Parkstone Grammar School 11+ Guide

A detailed look at Parkstone Grammar School including past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers.

About Parkstone Grammar School

Parkstone Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Dorset. For children to get into Parkstone Grammar School they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, Parkstone Grammar School is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Parkstone Grammar School is an exceptional selective school for girls situated in the picturesque coastal town of Poole, Dorset. As an academy, PGS is dedicated to providing its students with an outstanding education that extends beyond the classroom. With a focus on science and languages, the school offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to inspire a lifelong passion for learning.

All images © Parkstone Grammar School.
All images © Parkstone Grammar School.

At PGS, the well-being of each student is of utmost importance. The school actively encourages participation in a wide array of extracurricular activities, including sports, music, theatre, public speaking, and charitable endeavours. These opportunities allow girls to develop their talents, build confidence, and cultivate a strong sense of community. Additionally, the school's commitment to healthy eating ensures that students are nourished both intellectually and physically.

The school's partnership with the local boys' grammar school, Poole Grammar School, enhances the sixth form experience by providing a diverse range of A level subjects. This collaboration prepares students for the challenges and opportunities that await them in higher education and beyond. With an emphasis on fostering independence and resilience, PGS equips its students with the skills necessary to succeed in their future endeavours.

Parkstone Grammar School's outstanding reputation is a testament to its effective leadership, dedicated staff, and the unwavering commitment of its students. The school's supportive and inclusive environment encourages girls to strive for excellence while maintaining impeccable behaviour and a genuine enthusiasm for learning. At PGS, every student is valued, nurtured, and inspired to reach their full potential.

Parkstone Grammar School is a girls-only grammar school.
Parkstone Grammar School is a girls-only grammar school.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Parkstone Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.

Address
Parkstone Grammar School,
Sopers Lane,
Poole,
Dorset
BH17 7EP
School Website
Telephone 01202605605
Email Address office@parkstone.poole.sch.uk
Gender Girls only
Total Year 7 Places 192
Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) 1224 (1224 Girls / 0 Boys)
Headteacher Mr David Hallsworth

Parkstone Grammar School is a girls 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 1,224 pupils attend Parkstone Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr David Hallsworth.

Parkstone Grammar School Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Parkstone Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.

GCSE Subjects Offered
  • Mathematics (175 pupils)
  • English Language (175 pupils)
  • Biology (174 pupils)
  • Chemistry (174 pupils)
  • Physics (174 pupils)
  • English Literature (173 pupils)
  • Geography (81 pupils)
  • Business Studies:Single (62 pupils)
  • History (59 pupils)
  • French (56 pupils)
  • Drama & Theatre Studies (54 pupils)
  • Spanish (52 pupils)
  • Physical Education/Sports Studies (50 pupils)
  • Design & Technology (43 pupils)
  • Art & Design (Fine Art) (42 pupils)
  • Religious Studies (40 pupils)
  • Computer Studies/Computing (28 pupils)
  • German (26 pupils)
  • Economics (23 pupils)
  • D&T Food Technology (20 pupils)
  • Astronomy (17 pupils)
  • Music (17 pupils)
A-Level Subjects Offered
  • Psychology (75 pupils)
  • Biology (69 pupils)
  • Mathematics (46 pupils)
  • Chemistry (39 pupils)
  • Sociology (31 pupils)
  • English Literature (30 pupils)
  • Business Studies:Single (28 pupils)
  • English Language (16 pupils)
  • History (15 pupils)
  • Physics (13 pupils)
  • Geography (13 pupils)
  • Media/Film/Tv Studies (11 pupils)
  • Religious Studies (10 pupils)
  • Government and Politics (10 pupils)
  • Mathematics (Further) (9 pupils)
  • Physical Education / Sports Studies (8 pupils)
  • Economics (8 pupils)
  • French (6 pupils)
  • Music (6 pupils)
  • Art and Design (Fine Art) (6 pupils)

Dorset 11+ Information

In order to get into Parkstone 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 the admissions test used by Bournemouth School. This assessment consists of three separate papers designed to evaluate a child's abilities in key areas. The exam includes a 50-minute Maths test, a 45-minute English test, and a 50-minute Verbal Reasoning test.

All the questions in the Dorset 11 plus exam are presented in a multiple-choice format. Pupils will be provided with individual answer sheets on which they will indicate their selected responses. These answer sheets are then electronically marked to determine the child's score in each subject area.

The Dorset 11 plus exam aims to assess a student's academic potential and suitability for admission to Bournemouth School. Success in this competitive entrance exam requires a solid foundation in Maths, English, and Verbal Reasoning skills, as well as effective time management and test-taking strategies.

