School Chooser

Bournemouth School for Girls

Secondary · ages 11-18GirlsAcademy (grammar)1,290 pupilsSixth formBournemouthBournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
School Chooser Score
96
Well above
similar schools
Likely range 94 to 98
Out of 100. Better than 40% of the 50 schools most like it. Much the same over the last five years.
OfstedOutstandingLast Ofsted inspection, May 2024
Strong pass in English and maths96%England 46%
Attendance94.4%England 91.4%
Pupils from low-income families7%Far fewer than most schools
PlacesFull1,290 pupils, 1,210 places
Pupils per teacher19.3School workforce census

Bournemouth School for Girls is a converter academy in Bournemouth for girls aged 11 to 18. It has 1,290 pupils, 80 more than it has places for. About 7 in every 100 pupils come from a low-income family, far fewer than at most schools in England. We give it 96 out of 100. That puts it well above schools like it, ahead of 40% of the 50 schools most like it. Ofsted's last grade was outstanding, back in 2024.

Castle Gate Close, Castle Lane West, Bournemouth, BH8 9UJ01202 526289wearebsg.ukMr David Sims headteacherAll details

What Ofsted found

Ofsted's last full inspection was on 8 May 2024, back when it gave schools one overall grade. Read the report on Ofsted's website.

Outstanding overall.

TeachingOfsted calls this “quality of education”
Outstanding
BehaviourOfsted calls this “behaviour and attitudes”
Outstanding
WellbeingOfsted calls this “personal development”
Outstanding
LeadershipOfsted calls this “leadership and management”
Outstanding
Sixth formOfsted calls this “post-16”
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Effective
Yes

Results

GCSE results, summer 2025

177 pupils sat their GCSEs. Here is how they did against every state secondary in England.

Average GCSE score72.2
England 46.8
Official name: Attainment 8
Strong pass in English and maths96%
England 46%
Official name: Grade 5+ in English and maths
Standard pass in English and maths99%
England 66%
Official name: Grade 4+ in English and maths
Progress from age 11+0.54In each subject, pupils here finished most of a grade ahead of children across England who started secondary school at the same level. (From 2023/24, the latest year there is. The government didn't work it out for the 2025 year group.)Official name: Progress 8
Trend
Average GCSE score
2018 to 2025
2018: 73.673.620182019: 71.271.220192022: 74.274.220222023: 70.770.720232024: 71.771.720242025: 72.272.22025
Since 2018: -1.4Steady overall
All GCSE measures, year by year
Measure202520242023202220192018Bournemouth, Christchurch and PooleEngland
Pupils at the end of Year 11177178170177158166
Average GCSE scoreAttainment 872.271.770.774.271.273.650.846.8
Progress from age 11Progress 8+0.54+0.40+0.48+0.42+0.52
Strong pass in English and mathsGrade 5+ in English and maths96%95%92%94%97%95%56%46%
Standard pass in English and mathsGrade 4+ in English and maths99%99%100%99%99%100%75%66%
Core subjects scoreEBacc average point score6.466.386.346.736.556.744.564.15
Taking the core subjectsEBacc entry48%48%57%58%70%66%43%41%
Average GCSE score: low-income pupilsAttainment 8, disadvantaged67.263.663.959.273.873.8
Average GCSE score: other pupilsAttainment 8, non-disadvantaged72.672.171.475.171.073.6
Average GCSE score: pupils who started aheadAttainment 8, high prior attainers73.772.375.471.173.8

Subjects

Results came out for 19 GCSE subjects in 2025. Each figure is the share of pupils who got a grade 5 or better, next to the average for state secondaries in England.

Strongest subjects

Design & Technology100%grades 9 to 5, England 50% · 19th of 1,478 schools
Food Preparation & Nutrition98%grades 9 to 5, England 52% · 31st of 1,098 schools
Spanish100%grades 9 to 5, England 54% · 11th of 1,941 schools
Geography96%grades 9 to 5, England 51% · 88th of 3,116 schools
What is taught hereOffers triple science, 3 languages, computer science, music.

The small number is how many pupils sat each subject. Subjects with fewer than six pupils aren't published.

