Grammar school 11+ tests in Dorset

There are four grammar schools in the county of Dorset:
 

• Bournemouth School (Boys)
• Bournemouth School for Girls
• Poole Grammar School (Boys)
• Parkstone Grammar School (Girls)

There is one set of selection tests for Poole Grammar School, Bournemouth School, Bournemouth School for Girls and Parkstone Grammar School (the ‘Consortium’). 

Children sit Verbal Reasoning, Mathematics and English papers; the total score for the three tests determines whether the pupil is of the required standard. The scores for the entrance tests are adjusted (or “standardised”) according to age.

The schools use GL Assessment papers.

If you want your child to be considered for a grammar school place, you must register your child for testing via your preferred school's website. Detailed arrangements for testing your child will be sent to you directly from the school once you’ve registered. Once your child has taken the test and received their results, you must then complete your Local Authority's school application form, listing your chosen grammar school as one of your preferences. You can find key admissions dates and details for the Bournemouth schools and for the Poole schools on the council website.

Your child will take the test at the school with which you registered them.

Each of the schools has its own admission criteria. Some have a 'qualifying score,' and all children who achieve that mark or higher are eligible to apply for a place, although if the school is oversubscribed, their admission is not guaranteed. Others admit the top scoring pupils each year: for example, Bournemouth School offers places to the 120 top boys, while Poole Grammar typically admits the top 16 per cent. The cut-off scores vary between schools and from year to year, depending on the overall standard and the number of children taking the test. Marks are standardised so that children who are older in the year group are not at an advantage over younger children. You can find out more about how many places are available, and how they are allocated, on each school's website.

GL Assessment practice papers, preparation materials and support books are available to buy online.

Please note that while we always strive to ensure the information we provide about individual schools is accurate, admissions arrangements for Year 7 entry change regularly and it is essential to check for up-to-date advice on schools' own websites.