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Poole Grammar School catchment area

Poole · boys grammar school · ages 11 to 18
Admissions
Catchment area
(distance priority)
Intake
Boys · ages 11 to 18
11+ test
Dorset 11+ (consortium; English+Maths)
Year 7 places
180
Location
Poole, Dorset
Catchment, explained

How catchment works at Poole Grammar School

Poole Grammar School draws its intake using a designated catchment or distance priority around Poole. To be considered your child first needs to pass Dorset 11+ (consortium; English+Maths), which makes them eligible but does not guarantee a place.

Pass; then looked-after, EHCP, staff, catchment sibling, catchment resident, then out-of-catchment sibling/resident; distance tie-break. The qualifying distance shifts every year with demand, so a postcode that was inside the catchment one year can fall outside it the next.

Bottom line: for Poole Grammar School, both things matter, your child must pass the 11+, and you generally need to live close enough to clear that year's distance cut-off.
Grammar schools near Poole
Dorset
Applying

Sitting the 11+ for Poole Grammar School

1

Register

Sign up for Dorset 11+ (consortium; English+Maths) with the school or local authority, usually by early summer before Year 6 begins.

2

Sit the test

Your child takes the test in September of Year 6. Results follow in October, before the 31 October secondary application deadline.

3

Get your place

Pass, then your home distance decides. List Poole schools by preference on the application.

FAQs

Poole Grammar School catchment, your questions answered

Does Poole Grammar School have a catchment area?+
Yes. Poole Grammar has a catchment covering historic Poole and BH postcodes; in-catchment boys rank ahead of those outside.
Is Poole Grammar School super-selective?+
No. Poole Grammar School is a selective grammar with a catchment or distance priority, so both a qualifying mark and your home address affect whether you get a place.
How is the catchment for Poole Grammar School measured?+
Pass; then looked-after, EHCP, staff, catchment sibling, catchment resident, then out-of-catchment sibling/resident; distance tie-break. Distances are normally measured in a straight line from your home to the school, and the cut-off moves each year with demand.
What test does my child sit for Poole Grammar School?+
Children applying to Poole Grammar School sit Dorset 11+ (consortium; English+Maths), usually at the start of Year 6. Register with the school or local authority before the summer deadline in Year 5.
How many places does Poole Grammar School offer?+
Poole Grammar School admits 180 pupils into Year 7 each year. With far more qualifiers than places, the score needed in practice is well above the basic pass mark.
Can we apply to Poole Grammar School from outside the area?+
Yes, you can always apply. In quieter years out-of-area children are offered places, but in-catchment families take priority, so it is less predictable.
Does passing the 11+ guarantee a place at Poole Grammar School?+
No. Passing qualifies your child, the place then depends on the admissions priorities, most often home-to-school distance.
When do we register for the Dorset 11+ (consortium; English+Maths)?+
Registration usually opens in the spring or early summer of Year 5 and closes before the test, which is sat in September of Year 6. Results come back in October, the secondary application deadline is 31 October, and offers are sent on national offer day, 1 March. Always confirm the exact dates with Poole Grammar School or your local authority.

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Catchment and admissions details change every year. This page is an indicative guide for parents, always confirm the current catchment area, distances, places and test arrangements directly with Poole Grammar School and your local authority before applying.