grammar schools with no catchment area

[ToadMum]

Please think about travel before you apply ...

Oh, don't spoil all our fun - some of us really enjoy the "we live 58 miles away from the school we chose for DS / DD to start at in September and we have just found that there is no school transport so we're looking for a car-share" posts, you know

That being said, I'm sure the OP has thought of the practicalities.

[Bourne Mum]

Bournemouth & Poole Grammars have no catchment per se. Bournemouth takes the top 120 scores from anywhere in the world. The remaining 30 places are for Bournemouth kids in ranking order. If those 30 spaces are not filled up, the remaining ones are then open to out of catchment in ranking order. Poole on the other hand allocates to all Poole kids with a pass regardless of ranking order. Any remaining spaces are available to the rest of the world in ranking order. Kids who'v sat both tests say the Poole test is easier. Bournemouth - English, Maths, Essay, Verbal Reasoning. Poole - English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning & Non Verbal Reasoning.

[Reading Mum]

How is a super selective distinguished from a grammar then? Just by virtue of it having no catchment?

super selective tend to take only those with the very top marks - maybe top 2-5%. Bucks county (as an example - not singling out) gives grammar places to top 30% of children which is a quite different intake.

[BournemouthDad]

Bournemouth & Poole Grammars have no catchment per se. Bournemouth takes the top 120 scores from anywhere in the world. The remaining 30 places are for Bournemouth kids in ranking order. If those 30 spaces are not filled up, the remaining ones are then open to out of catchment in ranking order. Poole on the other hand allocates to all Poole kids with a pass regardless of ranking order. Any remaining spaces are available to the rest of the world in ranking order. Kids who'v sat both tests say the Poole test is easier. Bournemouth - English, Maths, Essay, Verbal Reasoning. Poole - English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning & Non Verbal Reasoning.

A real shame that Bournemouth don't do NVR

We live a literal stones throw from BS and its somewhat annoying that someone from London could take the place of our son. Not sure we will apply for Poole too though.

[Bourne Mum]

Not sure we will apply for Poole too though.

Something to consider is the differences between the two schools. Poole (PGS) is a Mathematics & Engineering specialist school & Bournemouth is a Languages Specialist. We live closer to BS & DS passed both but he has chosen PGS as he's more into maths. Funny enough the son of the PGS head teacher went to BS as he was more suited to that. The schools do feel very different to each other.

[BournemouthDad]

Not sure we will apply for Poole too though.

Something to consider is the differences between the two schools. Poole (PGS) is a Mathematics & Engineering specialist school & Bournemouth is a Languages Specialist. We live closer to BS & DS passed both but he has chosen PGS as he's more into maths. Funny enough the son of the PGS head teacher went to BS as he was more suited to that. The schools do feel very different to each other.

Now this was my thought pattern when we started down this path. However we went to see Poole on an open even and I'll be honest, we didn't like the feel of it. Bournemouth was the exact opposite and blew us away. Then, when checking results, it appears that Bournemouth normally getting better maths results anyway so it kind of made our decision for us. Well that and being a short walk rather than a long car journey away.

Its just as shame that BS don't use the NVR paper as its my sons strongest paper and we were very happy right up to the point that someone pointed out its not used. That's why we even considered Poole in the first place as we knew he'd have an easier time getting in, but given the choice between Poole and Bishop of Winchester we'd go for BoW, so that hopefully makes this coming Autumn less stressful.

[Guest55]

Specialisms mean nothing now - there is no additional funding.

Incidentally they do not always reflect a strength of a school as I know of a couple who applied for a 'specialism' to attract good staff and get money to improve a weak department!

[Bourne Mum]

Then, when checking results, it appears that Bournemouth normally getting better maths results anway

Haha that's funny.

We too liked the feel of BS better. Something about the old English feel but DS was hellbent on PGS because of their formula 24 team. He is obsessed with car racing & engineering. Anyway off topic. All the best to your DS