SchoolScoresSt Aldhelm's Academy
Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 16 · Mixed
Part of AUTHENTIC EDUCATION GROUP LIMITED
Herbert Avenue, Poole, BH12 4HS
01202 732500 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted report card from the inspection that started on 10 March 2026 , published 9 June 2026.
In short: 5 needs attention, 1 urgent improvement, and safeguarding met.
Since November 2025 Ofsted grades each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. How report cards work.
Category of concern: Requires significant improvement. Ofsted will monitor the school closely until it improves.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| SafeguardingWhether pupils are kept safe. Met or not met. | Met |
| InclusionHow well the school supports disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Curriculum and teachingWhat pupils are taught and how well they are taught it. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| AchievementHow well pupils learn and the results they get. | Urgent improvement The lowest of five grades. Ofsted found serious weaknesses that need fixing quickly. |
| Attendance and behaviourWhether pupils come to school and how they behave. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Personal development and wellbeingPupils' wider development, character and wellbeing. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
| Leadership and governanceHow well leaders and governors run the school. | Needs attention Fourth of five grades. Below the expected standard; the school needs to improve this. |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
76 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole comparisons use the 3 of its 24 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 21 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Higher than 3% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 38% | 71% | 83% |
| My child feels safe at this school 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Higher than 7% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 53% | 79% | 85% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Higher than 2% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 26% | 63% | 78% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 37 parents whose child had been bullied Higher than 14% of 344 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 27% | – | 43% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 76 parents who had raised a concern 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Higher than 7% of 431 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 39% | 57% | 74% |
| My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 31 parents of children with SEND Higher than 6% of 356 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 26% | – | 63% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. Higher than 5% of 442 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 41%said yes | 77% | 83% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 9%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole figures pool parents at the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
156 pupils in this year group.
22% — 34 points below the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole average, and 23 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 22% | 57% | 45% |
| Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. | 33.6 | 50.5 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 2.8 | 4.5 | 4.1 |
Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.
Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After Year 11
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
145 pupils in this year group.
90% — 3 points below the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole average, and 2 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. | 90% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 7% | 45% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 67% | 39% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 9% | 4% | 3% |
| Work | 7% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 87% | 90% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were fewer first-choice applications than places.
| Places offered | 152 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 70 |
| Of those, offered a place | 70 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 183 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.7 · 2025: 0.7 · 2026: 0.5
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Admissions dates and schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 8 state secondary schools in Poole. Higher than 84% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 45.8% | 20.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 1st highest of 8 state secondary schools in Poole. Higher than 85% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 5.0% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 2nd highest of 8 state secondary schools in Poole. Higher than 82% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 18.8% | 14.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 2nd highest of 8 state secondary schools in Poole. Higher than 63% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.6% | 15.8%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 8th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Poole. Lower than 5% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 13.0% | 7.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 7th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Poole. Lower than 10% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 34.1% | 20.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 8th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Poole. Lower than 1% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 114.0 | 21.2 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 8th lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Poole. Lower than 2% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 22.7% | 6.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded10 pupils | 1.19% | 0.34% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 6th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Poole. Higher than 29% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 15.8 | 16.6 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 7th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Poole. Higher than 13% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 9.9 | 12.2 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 1st highest of 8 state secondary schools in Poole. Higher than 96% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 30.6% | 15.9%* | 14.2%* |
Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby secondary schools
- St Edward's Roman Catholic/CofE School, Poole 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2022 · 51% grade 5+ English and maths
- Oak Academy 1.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 14% grade 5+ English and maths
- Magna Academy 1.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 41% grade 5+ English and maths
- Talbot Heath School 1.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 34% A*/A at A level
- LeAF Studio 1.7 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Bourne Academy 1.7 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025 · 44% grade 5+ English and maths
- Winton Academy 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2018), confirmed 2024 · 73% grade 5+ English and maths
- Glenmoor Academy 1.9 miles · Ofsted: Outstanding (2019), confirmed 2024 · 79% grade 5+ English and maths
- Poole Grammar School 2.2 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 96% grade 5+ English and maths
- Parkstone Grammar School 2.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 90% grade 5+ English and maths
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Aldhelm's Academy's Ofsted rating?
St Aldhelm's Academy was inspected under Ofsted's report card format in 10 March 2026. Report cards grade each area on a five-point scale instead of giving one overall grade. Its grades were 5 needs attention, 1 urgent improvement, and safeguarding was met.
How did St Aldhelm's Academy do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 22% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 23 points below the England average of 45%.
Would parents recommend St Aldhelm's Academy?
41% of the 76 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 10 November 2025 and 6 April 2026 said they would recommend St Aldhelm's Academy to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is St Aldhelm's Academy oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 70 families put St Aldhelm's Academy as their first choice for 152 places: fewer first-choice applications than places. 70 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 136206.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 10 November 2025 to 6 April 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.