Every subject against England, 2025
Mathematics177 entries · 3rd of 22 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
97%England 53%
English Language177 entries · 1st of 22 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
97%England 54%
Biology177 entries · 9th of 15 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
92%England 82%
Chemistry176 entries · 10th of 15 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
89%England 81%
English Literature175 entries · 1st of 22 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
95%England 58%
Physics175 entries · 8th of 15 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
95%England 82%
Religious Studies169 entries · 1st of 16 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
96%England 60%
Geography77 entries · 2nd of 22 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
96%England 51%
History76 entries · 3rd of 22 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
93%England 52%
Design & Technology64 entries · 2nd of 13 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
100%England 50%
French47 entries · 2nd of 17 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
100%England 60%
Food Preparation & Nutrition46 entries · 2nd of 8 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
98%England 52%
German44 entries · 2nd of 4 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
91%England 63%
Computer Science40 entries · 3rd of 10 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
90%England 56%
Physical Education28 entries · 2nd of 11 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
96%England 56%
Drama24 entries · 2nd of 4 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
92%England 60%
Art and Design24 entries · 2nd of 17 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
100%England 58%
Spanish23 entries · 1st of 14 in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
100%England 54%
Music18 entries
100%England 61%
SubjectEntriesGrades 9 to 7Grades 9 to 5Grades 9 to 4England 9 to 5Rank in England
Mathematics17765%97%99%53%94 of 3,211
English Language17768%97%99%54%57 of 3,210
Biology17760%92%99%82%976 of 2,570
Chemistry17656%89%98%81%1,176 of 2,537
English Literature17558%95%99%58%82 of 3,202
Physics17558%95%97%82%807 of 2,546
Religious Studies16969%96%98%60%76 of 1,825
Geography7764%96%99%51%88 of 3,116
History7678%93%96%52%94 of 3,126
Design & Technology6484%100%100%50%19 of 1,478
French4772%100%100%60%29 of 1,974
Food Preparation & Nutrition4680%98%98%52%31 of 1,098
German4477%91%93%63%76 of 571
Computer Science4055%90%95%56%138 of 1,861
Physical Education2846%96%100%56%46 of 1,559
Drama2450%92%100%60%81 of 844
Art and Design2458%100%100%58%46 of 2,818
Spanish2370%100%100%54%11 of 1,941
Music1872%100%100%61%

In combined science each pupil gets two grades and we count the lower one. Rankings only include state secondaries where 20 or more pupils sat the subject.

A level and sixth-form results, 2025

168 students finished sixth-form courses.

Average A level gradeB-37.5 points per entry
A level progress-0.23Against students elsewhere with the same GCSE grades. 0 is average.
AAB or better19%with two subjects universities favour
Stayed and finished97%of students who started
All sixth-form measures, year by year
Measure202520242023202220192018
Students168145156160294286
Average A level points per entryA level APS per entry37.5441.7441.5746.9241.2839.97
Average A level gradeB-B+BA-BB
Best three A levelsBest 3 A levels APS37.1841.5341.1346.5241.2741.92
AAB or better in subjects universities likeAAB+ in two facilitating subjects19%26%21%37%25%31%
A level progressA level value added-0.23-0.02+0.09+0.10
Stayed and finishedRetained and assessed97%97%94%97%95%96%

A level subjects

25 A level subjects had results in 2025. Each figure is the share of students who got an A* to B, next to the average for state sixth forms in England. When only a handful of students take a subject, its figures jump around from year to year.

