Bournemouth School 11 Plus (11+) Entrance Exam Information 2026

Introduction

Bournemouth School, founded in 1901, is a grammar school in Charminster, Bournemouth. It provides education for boys aged 11 to 18 and is entirely devoted to unlocking their potential and bringing out their best. The school maintains strong ties with Bournemouth School for Girls.

The curriculum at the school allows all students to reach their academic goals. All key stages of the syllabus are designed to provide students with the best possible conditions to succeed by offering challenging but achievable goals while taking their abilities into consideration, encouraging independent learning, and promoting equal opportunities. 

Bournemouth School offers students more than 25 hours of structured learning every week as well as many additional activities outside the classroom. Moreover, the school strives to ensure that students’ interests and talents are met with ample opportunities, such as sporting events, music classes, the Combined Cadet Force, scouting, etc.

At Bournemouth School, creating a secure and comfortable environment for pupils is a top priority, and this value is at the heart of its ethos. With its hard work and dedication, the school has created a desirable environment that celebrates every individual’s success and motivates its students to strive for excellence in each area of their life. The teachers play a critical role in establishing these principles, and their passion for creating such an atmosphere in every subject is the key to the school’s long-standing success.

The school’s Ofsted report shows that Bournemouth School is a resounding success, having achieved the highest rank of “Outstanding”. Students excel in their academic pursuits, making remarkable progress and attaining high marks across the board. Their development outside of academia is also noteworthy, particularly in their contribution to school life and their commitment to their community. [1]

Bournemouth School 11 Plus (11+) Admissions

Admission to Bournemouth School in Year 7 is determined by pupil performance in the 11 Plus exam. There are currently 150 places allocated to Year 7 students. The school encourages prospective students and their parents to attend one of their open evenings, which take place in July. More information about the admissions process is provided on the night and students will have the opportunity to meet with staff and the Headmaster.

Once your son has taken the entrance exam, an application needs to be made through your local authority’s application system. In most cases, applications can be made online through your local authority’s website.

Any late applications will be handled after all those received within the deadline have been dealt with. In cases where there are more applicants than available places in Year 7, the school uses its over-subscription criteria, giving priority to:

• Students who are, or have previously been in looked-after care.
• Those with the highest test scores
• Pupils who live in Bournemouth and are ineligible for a Pupil Premium grant.
• Those who live outside of Bournemouth and are eligible for a Pupil Premium grant.

For more information on Bournemouth School’s admission criteria, please follow this link. You can view the school’s exact location on the map below:

How to Apply for 11 Plus (11+) Entry to Bournemouth School

Parents of students who wish to register their son to sit the entrance tests, need to register with the school before the exam date. The registration form can be completed online.

Late registrations will only be accepted in certain situations, such as illness, bereavement, or other circumstances out with control of the parents.

For pupils who were registered after the closing date, there is an opportunity to sit the entrance exam once the first round of allocations is completed.

Bournemouth School Catchment Area

Does Bournemouth School have a catchment area?

Yes, they do. For Bournemouth School, priority catchment area is defined by the postal addresses of BH1, BH2, BH3, BH4, BH5, BH6, BH7, BH8, BH9, BH10, BH11, BH12 5, BH23 1, BH23 2 and BH23 3.

How to Prepare for the Bournemouth School 11 Plus (11+) Exam?

It’s best to start preparing for the 11 Plus exam early. The more time your child has to study, the more time they’ll have to improve any gaps in their knowledge. We recommend a ‘little but often’ approach to studying for the entrance exam, by mapping out a study timetable. This way, you’ll ensure that your child covers everything they’ll need to know for the exam but won’t become overwhelmed by the workload.

At Exam Papers Plus, we’ve written several articles on studying for the exam. Some of which include:

• An 11 Plus Guide for Parents
• The 11 Plus English Exam: What You Need to Know
• 11 Plus Verbal Reasoning Exam Preparation
• An 11 Plus Guide to Maths

We believe in introducing practice exam papers early in your child revision. Not only do practice papers help identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses, but they can familiarise them with the layout of the tests and the types of questions they may be asked.

As exam day approaches, try doing timed practice papers with your child to help improve their time management skills and get them used to answering questions to a deadline.

Bournemouth School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Pass Marks and Target Scores

Bournemouth School doesn’t have a specific pass mark. Pupils who are able to score 80%+ consistently in our 11+ practice tests should be on track to pass the 11+ test in Bournemouth School.

Whilst there are no guarantees, this has historically been a fairly strong indicator that your child should do well in the Bournemouth School 11+ exam. Please click here to learn more.

Bournemouth School 11 Plus (11+) Practice Exam Papers

Our practice tests aim to show what sort of questions have been included in Bournemouth School 11+ past papers. The information provided about Bournemouth School is believed to be correct at the time of publishing. However, please be aware of future changes. We advise you to contact the school directly if you are unsure of anything. School contact details are provided within the article.

Please note that Exam Papers Plus is an independent publisher of practice tests and resources, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Bournemouth School.