What should I consider before I apply?
Before you make your decision about applying for entry to Bournemouth School, please try to think about:
- Whether your son has a realistic chance of passing our tests - please speak to his current Headteacher for advice.
- Whether you can arrange transport, especially outside normal school hours. This is important if boys are to gain full benefit from our extra-curricular programme and is particularly relevant if you live outside Bournemouth.
- Whether your son (and you) will be at ease with our discipline and uniform codes.
If you have ANY questions or concerns, please contact us on 01202 512609 or by email office@bournemouth-school.org It is vital that you are in possession of all the information that you require before you make this important decision.
Does it matter where I live?
In each year the 120 highest performers in the entrance tests are offered a place at the school regardless of where they live. The remaining available places are offered firstly to those eligible boys (in rank order of their entrance test scores) who live in the Borough of Bournemouth. If there are still any places available, they are offered to eligible boys who live outside Bournemouth (in rank order of their entrance test scores).
How do apply for my son to join Bournemouth School?
- Apply to Bournemouth School for testing using the registration form before noon on the 12th September 2013
AND
- Apply to your 'home' local authority on the common application form before the 31st October 2013
How do I register my son for the entrance tests?
The registration form is available on our website under Registering for Testing
What happens if I miss the deadlines either to register my son for the entrance tests or to apply to my local authority?
For children whose registration or common application form (or both) were submitted after the closing dates, there will be an opportunity to sit the school entrance tests for consideration after the first round of allocations on 1st March 2014.
What happens after I have registered?
Once you have registered for testing you will receive a computer generated email to confirm your application.
At the beginning of September we will send out the familiarisation sheets and details of the test day. If you do not receive this information by the 17th September 2013 please contact us immediately.
When is my son tested?
For entry to Year 7 in September 2014 the entrance tests will be held on Saturday, 28th September 2013.
What tests are used?
For information about the tests that are used, and for guidance about preparation for the tests, please see the section on Admission Tests.
Does it matter whether my son has an early or late birthday when he takes the tests, i.e. are older pupils advantaged?
No. The tests used are devised by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NfER) for GL Assessment and have been tried and tested over time. The results are adjusted according to age therefore it does not matter in which month your son was born as the results are standardised by NfER to take this into account.
What if my son's first language is not English?
The tests are set in English and cannot be translated as part of the test is the cognitive understanding of English.
When are the results of the entrance tests sent out?
The results of the tests will be sent out on Friday, 18th October 2013 by first class post.
Does passing the entrance tests guarantee that my son will be offered a place?
No. Meeting the required standard and being considered eligible does not guarantee that your son will be offered a place at Bournemouth School as the school is usually oversubscribed and the oversubscription criteria has to be applied.
What if my son has special educational needs, a disability or a Statement?
Please complete the Registering for Testing form with full details of any special educational need or disability. This will allow us to make appropriate arrangements to test your son. This information may be used on the test day to help support your son to demonstrate his potential. Please telephone Admissions at the school to discuss as soon as possible on 01202 512609.
What do I do if my son is unwell on the day of the entrance test?
Please do not send your son to sit the entrance tests if he has not been well just before or on day of the entrance tests. He may not do his best and if he is not successful you will always wonder if he could have done better. Please ring us as soon as possible and we will make alternative arrangements for your son to sit the tests during the following week. If your son has a long term illness then please contact us as soon as possible.
When will I know if my son has been offered a place?
Letters will be posted by your 'home' Local Authority offering you a school place subject to your preferences and eligibility on the 1st March 2014.
Can I have copies of my son's exam papers?
No. As part of our agreement with GL Assessment we are not allowed to copy the question or answer papers and have to return all stationary to GL Assessment for pulping.
When does the waiting list end?
The waiting list for Year 7 ends on the 31 December 2014. Applicants wishing to continue on the waiting list must re-apply to the school between 1 December and 31 December 2014.
How do I contact the school?
To contact our Admissions Office please ring 01202 512609 and ask to speak with the Admissions Secretary or by email office@bournemouth-school.org
How do I contact my Local Authority?
After your son has sat the entrance tests for Bournemouth School you will need to complete a common application form which is available from your ‘home’ Local Authority. Details of those local to Bournemouth are listed below. Applicants resident outside Bournemouth must return their forms to their ‘home’ LA, who will forward the application to Bournemouth LA.
Bournemouth Address:
Admissions Team, Extension 3, Town Hall, Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth. BH2 6DY
Telephone: 01202 456223 On-line form: https://enrol.bournemouth.gov.uk
Dorset Address:
School Admissions Team, Dorset County Council, County Hall, Dorchester. DT1 1XJ
Telephone: 01305 228509 Email: admissions@dorsetcc.gov.uk Website: http://www.dorsetforyou.com
Hampshire Address:
County Admissions Team, Childrens Services Department, Hampshire County Council, The Castle, Winchester, Hampshire. SO23 8UG
Telephone: 0845 603 5623 Email: admissions.team@hants.gov.uk Website: http://www.hants.gov.uk/education/admissions
Poole Address:
Children & Young Peoples Integrated Services, Poole Borough Council, Dolphin Centre, Poole. BH15 1SA
Telephone: 01202 261936 Email: school.admissions@poole.gov.uk Website: http://www.boroughofpoole.com