Poole Grammar School 11+
Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for Poole Grammar School.
How to get into Poole Grammar School
Poole Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Dorset. To get into Poole Grammar School children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into Poole Grammar School with all the important information you need to know.
Admission Requirements
Poole Grammar School offers 180 places annually for boys entering Year 7[1]. The school is an 11-18 selective boys grammar school located in Dorset. Children born between 1st September 2013 and 31st August 2014 are eligible for Year 7 entry in September 2025.
All applicants must pass the Dorset 11+ examination to be considered for admission. The school selects approximately the top 16% of the school population based on test performance. Poole Grammar School is a member of the Dorset Consortium with four grammar schools that share the same entrance test, meaning children only need to take the test once even if applying to multiple consortium schools.
The catchment area covers the historic Borough of Poole, plus postcodes BH12, BH13, BH14, BH15, BH16, BH17, BH18 and BH21 3. However, families from outside the catchment area can still apply and may receive places based on test scores and oversubscription criteria.
Application Process
Families must complete two separate application processes. First, registration for the Dorset 11+ opens on Tuesday 22nd April 2025 and closes on Friday 5th September 2025 (see key dates). Bournemouth Grammar School manages applications for both schools, with families choosing their preferred test venue.
Second, families must name Poole Grammar School on their secondary school common application form, available from early September and submitted by Friday 31st October 2025 (see key dates). This Common Application Form must be submitted through the local authority.
For families with special educational needs, applications for access arrangements must include relevant evidence and be submitted to the 'Admissions Registrar'. Late registration opportunities exist, with children registered after 6th September 2024 eligible for February testing for second round allocations on 25th March 2025.
- Register online through the consortium registration system
- Choose Poole Grammar School as the test venue
- Submit the Common Application Form through the local authority
- Provide supporting documentation for special needs if applicable
- Ensure email addresses are correct for results notification
- Contact details available in the school information section
The 11+ Examination
Children take the Dorset 11+ entrance test on Saturday 20th September 2025 and receive results on Friday 10th October (see key dates). The examination consists of three tests: Verbal Reasoning, Mathematics and English administered by GL Assessment.
The Mathematics paper allows 50 minutes and covers Key Stage 2 curriculum work. The English paper tests comprehension, vocabulary and punctuation with 45 minutes allowed. The Verbal Reasoning test analyses academic potential and includes an integral practice element as children may not have encountered such questions before.
All questions are multiple-choice with separate answer sheets marked electronically. Scores are age-standardised to ensure fairness, with each component equally weighted at 141 marks and the aggregate score used for assessment.
- Mathematics: 50 minutes covering Key Stage 2 curriculum
- English: 45 minutes testing comprehension and vocabulary
- Verbal Reasoning: 50 minutes analysing academic potential
- Multiple-choice format with electronic marking
- Age-standardised scoring ensures fairness
- Practice materials available at practice papers section
Oversubscription Criteria
Passing the 11+ does not guarantee a place as places may be oversubscribed. If more children achieve the qualifying score than the 180 places available, oversubscription criteria prioritise children based on rank order of test scores.
Priority order includes: looked after children, children in state care adopted from outside England, catchment area children receiving Pupil Premium, catchment area children not receiving Pupil Premium, and children of staff members employed for two or more years. Where test scores are identical, priority goes to children living closest to the school.
Families outside the catchment area receive lower priority but can still secure places based on high test scores. Children outside the catchment area are ranked by test scores, with Pupil Premium recipients receiving higher priority than non-recipients.
Preparation Guidance
Child psychologists recommend regular study sessions of 20-30 minutes for children aged 10-11, using a 'little and often' approach. Building a good knowledge base before the 11+ is essential for success in the examination.
Free familiarisation papers are available from the GL Assessment website: www.11plus.gl-assessment.co.uk/free-materials/. Children consistently scoring 80%+ in practice tests should be on track to pass the examination.
Families should focus on Key Stage 2 curriculum content, particularly mathematics up to level 5 with some level 6 questions. English preparation should emphasise comprehension skills and vocabulary development. Verbal reasoning requires specific practice as children may not have encountered these question types previously.
- Start preparation 12-18 months before the exam date
- Use 20-30 minute daily study sessions
- Access free materials at practice papers section
- Consider professional tutoring through tutor recommendations
- Focus on Key Stage 2 curriculum content
- Practice verbal reasoning question types specifically
- Aim for 80%+ in practice tests consistently
Practical Advice
On examination day, children should arrive well-rested and with necessary equipment including pencils and erasers. Students mark answers on pre-printed sheets, so families should help children familiarise themselves with multiple-choice layouts. A catch-up test is available in early October for those unable to attend the main test date.
Results are announced on 3rd March 2025, and families should accept any offered school place to secure secondary education while maintaining the right to appeal (see key dates). Appeals cannot be lodged before this date.
Alternative grammar school options in Dorset include Bournemouth School, Bournemouth School for Girls, and Parkstone Grammar School within the same consortium. Families should research comprehensive schools in the local area as backup options. For specific guidance about school policies and procedures, families should contact the school information section.
