Poole Grammar School (commonly abbreviated to PGS) is an 11–18 selective boys grammar school and academy in the coastal town of Poole in Dorset, in the south of England. It is a member of the South West Academic Trust (SWAT). The school was a mathematics and computing school, with an additional specialism, cognition, added in 2006.
The school has a reputation for academic excellence. In recent years both GCSE and A-level progress rates have been in the top 25% of schools and colleges in England.
Poole Grammar School has six community values:
Compassion
Integrity
Motivation
Respect
Teamwork
Wisdom
These values form the basis of the school's student leadership programme and are central themes in assemblies through the school year.
Poole Grammar School is situated in the north of Poole, on the A349 (known locally as Gravel Hill), in a campus built in 1966, with various additions made since.
History
Although a grammar school existed in Poole town for a while some three hundred years ago, the present Poole Grammar School dates from 1904 when it opened as Poole Secondary School. For a time the school was co-educational, but became a single sex school in the late 1930s with Poole Grammar School catering for boys only and Parkstone Grammar School for girls only. Poole Grammar School became a foundation school on 1st September 1999 and then became a trust school on 1st April 2008, when it joined the South West Academic Trust (SWAT), an association of grammar schools in the SW of England. On 1st July 2011 the school converted to academy status as a stand-alone academy trust.
The school was originally situated in the centre of Poole, but outgrew its site in the 1960s. The school moved into new buildings on its present site in 1966 on what was then a heathland area on the main Poole to Wimborne road. In spite of significant housing development since then, the school enjoys a pleasant position, bordered on one side by a belt of trees and very close to protected woodland and lowland heath.
"Poole Grammar School students "
Overview
Admissions
The school has accepted students from the age of 11 (Year 7) since 2013 after a large-scale change to the structure of schooling in Poole.
Applicants to Year 7 must sit an entrance exam (the 11+) in the autumn term of Year 6 to prove that they are of grammar school standard. The same entrance exam is used by Bournemouth School, Bournemouth School for Girls and Parkstone Grammar School.
Poole Grammar School admits 180 students into Year 7 on 1st September of each academic year. Students are placed into one of six tutor groups, each comprising 30 students.
Up to 30 external students are admitted each year into Year 12 of the school's Sixth Form.
School Uniform
A representation of the three ties worn by students at Poole Grammar School.
Poole Grammar School students in Years 7–11 wear a uniform of green blazer, white shirt and dark grey or black trousers.
Sixth Form Students are required to wear smart uniform or suits with a tie. As of September 2024, the dress code has been relaxed to allow for more casual wear.
All students are required to wear coloured lanyards with ID cards which correspond to the year they are in.
For physical education (PE) lessons students are expected to wear Joma's green and black PE shirt, along with black shorts (either own or Joma branded), either white or black socks and trainers. Additionally, Joma released a black sports jacket with the school's logo on it and a backpack.
For games lessons, the school have released a reversible jersey made of the same material as the PE shirt, but with green and yellow stripes. This can be accompanied with the same attire as the PE shirt, and boys are requested to wear gum shields and shin pads when necessary.
When attending science classes or certain design technology classes the boys are expected to bring a white lab coat.[1]
Curriculum subjects
Poole Grammar School students must study GCSEs in either double or triple science (biology, chemistry and physics), English language and literature, mathematics, and religion & philosophy. The school also offers optional GCSEs in art (fine), art (3D design graphics), computer science, design technology, drama, electronics, food technology, geography, history, modern foreign languages (French, German, and Spanish), music and physical education (PE).
Students in Poole Grammar School Sixth Form are expected to study at least three A-levels and an additional qualification. Currently the choice of additional qualification includes the level 3 Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), further mathematics at AS or A-level or level 3 core mathematics.
A-Levels available at Poole Grammar School Sixth Form include: art (fine), art (3D design graphics), biology, business, chemistry, computer science, design technology, drama, economics, electronics, English language, English literature, French, geography, German, government & politics, history, media studies, music, physics, psychology, philosophy, Spanish and sociology.
Some A-level subjects are offered in partnership with Parkstone Grammar School (drama, English language, French, German, media studies, Spanish and sociology).
When funding allows, the school is seeking to introduce two further A-level subjects: environmental science and physical education.
Sporting subjects
Sport is a major part of life at Poole Grammar School. The school owns large playing fields adjacent to the main buildings. They are used as football and rugby pitches, with two overlapping cricket fields and as a running track during the summer. Students also play sports on the school playground. The two large gyms provide changing facilities, a climbing wall, indoor volleyball courts and a room for weights and fitness training. The school boasts two astroturf tennis courts, installed in 2008 and a multi-use games area (MUGA) was installed in 2010.[2] In 2021 Poole Grammar School was granted £3.8 million from the UK Government to build new sports facilities.[3] The new Sports Centre opened in September 2023.
Students partake in many sports throughout the year from football to tennis. During the winter term, students participate in rugby during their games lessons. During the spring term, they play football. In the summer term, students play a variety of games including cricket, tennis and softball. Most of these sports contain an inter-form tournament towards the end of the term. Students competing in cross country running train on Canford Heath during lunch hour.[2]
Headteachers
Mr. John Dyson Esq. 1904-1906 (Chairman of Governors, no Headmaster yet appointed)
Mr. G. E. Boyer, 1906–7
Mr. Albert James Mockridge, 1907–1928
Mr. Archibald Greenfield, 1928–1950
Mr. Frank H. Stevens, 1950–1954
Mr. John Cleave, 1954-1972 (after whom the school theatre is named)
Mr. Nigel Gilpin, 1973-1990 (to whom the school's main hall is dedicated)
