered eligible for a place at a consortium school does not mean that a place will be allocated as the schools are usually oversubscribed [1].
Preparation Guidance
For children aged 10–11, child psychologists recommend regular study sessions of 20–30 minutes. It's important to build a good knowledge base before the 11 plus using a 'little and often' approach, as our brains encode new information more effectively when dealing with smaller 'chunks' of information.
Families seeking free preparation resources should visit 11+ practice papers. For tutoring support, families can explore 11+ tutor options. Pupils who consistently score 80%+ in 11+ practice tests should be on track to pass the test, though there are no guarantees.
The annual open evening is the best opportunity to obtain relevant information about joining Bournemouth School in Year 7. Families should make every effort to attend this important event to hear from the Headmaster, meet staff and students, and tour the school site [1].
Practical Advice
The tests may only be taken once by any student at any one consortium school. Where a child is unable to sit the entrance tests through illness, bereavement or other circumstances beyond parental control, the consortium will make arrangements for testing as soon as practicable, with evidence required [1].
Results will be emailed to parents, so it is vital that families ensure their email address is correctly entered on the test registration form. The school will advise parents whether their child is eligible or ineligible for a place at a Bournemouth or Poole Grammar School based on test results.
For backup school options in Dorset, families should research comprehensive schools in their local authority area. Families are strongly advised to ensure children are familiar with verbal reasoning questions as they may not have encountered such questions before.
For specific contact information and further guidance, families should refer to the school information section for current details.
Special Considerations
Families requiring access arrangements or special considerations for the examination should contact the school directly through the school information section. The consortium makes arrangements for testing when children cannot sit exams due to circumstances beyond parental control [1].
If families are unable to attend the open evening, brief tours may be arranged at other times by contacting the school. The school maintains high academic standards while offering an extensive extracurricular programme including representative teams, house sports, surfing, fencing and martial arts.
Dorset 11+ Information
In order to get into Bournemouth School, children need to pass the Dorset 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.
Dorset 11+ Subjects & Structure
The Dorset 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:
- Maths
- English
- Verbal reasoning
The Dorset Consortium 11 plus entrance exam is the admissions test used by Bournemouth School to assess prospective students. This comprehensive examination consists of three distinct papers designed to evaluate the candidate's abilities in key academic areas.
The exam includes a 50-minute Maths test, a 45-minute English assessment, and a 50-minute Verbal Reasoning section. Each of these papers is composed entirely of multiple-choice questions, allowing for an objective evaluation of the student's skills and knowledge.
To record their responses, students are provided with separate answer sheets, which are then electronically marked to ensure accuracy and efficiency in the grading process. This standardized approach to testing and scoring enables the school to identify the most suitable candidates for admission.
Other Schools using Dorset 11+
As well as Bournemouth School, several other schools also use Dorset 11+. These are:
Dorset 11+ Marking Process
The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Bournemouth School is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.
Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.
Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.
It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!
Dorset 11+ Pass Mark
The pass mark for the Dorset 11+ changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).
Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at Bournemouth School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.
Key Dates for the Bournemouth School 11+ Entrance Tests
Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into Bournemouth School) as well as other relevant dates.
| Date | Event | Calendar Link |
|---|---|---|
| 22/04/2025 | Dorset 11 Plus Registration Opens | Add Dates to Calendar |
| 05/09/2025 | Dorset 11 Plus Registration Closes | |
| 20/09/2025 | Dorset 11 Plus Exam Day | |
| Early October | Parents Receive Dorset 11 Plus Results | |
| Late October | National Deadline To Apply For School Places | |
| 02/03/2026 | National Offers Day |
Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Bournemouth School as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for Bournemouth School
As the Dorset 11+ entrance process is particularly gruelling, we would highly recommend using an 11+ private tutor.
Why use a private 11+ tutor?
Personal tutors have the experience and expertise to help children pass their 11+ exams. They know the requirements of the GL Assessment 11+ tests inside-out and can provide tailored support to give children the best possible chance of success. It's also important to bear in mind that plenty of other children will be using private tutors too.
11+ tutors don't need to be face-to-face, plenty of children use online 11+ tutors.