Strongest A levels

Religious Studies92%A* to B, England 50% · 13 entries
Geography87%A* to B, England 51% · 15 entries
English Literature77%A* to B, England 52% · 30 entries
Sociology71%A* to B, England 49% · 21 entries
A levels taught hereThe small number is how many students sat each one in 2025.
SubjectsMathematics62Psychology61Biology55Chemistry49English Literature30Sociology21History20Computer Science20Government and Politics18Geography15Business Studies14Religious Studies13Physics12Media / Film / TV Studies10Mathematics (Further)10Economics10French9Design and Technology (Product Design)9Fine Art8Drama and Theatre Studies8Music7Spanish7Design and Technology (Textiles Technology)6English Language6German5
Every A level subject against England, 2025
Mathematics62 entries · 32% A* or A · 100% passed
57%England 60%
Psychology61 entries · 33% A* or A · 97% passed
64%England 46%
Biology55 entries · 26% A* or A · 98% passed
56%England 49%
Chemistry49 entries · 18% A* or A · 90% passed
43%England 53%
English Literature30 entries · 43% A* or A · 100% passed
77%England 52%
Sociology21 entries · 43% A* or A · 100% passed
71%England 49%
History20 entries · 40% A* or A · 100% passed
70%England 55%
Computer Science20 entries · 30% A* or A · 100% passed
55%England 46%
Government and Politics18 entries · 44% A* or A · 100% passed
61%England 55%
Geography15 entries · 53% A* or A · 100% passed
87%England 51%
Business Studies14 entries · 14% A* or A · 100% passed
36%England 47%
Religious Studies13 entries · 39% A* or A · 100% passed
92%England 50%
Physics12 entries · 42% A* or A · 100% passed
58%England 51%
Media / Film / TV Studies10 entries · 10% A* or A · 100% passed
50%England 46%
Mathematics (Further)10 entries · 20% A* or A · 100% passed
50%England 76%
Economics10 entries · 20% A* or A · 90% passed
50%England 57%
French9 entries · 67% A* or A · 100% passed
89%England 60%
Design and Technology (Product Design)9 entries · 33% A* or A · 89% passed
56%England 38%
Fine Art8 entries · 25% A* or A · 100% passed
75%England 65%
Drama and Theatre Studies8 entries · 0% A* or A · 100% passed
50%England 54%
Music7 entries · 43% A* or A · 100% passed
86%England 47%
Spanish7 entries · 43% A* or A · 100% passed
86%England 59%
Design and Technology (Textiles Technology)6 entries · 50% A* or A · 100% passed
100%England 43%
English Language6 entries · 17% A* or A · 100% passed
33%England 44%
German5 entries · 0% A* or A · 0% passed
0%England 59%

A levels only. BTECs, T levels and other courses are in the table above. Subjects with fewer than five students aren't published.

Does every child do well here?

A good school does well by every child, not just on average. Each row compares two groups of pupils here. The grey marks show the same two groups across England. Every gap at this school is smaller than the gap across England. When a group has fewer than about ten pupils, its figures jump around a lot from year to year.

At GCSE, 2025

Average GCSE scoreLow-income pupils vs other pupils
67.272.6
Gap 5.4England 12.2
Strong pass in English and mathsLow-income pupils vs other pupils
91%96%
Gap 6 ptsEngland 22 pts
First groupSecond groupEngland, each group

Low-income means the child has had free school meals at some point in the last six years. A group's figure isn't published when it has fewer than six pupils.

Getting a place

Grammar school. This is a grammar school, so places depend on an entrance test.

Full1,256 pupils for 1,179 places, 2024/25
107% full

The school is full, with 77 more pupils than it has places for. More families apply than can get in, so things like how close you live and whether an older brother or sister is already here decide who gets a place. Pupil numbers have grown by 5% since 2021/22, so places are getting harder to come by.

Each council publishes its own figures on how many families applied and how far away the last child to get a place lived. We are adding councils one at a time. If you have a link to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council's admissions booklet, send it to us.

Who goes here

Who a school teaches matters. That is why our score compares it with schools that take in a similar mix of children, not with every school in the country.

Pupils on roll1,290Census January 2026
Places1,210107% full
Pupils from low-income families6%7% have had free school meals at some point in the last six years
Pupils learning English19%First language is not English
Pupils getting extra support8%107 pupils with SEN support
Pupils with an EHC plan1%7 pupils with a plan
Average class size21.750 classes, January 2026; England 22.8
Classes with more than 30 pupils8%share of one-teacher classes; England 12%
Pupils with extra funding (pupil premium)7%£69,300 extra funding in 2026/27; England 30%
Boys and girls0 / 1,290
White British pupils57%

The most common needs among pupils getting extra support: Autistic spectrum disorder (31), emotional and mental health (30), Specific learning difficulty (20), SEN support but no specialist assessment of type of need (10), Hearing impairment (7), Other difficulty or disability (5).

How the mix of pupils has changed
Census202620252024202320222021
Pupils on roll1,2901,2591,2091,1791,1971,196
Pupils from low-income familiesFree school meals6%6%5%5%4%5%
Pupils learning EnglishEnglish as an additional language19%15%13%12%12%11%
Pupils getting extra supportSEN support9%8%9%7%6%
Pupils with an EHC planEducation, health and care plans1%1%1%0%0%

Attendance and behaviour

In 2024/25 pupils were in school 94.4% of the time. Across similar schools in England it was 91.4%.

