Bournemouth & Poole 11+: the BCP grammar schools test

Bournemouth and Poole's four grammar schools share one GL entrance test in English, Maths and Verbal Reasoning. A guide to the format, registration and preparation.

Bournemouth & Poole grammar schools consortium entrance test: key facts

Typical test date: The entrance test is sat on a Saturday in late September of Year 6
Papers: Three GL Assessment multiple-choice tests
Duration: Standard GL test lengths; confirm exact timings with the consortium each year
Subjects: English, Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning (no non-verbal reasoning)
Indicative qualifying threshold: A standardised qualifying score is used; the four schools are popular, so treat any threshold as indicative and confirm with the consortium
Registration window: Registration typically opens in April and closes in early September of Year 6 — register before the deadline to secure a test place

Why Bournemouth & Poole is different

Bournemouth and Poole, on the Dorset coast within the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) area, have four grammar schools: Bournemouth School (boys), Bournemouth School for Girls, Poole Grammar School (boys) and Parkstone Grammar School (girls). The four operate a single shared selection test, so a child considering more than one of them sits just one set of papers rather than several.

The consortium test is produced by GL Assessment and consists of three multiple-choice papers — English, Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning. There is no non-verbal reasoning paper, which narrows the preparation compared with regions that test all four 11+ disciplines.

Registration and the application route are two separate steps. Families register their child for the entrance test with the consortium, then — after the test — apply for school places through their home local authority, with BCP Council coordinating offers for out-of-area families.

How the Bournemouth & Poole grammar schools consortium entrance test is structured

Three GL Assessment multiple-choice papers: English, Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning. There is no non-verbal reasoning paper.
The test is sat on a Saturday in late September of Year 6, at the school with which the child is registered.
Scores are age-standardised in the usual GL way, so summer-born children are not disadvantaged against older classmates.
Registration is with the consortium and typically opens in April, closing in early September — register well before the deadline.
After the test, school places are applied for through the home local authority's secondary application; BCP Council coordinates for out-of-area families.

Notable grammar schools in Bournemouth & Poole

4 grammar schools across Bournemouth and Poole.

Bournemouth School (boys)
Bournemouth School for Girls
Poole Grammar School (boys)
Parkstone Grammar School (girls)

How to prepare your child for the Bournemouth & Poole 11+

Because the BCP test covers English, Maths and Verbal Reasoning only, focus preparation there and do not spend time on non-verbal reasoning, which is not tested. Strong reading and comprehension, secure Maths above Year 5 level, and fluency across the GL verbal reasoning question types are the priorities — our exam boards comparison sets out those GL question types.

Register early. Because the test sits on a single Saturday in late September with a firm registration deadline in early September, a missed deadline means a missed year — diarise the April opening and complete registration well ahead. Confirm the exact dates with the consortium, as they shift slightly year to year.

Use timed practice papers from the spring of Year 5 to build pace, and an errors log to target weak spots — see our guide to using practice papers well. For a starting benchmark across English, Maths and reasoning, our free diagnostic at grammarprep.uk/onboarding shows where your child stands.

Frequently asked questions about the Bournemouth & Poole 11+

Which grammar schools are in Bournemouth and Poole?

There are four: Bournemouth School (boys), Bournemouth School for Girls, Poole Grammar School (boys) and Parkstone Grammar School (girls). They share a single entrance test.

What does the Bournemouth and Poole 11+ test cover?

Three GL Assessment multiple-choice papers: English, Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning. There is no non-verbal reasoning paper.

Do I have to sit separate tests for each school?

No. The four schools run one shared consortium test, so a child considering more than one of them sits a single set of papers rather than multiple separate tests.

When is the test and when does registration close?

The test is sat on a Saturday in late September of Year 6. Registration typically opens in April and closes in early September, so register well before the deadline to secure a place.

How do I apply for a place after the test?

Registering for the test is separate from applying for a school place. After the test you apply through your home local authority's secondary application; BCP Council coordinates offers for families living outside the BCP area.

Is the test age-standardised?

Yes. Like other GL tests, scores are age-standardised so that summer-born children are not disadvantaged against older children in the same year group.