Other Schools using Dorset 11+

As well as Parkstone 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 Parkstone 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.

Most 11+ tests are multiple-choice and marked electronically but still some remain that are marked by teachers or examiners.
Most 11+ tests are multiple-choice and marked electronically but still some remain that are marked by teachers or examiners.

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).

Stop worrying! Once the 11+ marking has started the admissions process is out of your control.
Stop worrying! Once the 11+ marking has started the admissions process is out of your control.

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 Parkstone Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Ofsted Information

Parkstone Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 11/10/2017 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 17/11/2017, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Parkstone Grammar School obtained <strong>Outstanding</strong> in their last Ofsted inspection in 2017.
Parkstone Grammar School obtained Outstanding in their last Ofsted inspection in 2017.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Date Inspected Inspection Duration (Days) Reporting Date Rating Full Report
11/10/2017 1 17/11/2017 Outstanding Full Report

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Parkstone 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) 42 - - - - - - 11 12 10 9
Astronomy 17 - - 2 1 1 5 5 1 2 -
Biology 174 - - - 1 11 11 33 37 39 42
Business Studies:Single 62 - - - 1 2 4 13 18 14 10
Chemistry 174 3 - 1 2 13 24 40 32 27 32
Computer Studies/Computing 28 - - - 1 4 4 5 7 5 2
Design & Technology 43 - - - 2 6 5 13 6 9 2
Economics 23 - - 1 - 1 3 6 2 4 6
English Language 175 - - - 1 2 18 44 37 49 24
English Literature 173 - - 2 - 7 23 39 41 36 24
D&T Food Technology 20 - - - - 1 2 6 4 2 5
French 56 - - 1 3 3 11 9 6 15 8
Geography 81 - - - - 1 6 12 20 23 19
German 26 - - - - 5 5 7 4 3 2
History 59 - - 1 - 2 4 9 15 19 9
Mathematics 175 - - - 2 14 29 42 48 25 15
Music 17 - - - - 2 1 4 4 3 3
Physics 174 2 - - - 9 27 38 49 23 26
Religious Studies 40 - - - - 1 1 7 4 6 21
Spanish 52 - - - 4 4 7 8 14 11 4
Drama & Theatre Studies 54 - - - 1 2 7 20 15 8 1
Physical Education/Sports Studies 50 - - - - 2 1 14 14 11 8

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Subject Total Pupils Grades Achieved
U E D C B A A*
Art and Design (Fine Art) 6 - - - - 1 1 4
Biology 69 - 3 11 12 27 10 4
Business Studies:Single 28 - - 3 5 8 8 4
Chemistry 39 - 3 3 10 11 10 2
Economics 8 - - 1 - 3 2 2
English Language 16 - - 2 5 8 - 1
English Literature 30 - - 2 6 7 8 7
French 6 - - 2 1 2 - 1
Geography 13 - - - 2 6 4 1
Government and Politics 10 - - - 1 4 3 2
History 15 - - - 1 7 3 4
Mathematics 46 - 4 5 11 12 7 6
Mathematics (Further) 9 - - - 1 4 1 3
Media/Film/Tv Studies 11 - - - - 4 6 1
Music 6 - - - - 2 3 1
Physical Education / Sports Studies 8 - - 1 4 3 - -
Physics 13 - - 5 - 3 2 1
Psychology 75 - 1 2 19 24 23 6
Religious Studies 10 - - - 1 3 5 1
Sociology 31 - - 2 3 11 7 8

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Unfortunately, Parkstone Grammar School has not made any of their past 11+ papers publicly available.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

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 Parkstone Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.

GL Assessment

These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by GL Assessment themselves. They remain useful and we would encourage parents to download and use them with their children.

Exam Board Subject Answer Sheet Question Booklet Marking Scheme (Answers)
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning

CGP

These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. They are up to date and extremely useful.

Exam Board Subject Answer Sheet Question Booklet Marking Scheme (Answers)
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning

These Free CEM 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. Grammar schools no longer use CEM for any of their 11+ entrance tests. However, as a general practice tool these tests remain useful.

Exam Board Subject Answer Sheet Question Booklet Marking Scheme (Answers)
CEMMaths
CEMVerbal Reasoning
CEMNon-Verbal Reasoning

FAQ

Is Parkstone Grammar School hard to get into?

Yes, Parkstone 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 Parkstone Grammar School a private school?

No, Parkstone Grammar School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.

Is Parkstone Grammar School free?

Yes, Parkstone Grammar School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Parkstone Grammar School won't cost you any money.

How do I get my child into Parkstone Grammar School?

You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Parkstone 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 Parkstone Grammar School a girls-only school?

Yes, Parkstone Grammar School is a girls-only school.

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