11+ tutors can also provide regular progress reports and feedback, helping parents to monitor their child's progress and make any necessary adjustments to their preparation.
Most importantly, using an 11+ tutor helps ensure that the preparation work gets done!
Private 11+ Tutors for the Bournemouth School 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Bournemouth School 11+ entrance tests. Please click here to be put in touch with a range of excellent 11+ private tutors from our friends at exams.courses.
11+ Past Papers for Bournemouth School
Unfortunately, Bournemouth School has not made any of their 11+ past papers publicly available. However, you can use However, you can use 11+ practice papers from other exam boards (such as GL Assessment, CEM and CSSE) to help your child prepare.
11+ Practice Papers for Bournemouth School
Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the Dorset 11+ Ensure you double-check with Bournemouth School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.
This is just a sample of our extensive collection of 11+ practice papers. Please click here to see the full collection.
11+ Practice Papers for Bournemouth School by Bond
These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by Bond and cover and cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. As such they are very helpful for children hoping to pass the Dorset 11+ to get into Bournemouth School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for Bournemouth School by GL Assessment
These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by GL Assessment themselves. As with the Bond papers, they cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. They remain useful and we encourage parents to download and use them with their children to help them get into Bournemouth School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | |||
| GL Assessment | Maths | |||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for Bournemouth School by Exam Ninja
These Free 11+ Practice Tests by Exam Ninja are extremely useful. They are straight-forward 10-question tests in Maths and English, following the same GL Assessment style (and multiple-choice format) as the Dorset 11+.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | English |
11+ Practice Papers for Bournemouth School by Owl Tutors
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by Owl Tutors. These too are written in a GL Assessment style and make useful practice for children hoping to get into Bournemouth School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Writing | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Bournemouth School by CGP
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. As with the Bond, GL Assessment and Exam Ninja papers, they're written for the GL Assessment style, in multiple-choice format and are helpful for children hoping to pass their 11+ tests and get into Bournemouth School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | |||
| GL Assessment | English | |||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
These Free CEM 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. If Bournemouth School ever used them then they don't anymore as grammar schools no longer use CEM for any of their 11+ entrance tests. However, as a general practice tool these 11+ tests remain useful.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEM | Maths | |||
| CEM | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| CEM | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Bournemouth School by 11+ For You
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "11+ For You".
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Bournemouth School by Examberry
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "Examberry".
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Bournemouth School by Independent Junction
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by Independent Junction.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Bournemouth School by IPS
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by IPS (Internet Primary School Ltd).
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Maths |
11+ Practice Papers for Bournemouth School by Schofield & Sims
These 11+ practice papers were published by Schofield & Sims, a large UK educational publisher.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths |
School Information
Below you will find further information about Bournemouth School together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | Bournemouth School, East Way, Bournemouth, Dorset BH8 9PY |
|---|---|
| School Website | https://www.bournemouth-school.org/ |
| Telephone | 01202512609 |
| Email Address | office@bournemouth-school.org |
| Gender | Boys only |
| Total Year 7 Places | 180 |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 1163 (30 Girls / 1133 Boys) |
| Headteacher | Dr Dorian Lewis |
Bournemouth School is a boys only school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).
In total 1,163 pupils attend Bournemouth School and it's led by the Headteacher, Dr Dorian Lewis.
Bournemouth School Location
Below you will find a map showing the school's location:
Ofsted Information
Bournemouth School was last inspected by Ofsted on 13/09/2011 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 05/10/2011, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.
Last Ofsted Report Data
| Date Inspected | Inspection Duration (Days) | Reporting Date | Rating | Full Report | 13/09/2011 | 1 | 05/10/2011 | Outstanding | Full Report |
|---|
Ofsted Report Summary
Bournemouth School was inspected by Ofsted on 27 February 2024 and received an Outstanding rating in all areas. The school demonstrated exceptional performance in the quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision.
The inspection report highlights the school's outstanding achievements across various aspects of education. Bournemouth School has successfully created an environment that fosters academic excellence, positive behaviour, and personal growth among its students. The leadership and management team has been instrumental in driving the school's success and ensuring high-quality education for all pupils.
