Schools in Bournemouth: Ofsted Ratings (2026)
236 registered schools in Bournemouth, South West. 64% are rated Good or Outstanding by Ofsted. Browse the best primary and secondary schools below, then check a specific postcode for catchment distance.
236
Schools total
186 primary · 39 secondary
64%
Good or Outstanding
152 of 236
56
Rated Outstanding
96
Rated Good
Best primary schools in Bournemouth
186 primary schools, sorted by Ofsted rating (Outstanding first). Showing the top 25.
| School | Postcode | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|
| Ashley Infant School | BH25 5AA | Outstanding |
| Baden-Powell and St Peter's Church of England Junior School | BH14 8UL | Outstanding |
| Bransgore Church of England Primary School | BH23 8JH | Outstanding |
| Broadstone First School | BH18 8AA | Outstanding |
| Canford Heath Infant School | BH17 8PJ | Outstanding |
| Cerne Abbas CofE VC First School | DT2 7LA | Outstanding |
| Cheselbourne Village School | DT2 7NT | Outstanding |
| Colehill First School | BH21 2LZ | Outstanding |
| Cranborne Church of England First School | BH21 5QB | Outstanding |
| Damers First School | DT1 3DF | Outstanding |
| Elm Academy | BH11 9JN | Outstanding |
| Hampreston Church of England Voluntary Aided First School | BH21 7LX | Outstanding |
| Hayeswood First School | BH21 2HN | Outstanding |
| Henbury View First School | BH21 3TR | Outstanding |
| Jewell Academy Bournemouth | BH8 0LT | Outstanding |
| Lilliput Church of England Infant School | BH14 8JX | Outstanding |
| Merley First School | BH21 1SD | Outstanding |
| Milborne St Andrew First School | DT11 0JE | Outstanding |
| Mudeford Community Infants' School | BH23 3HH | Outstanding |
| Mudeford Junior School | BH23 3HP | Outstanding |
| New Milton Infant School | BH25 6PZ | Outstanding |
| Old Town Infant School and Nursery | BH15 1QB | Outstanding |
| Piddle Valley Church of England First School | DT2 7QL | Outstanding |
| Pokesdown Community Primary School | BH5 2AS | Outstanding |
| Portesham Church of England Primary School | DT3 4HP | Outstanding |
Best secondary schools in Bournemouth
39 secondary schools, sorted by Ofsted rating. Showing the top 25.
| School | Postcode | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|
| Bournemouth School | BH8 9PY | Outstanding |
| Bournemouth School for Girls | BH8 9UJ | Outstanding |
| Lytchett Minster School | BH16 6JD | Outstanding |
| Magna Academy | BH17 8RE | Outstanding |
| The Gryphon School | DT9 4EQ | Outstanding |
| The Thomas Hardye School | DT1 2ET | Outstanding |
| The Woodroffe School | DT7 3LX | Outstanding |
| Twynham School | BH23 1JF | Outstanding |
| Avonbourne Girls Academy | BH7 6NY | Good |
| Beaminster School | DT8 3EP | Good |
| Dorset Studio School | DT2 8PX | Good |
| Glenmoor Academy | BH10 4EX | Good |
| Highcliffe School | BH23 4QD | Good |
| LeAF Studio | BH11 9JW | Good |
| Parkstone Grammar School | BH17 7EP | Good |
| Queen Elizabeth's School | BH21 4DT | Good |
| Ringwood School Academy | BH24 1SE | Good |
| St Edward's Roman Catholic/Church of England School, Poole | BH15 3HY | Good |
| The Arnewood School | BH25 6RS | Good |
| The Bishop of Winchester Academy | BH8 9PW | Good |
| The Bourne Academy | BH10 5HS | Good |
| The Sir John Colfox Academy | DT6 3DT | Good |
| The Swanage School | BH19 2PH | Good |
| Winton Academy | BH10 4HT | Good |
| Corfe Hills School | BH18 9BG | Requires improvement |
Check schools near a specific Bournemouth address
Ofsted ratings tell you which schools are strong, but admission depends on distance. A PostcodeCheck area report lists every school near your exact postcode with its rating, type, and distance, plus crime, flood, broadband, and house-price data.
Schools in Bournemouth: FAQ
How many schools are there in Bournemouth?
There are 236 registered schools in Bournemouth on the latest Ofsted/GIAS data — 186 primary, 39 secondary, and the remainder all-through, special, or 16+ providers. Of these, 64% are rated Good or Outstanding.
What is the best-rated school in Bournemouth?
56 schools are rated Outstanding by Ofsted in Bournemouth, and 96 more are rated Good. Outstanding schools are often oversubscribed, so proximity (your postcode's distance to the school) usually determines whether you can get a place.
How do I check school catchment for a Bournemouth postcode?
Catchment depends on the exact address. Enter any Bournemouth postcode into PostcodeCheck and the area report lists every school near that postcode, its Ofsted rating, type, and distance — the data admissions teams use to decide places.
Does living near a good school in Bournemouth affect house prices?
Yes. Homes inside the effective catchment of an Outstanding or Good school typically command a 5-15% premium. The effect is strongest for primary schools, where catchment areas are smaller and admissions are tightly distance-based.