Dorset 11+ Information
In order to get into Poole Grammar 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 used by Bournemouth School to assess prospective students. This comprehensive assessment consists of three separate test papers designed to evaluate a child's abilities in key areas.
The exam includes a 50-minute Maths paper, a 45-minute English paper, and a 50-minute Verbal Reasoning paper. Each of these papers is composed entirely of multiple-choice questions, allowing for efficient and standardized evaluation of a student's skills and knowledge.
During the exam, students are provided with dedicated answer sheets on which they indicate their responses to the questions. These answer sheets are then collected and marked electronically, ensuring a swift and accurate assessment process.
Other Schools using Dorset 11+
As well as Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.
Key Dates for the Poole Grammar School 11+ Entrance Tests
Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar School as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar School 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar School
Unfortunately, Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Writing | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | Poole Grammar School, Gravel Hill, Poole, Dorset BH17 9JU |
|---|---|
| School Website | https://poolegrammar.com/ |
| Telephone | 01202692132 |
| Email Address | pgsoffice@poolegrammar.com |
| Gender | Boys only |
| Total Year 7 Places | 180 |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 1199 (0 Girls / 1199 Boys) |
| Headteacher | Dr Amanda Smith |
Poole Grammar 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 1,199 pupils attend Poole Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Dr Amanda Smith.
Poole Grammar School Location
Below you will find a map showing the school's location:
Ofsted Information
Poole Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 23/01/2018 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 21/02/2018, declaring that the school was 'Good'. 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 | 23/01/2018 | 1 | 21/02/2018 | Good | Full Report |
|---|
GCSE & A-Level Subjects
Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar 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 (Fine Art) | 10 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| Art & Design (3d Studies) | 40 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 8 | 11 |
| Biology | 139 | - | - | - | 3 | 10 | 15 | 24 | 30 | 25 | 32 |
| Chemistry | 138 | - | - | - | 2 | 8 | 15 | 26 | 22 | 23 | 42 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 50 | - | - | - | - | 4 | 3 | 6 | 15 | 16 | 6 |
| Design & Technology | 12 | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| Electronics | 11 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | - | 7 | 1 |
| English Language | 172 | - | - | - | 4 | 9 | 24 | 45 | 39 | 36 | 15 |
| English Literature | 172 | - | - | 1 | 5 | 20 | 29 | 41 | 35 | 25 | 16 |
| D&T Food Technology | 29 | - | - | 1 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| French | 56 | 2 | - | 1 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 6 | 12 | 7 | 7 |
| Geography | 101 | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | 8 | 26 | 26 | 29 | 8 |
| German | 26 | 2 | - | - | 6 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 3 |
| History | 91 | - | - | 1 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 15 | 27 | 13 | 21 |
| Mathematics | 173 | - | - | - | 3 | 2 | 19 | 32 | 35 | 58 | 24 |
| Music | 10 | - | - | - | 1 | - | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Physics | 138 | - | - | - | 3 | 1 | 16 | 17 | 23 | 25 | 53 |
| Religious Studies | 172 | - | - | 2 | 8 | 7 | 15 | 48 | 41 | 24 | 27 |
| Spanish | 77 | 10 | - | 1 | 13 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 14 | 6 | 2 |
| Drama & Theatre Studies | 16 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Science: Double Award | 34 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Arabic | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| Biology | 40 | - | 3 | 7 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 4 | |||
| Business Studies:Single | 26 | - | - | 7 | 4 | 9 | 4 | 1 | |||
| Chemistry | 32 | - | 2 | - | 5 | 13 | 8 | 3 | |||
| Computer Studies / Computing | 33 | - | - | - | 3 | 11 | 11 | 8 | |||
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 10 | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | |||
| Economics | 28 | - | 2 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 2 | |||
| Electronics | 7 | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||
| French | 6 | - | - | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | - | |||
| Geography | 27 | - | 2 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 3 | |||
| Government and Politics | 11 | - | - | - | 2 | 6 | 3 | - | |||
| History | 29 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 15 | 10 | 1 | |||
| Logic / Philosophy | 10 | - | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 | - | - | |||
| Mathematics | 84 | - | 4 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 34 | 19 | |||
| Mathematics (Further) | 17 | - | - | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 4 | |||
| Media/Film/Tv Studies | 6 | - | - | 4 | 1 | 1 | - | - | |||
| Physics | 37 | - | - | 3 | 2 | 8 | 13 | 11 | |||
| Psychology | 17 | - | 3 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 1 | |||
| Sociology | 17 | - | 1 | 4 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 3 | |||
FAQ
Is Poole Grammar School hard to get into?
Yes, Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar School a private school?
No, Poole Grammar School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is Poole Grammar School free?
Yes, Poole Grammar School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Poole Grammar School won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into Poole Grammar School?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Poole Grammar 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 Poole Grammar School a boys-only school?
Yes, Poole Grammar School is a boys-only school.
