Parkstone Grammar vs Bournemouth Girls

[weymouthdad]

We got confirmation on Monday that our dd has scored 364 but we are out of catchment for both schools. I called the admissions team in Bournemouth girls and they said it was a very high score and she should get admission easily. Given that Parkstone school cutoff was lower I am assuming we'll get in there too.

We visited both the schools few months ago and found both of them to be good but now's the decision time and can't really decide which school to prefer though we are leaning towards Bournemouth - we live in Weymouth so would have to relocate either way. I know the results would have been caused pain for some parents so I am not trying to be insensitive here. Instead genuinely trying to understand what's best for our daughter. Can anyone share their experience/knowledge/wisdom about the good, the bad of both schools as they are today?

Thank you

[canning80]

I don’t have personal experience of either school yet, but BSG offer to the top 130 scores regardless of catchment don’t they? Then the rest of the spaces by priority catchment. So more people tend to apply there due to the OOC and it’s one of the reasons that the standardised score is higher perhaps? Could BSG could give you an indication of whether she’s is in the top 130 scores? Parkstone have told me this week that historically they have been able to offer a place to everyone who passed who lives in their priority postcode area, then a few out of catchment places are usually offered based on highest score.

[weymouthdad]

Yeah she's in top 100, BSG confirmed it. So in effect, she's guaranteed admission in both BSG and Parkstone. The question though is which one to go with? Good Schools have BSG in their top 100 in UK. I will wait for some responses from parents with first hand experience; otherwise I may end up seeking advice from an education consultant.

[canning80]

Yes if you were to move to a priority postcode in Poole you would be offered a Parkstone place, assuming everyone in catchment is offered a place this year.

[canning80]

I have friends with daughters at BSG in various year groups, all seem happy.

[bournemouth2023]

Don't you need to have moved by the 31st October to get an in catchment area place though?

[canning80]

I’m not sure. You could call admissions at Parkstone, they are quite helpful.

[hermanmunster]

Don't you need to have moved by the 31st October to get an in catchment area place though?

yes date is taken as at 31st October - see page 5 https://www.parkstone.poole.sch.uk/wp-c ... NAL-23.pdf

[Here we go!]

I have two daughters at BSG and can’t speak highly enough of it. My daughters are very different but both have found lovely friends, get involved in the huge number of clubs and activities and are thriving academically

There’s been a change in head however he’s shown himself to have the same ethos of focusing on the girls well-being.

The girls are trusted and encouraged to be independent and it works.

The PSA (parents) is great too, you can get involved as much as you want to. They do fun activities and it helps fund additional things for the school. Earlier this terms on an inset day they took 530+ girls to Thorpe park. The girls behaved amazingly.

They have a fantastic music and performing arts department too, they encourage everyone to get involved and they have a lot of fun.

The girls come from all over the place and all seem to feel part of the school . There are bus services from all over the place and some use the train too.

Congrats on passing, she’s in a great position

[weymouthdad]

I have two daughters at BSG and can’t speak highly enough of it. My daughters are very different but both have found lovely friends, get involved in the huge number of clubs and activities and are thriving academically

There’s been a change in head however he’s shown himself to have the same ethos of focusing on the girls well-being.

The girls are trusted and encouraged to be independent and it works.

The PSA (parents) is great too, you can get involved as much as you want to. They do fun activities and it helps fund additional things for the school. Earlier this terms on an inset day they took 530+ girls to Thorpe park. The girls behaved amazingly.

They have a fantastic music and performing arts department too, they encourage everyone to get involved and they have a lot of fun.

The girls come from all over the place and all seem to feel part of the school . There are bus services from all over the place and some use the train too.

Congrats on passing, she’s in a great position

Thank you so much, really helpful insights into the school. Not sure about public transport though so we will aim to find a place as close as possible to the school.