Bournemouth School for Girls 11+ Guide

About Bournemouth School for Girls

Bournemouth School for Girls is a selective secondary school in Dorset. For children to get into Bournemouth School for Girls they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, Bournemouth School for Girls is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Nestled in the heart of Dorset, Bournemouth School for Girls is a beacon of academic excellence and holistic education. As a grammar academy with a focus on humanities, BSG nurtures the minds and hearts of approximately 1,200 young women aged 11 to 18. The school's unwavering commitment to providing exceptional pastoral care and educational opportunities is evident in every aspect of its curriculum.

At BSG, learning extends far beyond the confines of the classroom. With an impressive array of over 50 clubs and activities available each week during lunchtime, students have ample opportunities to explore their passions and cultivate new interests. From the sports fields to the drama stage and music halls, the school fosters an environment where girls can thrive and discover their unique talents. The extensive extra-curricular offerings are a testament to BSG's dedication to nurturing well-rounded individuals.

The school's innovative house system further enhances the sense of community and leadership among its students. Each house, proudly bearing the name of an influential female leader, assigns students specific roles and responsibilities related to athletics, performing arts, and philanthropic endeavors. This system encourages girls to develop essential skills, such as teamwork, communication, and empathy, while also instilling a sense of pride and belonging.

BSG's educational philosophy extends beyond academic achievement, emphasizing the importance of spiritual, cultural, and moral development. The school encourages its students to embrace hard work, kindness, and ambition, recognizing that true success encompasses more than just excellent exam results. Through its affiliation with the South West Academic Trust, BSG collaborates with esteemed institutions like the University of Exeter and other grammar schools in the region, enabling the implementation of innovative teaching methods and providing unparalleled opportunities for both staff and students.

With a legacy spanning over a century, Bournemouth School for Girls continues to empower young women to confidently navigate the world, equipped with the skills and determination to make a positive impact. The school's consistently high exam results, placing it among the top state schools in the country, are a testament to the dedication and expertise of its faculty and the unwavering commitment of its students. At BSG, girls not only receive an exceptional education but also embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery and growth.

School Information

Below you will find further information about Bournemouth School for Girls together with their admissions contact details.

Bournemouth School for Girls is a girls only school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).

In total 1,179 pupils attend Bournemouth School for Girls and it's led by the Headteacher, Mr David Sims.

Bournemouth School for Girls Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Bournemouth School for Girls for the 2022-23 academic year.

Dorset 11+ Information

In order to get into Bournemouth School for Girls, children need to pass the Dorset 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.

Dorset 11+ Subjects & Structure

The Dorset 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• Maths
• English
• Verbal Reasoning

The Dorset Consortium 11 plus entrance exam is the admissions test used by Bournemouth School. This challenging assessment consists of three separate papers designed to evaluate a child's academic potential and suitability for the school's curriculum.

The exam comprises a 50-minute Maths test, a 45-minute English test, and a 50-minute Verbal Reasoning test. All questions across the three papers are presented in a multiple-choice format, with students required to mark their answers on dedicated answer sheets. These answer sheets are then electronically marked to ensure accuracy and efficiency in the grading process.

The 11 plus exam aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of a student's abilities in key areas, testing their numerical skills, literacy and comprehension, and logical thinking. Success in this entrance exam is a crucial step for students seeking admission to Bournemouth School, as it helps to identify those who are most likely to thrive within the school's academically rigorous environment.

Other Schools using Dorset 11+

As well as Bournemouth School for Girls, several other schools also use Dorset 11+. These are:

• Bournemouth School
• Parkstone Grammar School
• Poole Grammar School

Dorset 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Bournemouth School for Girls is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

Dorset 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the Dorset 11+ changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at Bournemouth School for Girls, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Ofsted Information

Bournemouth School for Girls was last inspected by Ofsted on 10/10/2012 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 07/11/2012, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Bournemouth School for Girls per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Unfortunately, Bournemouth School for Girls has not made any of their past 11+ papers publicly available.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the Dorset 11+ Ensure you double-check with Bournemouth School for Girls which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.