Attendance94.4%
England 91.4%
Official name: 100 minus overall absence
Pupils missing a lot of school14.2%
England 23.9%
Official name: Persistent absence
Suspensions per 100 pupils0.52024/25, no permanent exclusions
Missed without permission0.9%of school time, 2024/25
Attendance year by year
Measure2024/252023/242022/232021/222020/212018/19England
Sessions missedOverall absence5.7%6.4%7.1%9.6%3.1%5.3%8.6%
Missed with permissionAuthorised absence4.7%5.7%6.5%9.1%3.0%5.0%
Missed without permissionUnauthorised absence0.9%0.7%0.6%0.5%0.2%0.3%
Pupils missing a lot of schoolPersistent absence14.2%23.0%22.1%35.0%5.5%15.7%23.9%
SuspensionsSuspension rate0.51.30.90.90.3
Permanent exclusionsPermanent exclusions00000

What pupils do next

After GCSEs

Where the 170 pupils who left in 2022/23 were a year later.

Still in education, work or training100%and stayed there for at least six months

Among pupils from low-income families it was 100%, compared with 100% for everyone else.

Earlier years
Destination2022/23 leavers2021/22 leavers2020/21 leavers2019/20 leavers
Still in education, work or training100%98%99%100%
Education98%96%99%99%
Apprenticeship1%1%0%1%
Work1%1%1%0%
Not in education, work or training0%2%1%0%

After sixth form

Where the 146 pupils who left in 2022/23 were a year later.

Still in education, work or training92%and stayed there for at least six months

Among pupils from low-income families it was 83%, compared with 92% for everyone else.

Where the ones heading for university went

Went on to degree-level study or training86%England 72%
Top-third universities53%England 22%. The universities that ask for the highest grades
Higher or degree apprenticeship3%England 6%
Higher technical course1%Level 4 or 5, such as an HNC or HND

Among students from low-income families, 86% went on to degree-level study or training.

Earlier years
Destination2022/23 leavers2021/22 leavers2020/21 leavers2019/20 leavers
Still in education, work or training92%87%92%
Education68%63%69%
Apprenticeship3%1%2%3%
Work21%23%22%
Not in education, work or training3%10%6%

Staff and money

From the government's count of school staff in November 2025 and the school's published accounts.

Teachers66.9full-time equivalent, 80 people
Pupils per teacher19.3Pupils for every full-time teacher
Fully qualified teachers100%hold qualified teacher status
Teaching assistants6.9full-time equivalent
Average teacher pay£60,347
Teachers who left in the year16%2024/25, for any reason including retirement
Vacancies0
Sick days per teacher4.02024/25

Money

From the academy accounts return, year to August 2025. The per-pupil figures are compared with other secondary schools in England that report their accounts the same way.

Spend per pupil£6,932England £7,965. Total £8.7m
Income per pupil£6,337England £8,423. Total £8.0m
Spent on teachers per pupil£4,060England £4,444
Money in reserve4%Not much put by: £304k, £241 per pupil. England 10%
Money in against money out-£750kit spent more than it took in this year
Where the money goes£6,932spent per pupil

Reserves are the money left over at the end of the year, kept back for emergencies and big projects. Being in the red year after year is a warning sign. Very large reserves can mean money sitting in the bank instead of being spent on today's pupils. Academy figures are rounded to the nearest £1,000 and include a share of any money the trust holds centrally.

The area around the school

Crimes within 500 m17912 months to June 2026, mostly violence and sexual offences
Local crime rate169 per 1,000 people86% higher than the England average
Typical house price£335,000Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Nearest bus stop140 mMill Road, 9 stops within 500 m

Crime figures come from police.uk. The police record each crime at the nearest of a fixed set of map points rather than the exact spot, so “within 500 m” is only rough. House prices are from HM Land Registry sales nearby over the last two years.

Nearby schools

The closest secondary schools, nearest first. Hover over a row to see it on the map.

Well aboveAboveIn lineBelowWell belowNot scored
SchoolTypeDistancePupilsOfstedScore
The Bishop of Winchester AcademyAcademy390 m1,162Good 202361Compare
Bournemouth SchoolAcademy (grammar)460 m1,320Outstanding 202499Compare
Avonbourne Boys' AcademyAcademy1.4 miles846Outstanding 202385Compare
Avonbourne Girls AcademyAcademy1.4 miles1,160No overall grade 202484Compare
Glenmoor AcademyAcademy1.6 miles902Not inspected97Compare
Winton AcademyAcademy1.7 miles902Outstanding 202495Compare
Livingstone Academy BournemouthFree school2.0 miles1,006Good 202466Compare
The Bourne AcademyAcademy2.1 miles958Good 201944Compare

Compared with schools like it

Our score compares Bournemouth School for Girls with the 50 schools in England whose pupils are most like its own. We match on family income, how many children are learning English, special needs, the neighbourhood, the size of the school and how it admits pupils. Those 50 schools are dotted all over the country, so we don't list them. What matters is where this school sits among them.

