SchoolScoresSt Edward's Roman Catholic/CofE School, Poole
Voluntary aided school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Mixed · Church of England/Roman Catholic · Sixth form
Dale Valley Road, Oakdale, Poole, BH15 3HY
01202 740950 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 30 April 2013.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Good |
| Outcomes for pupils | Good |
| Leadership and management | Good |
Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 23 November 2022: Ofsted found the school was still Good.
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
Results
GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25
175 pupils in this year group.
51% — 6 points below the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole average, and 6 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 or above in English and maths | 51% | 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. | 46.4 | 50.5 | 46.1 |
| EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. | 4.3 | 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.
178 pupils in this year group.
97% — 4 points above the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole average, and 5 points above 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. | 97% | 93% | 92% |
| School sixth form | 44% | 45% | 34% |
| Sixth form college | 0% | – | 13% |
| Further education college | 48% | 39% | 37% |
| Apprenticeship | 3% | 4% | 3% |
| Work | 1% | 3% | 3% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 94% | 97% |
Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25
76 A level students in this year group.
| Measure | This school | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average A level grade | C | B- | B- |
| A level exams graded A* or A | 9% | 27% | 26% |
| A level exams graded A* to B | 29% | 53% | 53% |
| Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. | 28.7 | 35.5 | 35 |
A level subjects, 2024/25
20 subjects, 196 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.
| Subject | Exams | A* | A* or A | England A* or A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Studies:Single | 24 | 0% | 0% | 16% |
| Mathematics | 23 | 9% | 35% | 40% |
| Sociology | 15 | 0% | 0% | 20% |
| Biology | 14 | 0% | 14% | 27% |
| History | 14 | 0% | 7% | 23% |
| Religious Studies | 14 | 0% | 0% | 22% |
| Psychology | 12 | 0% | 0% | 19% |
| English Language | 10 | 0% | 0% | 13% |
| Physics | 10 | 0% | 20% | 31% |
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 9 | 0% | 11% | 17% |
| Chemistry | 7 | 0% | 0% | 30% |
| Geography | 7 | 0% | 14% | 23% |
| Government and Politics | 7 | 0% | 0% | 26% |
Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Computer Studies / Computing, Design and Technology (Product Design), English Literature, Mathematics (Further), Art and Design, French, German.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.
Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
After sixth form
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
112 students in this year group.
92% — 13 points above the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole average, and 13 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. | 92% | 79% | 79% |
| Apprenticeship | 11% | 9% | 7% |
| Work | 34% | 33% | 28% |
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 80% | 92% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Going on to university
Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.
84 students in this year group.
69% — 12 points above the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole average, and 9 points above the England average.
| Measure | This school | Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Went on to a degree or other higher education | 69% | 57% | 60% |
| Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. | 23% | 23% | 19% |
Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time
| 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| 68% | 69% |
Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 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 about 1 first-choice applications for every place.
| Places offered | 170 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 190 |
| Of those, offered a place | 159 (84%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 691 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.3 · 2025: 1.5 · 2026: 1.1
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.
This is a Church of England/Roman Catholic school. When it has more applicants than places it can give priority to families of the faith, for example those who can show regular worship. Check the school's admissions policy to see how places are allocated.
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 6th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Poole. Higher than 14% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 13.8% | 20.5%* | 28.9% |
| With an education, health and care plan 4th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Poole. Higher than 70% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 3.9% | 3.2%* | 3.1% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 3rd highest of 8 state secondary schools in Poole. Higher than 75% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 17.4% | 14.9%* | 13.4% |
| English as an additional language 4th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Poole. Higher than 57% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England. | 14.8% | 15.8%* | 19.2% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) 3rd lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Poole. Lower than 68% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 7.4% | 7.8%* | 8.4% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 3rd lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Poole. Lower than 66% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England. | 20.1% | 20.9%* | 23.4% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 3rd lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Poole. Lower than 62% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 10.4 | 21.2 | 21.2 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 3rd lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Poole. Lower than 67% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 4.7% | 6.4% | 7.3% |
| Pupils permanently excluded3 pupils | 0.28% | 0.34% | 0.23% |
| Pupils per teacher 5th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Poole. Higher than 36% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England. | 16.2 | 16.6 | 16.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 4th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Poole. Higher than 45% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England. | 11.6 | 12.2 | 11.8 |
| Teachers who left during the year 5th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Poole. Higher than 42% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England. | 12.0% | 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
- Magna Academy 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2023) · 41% grade 5+ English and maths
- St Aldhelm's Academy 1.2 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 needs attention, 1 urgent improvement · 22% grade 5+ English and maths
- Parkstone Grammar School 1.3 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 90% grade 5+ English and maths
- Poole High School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016, before conversion), confirmed 2022 · 56% grade 5+ English and maths
- Poole Grammar School 1.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2025) · 96% grade 5+ English and maths
- Broadstone Middle School 2.1 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025
- Oak Academy 2.4 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 14% grade 5+ English and maths
- The Cornerstone Academy 2.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2017), confirmed 2022 · 37% grade 5+ English and maths
- LeAF Studio 2.5 miles · Ofsted: No overall grade (2024) · 31% grade 5+ English and maths
- Talbot Heath School 2.6 miles · Independent, inspected by ISI · 34% A*/A at A level
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is St Edward's Roman Catholic/CofE School, Poole's Ofsted rating?
St Edward's Roman Catholic/CofE School, Poole was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 30 April 2013. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 23 November 2022, Ofsted found the school was still Good.
How did St Edward's Roman Catholic/CofE School, Poole do in its GCSEs?
In 2024/25, 51% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 6 points above the England average of 45%.
Is St Edward's Roman Catholic/CofE School, Poole oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 190 families put St Edward's Roman Catholic/CofE School, Poole as their first choice for 170 places: about 1 first-choice applications for every place. 159 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 113893.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, GCSEs 2024/25, After Year 11 2024/25, A levels 2024/25, After sixth form 2024/25, Going on to university 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.