Bournemouth School
Find out all you need to know about the Bournemouth School application process and how to prepare your child for success in their 11 Plus exam.
Overview
Test Month
September
Results
October
Allocations
March
Exam Board
GL
Address
Bournemouth School, East Way, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH8 9PY
About Bournemouth School
Bournemouth School is an all-boys selective grammar school for ages 11-16, with a mixed-gender sixth form. This school offers many extracurricular programmes for students, with a focus on sports such as fencing, surfing and martial arts. The school also has a Combined Cadet Force. Bournemouth School is part of the Dorset Grammar School Consortium.
You can find out more about Bournemouth School on the school website.
For school admissions: office@bournemouth-school.org
Catchment area for Bournemouth School
The priority area consists of the following post codes: BH1, BH2, BH3, BH4, BH5, BH6, BH7, BH8, BH9, BH10, BH11, BH12 5, BH23 1, BH23 2 and BH23 3
How many places does Bournemouth School allocate?
In 2026, Bournemoth School will allocate 180 places for new Year 7 students.
What is a passing 11 Plus score for Bournemouth School?
Bournemouth School does not publish a specific pass score.
How does Bournemouth School allocate places?
Where more applicants are deemed selective than the number of places available, the following criteria will be used to decide which students will be offered places:
EHCP holders who achieve a qualifying score or above.
Looked After or previously Looked After children who achieve the qualifying score or above, with those who score highest given higher priority.
Recipients of Pupil Premium who achieve the qualifying score or above, with those who score highest given higher priority.
Those who live in the priority area and achieve the qualifying score or above, with those who score highest given higher priority.
Eligible sons of members of staff where the member of staff has been employed by the school for at least two years.
Other children who achieve the qualifying score, in rank order of their score, with those who score highest given higher priority.
What subjects are covered on the test?
The 11 Plus exam for Bournemouth School is completed over three papers, sat on the same day. These are set out as follows:
Maths paper (50 minutes)
English paper (45 minutes)
Verbal Reasoning paper (50 minutes)
There are no sections of writing in the test.
All three papers are multiple choice, and candidates record their answers on a separate answer sheet.
Mock tests for Bournemouth School
How to apply to Bournemouth School
Register your child to take the entrance exam on the Bournemouth School website here.
Submit a Common Application Form to your local council and name Bournemouth School as one of your preferred schools.
Application deadline
For the entrance exam: 5th September 2025.
Registration opens on the 22nd April 2025.
For the Common Application Form: 31st October 2025.
Test dates
The entrance exam will take place on 20th September 2025.
Results date
The results of the exam will be released on October 10th 2025.
Placement date
You’ll find out if your child has been allocated a place on March 2nd 2026.
Tuition tailored to your chosen school
We design a curriculum to meet your chosen school requirements and coach your child in the techniques and skills to give them the best chance of success in their 11 Plus exams.
Exam technique & coaching
Practise exam speed
Hone skills & accuracy
Unlimited practice material
Regular progress meetings and reports for you and your child
Tuition from £175 / month
Ace the 11+ exam and get into your chosen school
Nationwide expertise
20+ hours of testing in each lesson plan
GL, CEM Select, CSSE, Sutton SET, London Consortium, Future Stories, SEAG Transfer Test
Nationwide expertise
20+ hours of testing in each lesson plan
GL, CEM Select, CSSE, Sutton SET, London Consortium, Future Stories, SEAG Transfer Test
Nationwide expertise
20+ hours of testing in each lesson plan
GL, CEM Select, CSSE, Sutton SET, London Consortium, Future Stories, SEAG Transfer Test
FAQs
How can I ensure my child gets into the best school possible?
We know that preparing for the exam can be a major focus in your child’s education and we are here to support you throughout that journey. We do not believe in simply ‘teaching to a test’, which is why we offer individualised courses and specialist courses that complement your child’s education in the run up to and beyond the exam.
Working in small groups and independently our members grow in confidence and develop exam techniques to prepare them for the day of the exam and beyond.
Our unique approach not only uses the most up-to-date resources, our engaging and motivational tutors will guide and support your child every step of the way, whilst providing clear and honest feedback about your child’s progress.
Is my child guaranteed to pass?
11 Plus exams are highly competitive and selective exams so we cannot guarantee that your child will pass.
What we can ensure is that your child is given the opportunity to do their very best with the knowledge, confidence and understanding of the exam they are going to sit.
We work really hard to bring enjoyment to their experience and send your child away with a fearless approach to learning.
From what age can my child start 11 Plus tuition?
Children can join our 11 Plus programmes at any time. Our foundation course starts for children in Year 3 focusing on building concrete maths and English skills.
For children in Year 4 our course introduces exam content and problem solving skills that they will face in entrance exams.
Once children are in Year 5 we develop advanced knowledge, speed and accuracy to achieve exam success.
Can my child prepare for more than one school entrance exam?
Yes. Our lessons are tailored to meet the requirements of the local schools in your area. Our managers will advise you on the best programme of work to follow so that your child covers all the material necessary for their chosen schools.
How often should my child have extra tuition?
At Explore we take a blended approach that involves a weekly individual session, essential to focus on your child’s core maths and English skills and vital to exam success, as well as one scheduled class-taught session each week that focuses on exam-specific techniques and content.
As part of our offering we recommend regular home practice, to embed learning of new skills covered in class. We utilise bespoke online and paper-based materials to provide your child with clear activities to practise at home.
Do you offer mock exams?
Mock exams form a crucial part of your child's preparation for 11 Plus and take place in our centres towards the end of the course.
How much homework do you set?
Home work is set according to your child's individual needs.
We combine digital and paper-based resources to give your child unlimited practice materials that you can access wherever and whenever you need them.
Why should I choose Explore Learning?
We understand that you want to give your child the best opportunities in life and we are here to support you throughout their journey into secondary education. We believe every child should have fair access to exam preparation, we don’t pre-test children, and welcome children of all abilities and will give them the best possible preparation to demonstrate their potential.Our comprehensive 11 Plus and Entrance Exam courses give children the opportunity to become confident in a range of verbal and non-verbal reasoning methods. In addition, we ensure children are developing the core maths and English skills needed to tackle any exam with confidence. We also prepare children for entrance exams into independent schools, tailoring our courses to suit the focus of schools in the local area.