Beats40%of schools with a similar mix of pupils
In the lower half of its group. Its score of 96 is about the same as the typical school in the group.
0Lowest of the group 86 · middle 97 · highest 100100

How the score was worked out

The score is out of 100. A 96 means that once everything below is added up, this school comes out ahead of 96% of secondary schools in England. Results bounce around from year to year, especially in small schools, so we also show a likely range: 94 to 98. Every part is judged against schools with a similar mix of pupils. For small schools we pull each part towards the group average, so one unusual year can't swing the score too far.

What we looked atHow much it countsAgainst schools like itEffect on the scoreBased on
Results over three years20%well above
+0.54
2025, 2024 and 2023 results; 177 pupils
Ofsted inspection20%well above
+0.34
Ofsted grade, 2.3 years old
Progress pupils make20%well above
+0.25
DfE progress measure; 177 pupils
Direction of travel over five years10%above
+0.06
results and attendance rising year on year
Attendance and behaviour10%well above
+0.12
2024/25; 903 pupils
Results, allowing for the mix of pupils10%below
-0.07
Attainment relative to schools with a similar intake; 177 pupils
What pupils do next5%well above
+0.09
170 pupils
What parents say0%no data

Worked out on 13 September 2026 (method v1). Read how the score works, including every weight and the checks we run. Think a number is wrong? Tell us.

Questions parents ask

Is Bournemouth School for Girls a good school?

Yes, going by the figures. Bournemouth School for Girls scores 96 out of 100. That is well above schools that take in a similar mix of pupils, and ahead of 40% of the 50 schools most like it in England. The score could fairly be anywhere from 94 to 98, so a few points either way between schools doesn't mean much.

What is Bournemouth School for Girls's Ofsted rating?

Ofsted rated Bournemouth School for Girls outstanding at its last full inspection on 8 May 2024.

How good are Bournemouth School for Girls's GCSE results?

In summer 2025, 96% of pupils got a grade 5 or better in both English and maths. Across England it was 46%. Its Attainment 8 score, which is the average grade across a pupil's best eight subjects times ten, was 72.2, against 46.8 for England. In each subject, pupils here finished most of a grade ahead of children across England who started secondary school at the same level.

How many pupils does Bournemouth School for Girls have?

1,290 pupils aged 11 to 18 were on the roll in January 2026. It has 1,210 places, so it is 107% full. It is a girls' school.

Is Bournemouth School for Girls oversubscribed?

Probably. The school was full in 2024/25, with 77 more pupils than places. How close you live, and the school's other admissions rules, decide who gets in.

Does Bournemouth School for Girls have an entrance exam?

Yes. It is a grammar school, so places depend on an entrance test, usually sat in September of Year 6. Check the school's admissions page for the test dates and the pass mark.

What is attendance like at Bournemouth School for Girls?

Pupils were in school 94.4% of the time in 2024/25. Similar schools in England managed 91.4%. 14% of pupils missed at least a tenth of the year.

How big are the classes at Bournemouth School for Girls?

The average class had 21.7 pupils in January 2026. Across England it was 22.8. 8% of classes had more than 30 pupils.

Does Bournemouth School for Girls have a sixth form?

Yes. The average A level grade in 2025 was B-. 25 A level subjects had results in 2025; the full list is in the results section.

These answers come straight from the figures on this page and update when new data comes out.

Contact and details

Address
Castle Gate Close, Castle Lane West, Bournemouth, BH8 9UJ
Telephone
01202 526289
Website
www.wearebsg.uk
Headteacher
Mr David Sims
Type of school
Converter academy (Academy converter, academies)
Phase
Secondary school, ages 11-18, with sixth form
Gender
Girls
Religious character
None
Single-academy trust
Bournemouth School for Girls (1 schools)
Local authority
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Ward
Muscliff & Strouden Park
Constituency
Bournemouth East
Setting
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city
Opened
1 August 2011 (academy converter)
URN
136996 · LAESTAB 8395405 · UKPRN 10034588
Formerly
Bournemouth School for Girls

Recent changes

  • New KS4 results for 2024/25

Where these figures come from