Ofsted Reports & School Profile

"Poole Grammar School is forward thinking and outward looking. A tangible ethos of 'personal excellence through commitment and service' is at the core of everything it does. It provides a good standard of education for all learners and has many outstanding attributes. As one parent astutely commented, 'The boys' welfare matters to the staff. There is a good balance between academic excellence and other activities and teachers provide positive role models."
HMI Christopher Wood (HMI) Lead Ofsted Inspector

Poole Grammar School was praised in its recent Ofsted inspection for many aspects of the quality of education it provides. For example the outstanding personal development of its pupils, the very high standards reached by pupils, the good progress they make and the quality of its curriculum. Reference was also made to the strong and unwavering leadership of the Headmaster and his senior team.

Inspectors were particularly impressed with the pastoral care and careers guidance within the school which was judged as outstanding; for example pupils making a positive contribution to the community and the adoption of healthy lifestyles. The inspectors highlighted the school's contribution to promoting community cohesion particularly through its work as a specialist Maths, Computing and Cognition College. The report emphasised that in the Sixth Form, students work to a high standard and pass rates are high with students making good overall progress.

The inspection praised the detailed and self-critical self-evaluation, which had already raised the issues that the inspection team judged could be further improved. The two areas Ofsted commented on for development were (i) To challenge pupils more to take the initiative in lessons and be responsible for their own learning and (ii) develop a range of assessment strategies to enable pupils to know exactly what they need to do to make further progress.

Ian Carter, Headmaster, commented,

"We were very pleased that Ofsted appreciated 'the tangible ethos of personal excellence through commitment and service which is at the core of everything the school does'. The inspection team were very thorough and highlighted the 'good balance' between academic excellence and other activities. This illustrates that Poole Grammar School is not an exam factory but a school where the individual and pastoral care is at the heart of its mission. Young men leave Poole Grammar School with good academic results but more importantly they are well balanced individuals who will contribute to the world around them".

He went on to say,

"How proud he was to lead a team of such talented teachers and support staff who were totally committed to providing pupils with the best possible education they could and would no doubt continue to do so under the careful guidance of an exceptional Governing Body. The school is not complacent and valued the 'health check' that Ofsted has provided and will be focussing its efforts on being the outstanding boys' grammar school on the South Coast."