The sixth form provision at Bournemouth School was also deemed Outstanding, indicating that the school effectively prepares its students for higher education and future careers. The report underscores the school's commitment to providing a well-rounded educational experience that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary for success in their future endeavours.
GCSE & A-Level Subjects
Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Bournemouth School for the 2022-23 academic year.
| GCSE Subjects Offered |
|
|---|---|
| A-Level Subjects Offered |
|
GCSE & A-Level Performance
Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Bournemouth School per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.
GCSE Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||
| Art & Design | 21 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| Biology | 152 | - | - | - | 3 | 9 | 16 | 30 | 33 | 28 | 33 |
| Business Studies:Single | 86 | - | - | - | 5 | 5 | 11 | 17 | 14 | 21 | 13 |
| Chemistry | 151 | 1 | - | - | 4 | 10 | 25 | 26 | 24 | 33 | 28 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 66 | - | - | - | 1 | - | 4 | 8 | 14 | 22 | 17 |
| Design & Technology | 19 | - | - | - | - | - | 3 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 3 |
| English Language | 152 | - | - | - | 4 | 5 | 17 | 38 | 36 | 27 | 25 |
| English Literature | 152 | - | - | 1 | 1 | 10 | 25 | 38 | 32 | 26 | 19 |
| D&T Food Technology | 29 | - | - | - | - | - | 5 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 1 |
| French | 39 | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 9 | 10 |
| Geography | 89 | - | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 17 | 23 | 8 | 19 | 11 |
| German | 33 | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 7 |
| History | 74 | - | - | - | 2 | 3 | 8 | 15 | 11 | 20 | 15 |
| Mathematics | 152 | - | - | - | - | 8 | 15 | 26 | 37 | 38 | 28 |
| Music | 15 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Physics | 151 | - | - | - | 1 | 15 | 16 | 22 | 30 | 29 | 38 |
| Religious Studies | 148 | - | - | 3 | 10 | 16 | 22 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 20 |
| Spanish | 57 | - | - | 1 | 6 | 8 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 5 | 4 |
| Physical Education/Sports Studies | 38 | - | - | - | - | - | 3 | 5 | 11 | 5 | 14 |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Art and Design | 6 | - | - | 2 | 1 | 1 | - | 2 | |||
| Biology | 59 | - | 3 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 3 | |||
| Business Studies:Single | 21 | - | 1 | 1 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 2 | |||
| Chemistry | 43 | - | 5 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 10 | 2 | |||
| Computer Studies / Computing | 25 | - | - | 2 | 2 | 11 | 9 | 1 | |||
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 7 | - | 1 | - | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | |||
| Economics | 36 | - | 1 | 2 | 10 | 14 | 5 | 2 | |||
| English Literature | 9 | - | - | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | - | |||
| Geography | 10 | - | - | 1 | 1 | 7 | 1 | - | |||
| Government and Politics | 20 | - | 1 | 2 | 4 | 13 | - | - | |||
| History | 12 | - | - | - | 5 | 3 | 4 | - | |||
| Mathematics | 69 | - | 5 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 19 | 17 | |||
| Mathematics (Further) | 17 | - | 1 | - | 2 | 4 | 6 | 3 | |||
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 18 | - | 1 | 2 | 9 | 5 | 1 | - | |||
| Physics | 31 | - | 6 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 10 | 2 | |||
| Psychology | 33 | - | - | 2 | 13 | 13 | 5 | - | |||
| Religious Studies | 7 | - | - | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | |||
| Spanish | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
FAQ
Is Bournemouth School hard to get into?
Yes, Bournemouth School is hard to get into! Children need to pass their challenging 11+ entrance test (with a high pass mark) and there's tough competition with many other children trying to get a place for Year 7.
Is Bournemouth School a private school?
No, Bournemouth School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is Bournemouth School free?
Yes, Bournemouth School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Bournemouth School won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into Bournemouth School?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Bournemouth School for how up to date information on how to apply (it may be automatic or it may require some forms to be filled in). More information on their 11+ entrance test can be found here.
Is Bournemouth School a boys-only school?
Yes, Bournemouth School is a boys-only school.
