Twynham School

Academy · Secondary, ages 11 to 19 · Mixed · Sixth form

Part of TWYNHAM LEARNING

Sopers Lane, Christchurch, BH23 1JF

01202 486237 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 1 May 2024
Grade 5 or above in English and maths62%England 45% · 2024/25
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Christchurch.
Higher than 85% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,651Room for 1,650 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,749 in 2019, 1,755 in 2021, 1,820 in 2022, 1,802 in 2023, 1,771 in 2024, 1,703 in 2025, 1,651 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place0.9192 for 206 places, September 2026
3rd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Christchurch.
Higher than 45% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 1 May 2024.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Behaviour and attitudesGood
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

283 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole comparisons use the 15 of its 24 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 9 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.

StatementThis schoolBournemouth, Christchurch and PooleEngland
My child is happy at this school
15th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
Higher than 25% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
73% 87% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
Joint 12th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
Higher than 40% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
83% 91% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
14th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
Higher than 38% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
73% 85% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 119 parents whose child had been bullied
Joint 8th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
Higher than 48% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
49% 50% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 234 parents who had raised a concern
Joint 13th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
Higher than 48% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
70% 77% 76%
I would recommend this school to another parent
14th highest of 15 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
Higher than 35% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
73%said yes 85% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. 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. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

255 pupils in this year group.

62% — 6 points above the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole average, and 17 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolBournemouth, Christchurch and PooleEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 62% 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. 53.5 50.5 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 5.0 4.5 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
40% 50% 60% 70% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 56%This school 2023/24: 58%This school 2024/25: 62% This school England 45% 2022/23 56% 2023/24 58% 2024/25 62%

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.

260 pupils in this year group.

93% — about the same as the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole average, and about the same as the England average.

Where pupils went after Year 11
This school 41%43%
England 34%13%37%
MeasureThis schoolBournemouth, Christchurch and PooleEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 93% 93% 92%
School sixth form 41% 45% 34%
Sixth form college 0% – 13%
Further education college 43% 39% 37%
Apprenticeship 6% 4% 3%
Work 3% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
95%93%

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

204 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolBournemouth, Christchurch and PooleEngland
Average A level grade B- B- B-
A level exams graded A* or A 28% 27% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 55% 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. 36.0 35.5 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 33.3This school 2023/24: 34.0This school 2024/25: 36.0 This school England 35 2022/23 33.3 2023/24 34.0 2024/25 36.0

A level subjects, 2024/25

27 subjects, 601 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Business Studies:Single 72 3% 14% 16%
Mathematics 61 21% 51% 40%
Psychology 49 12% 29% 19%
Biology 42 10% 17% 27%
Sociology 33 6% 39% 20%
History 32 13% 53% 23%
Media/Film/Tv Studies 30 0% 10% 14%
Physical Education / Sports Studies 28 4% 7% 17%
Geography 27 4% 22% 23%
Chemistry 26 15% 38% 30%
Economics 26 4% 35% 26%
Physics 26 19% 35% 31%
Government and Politics 20 10% 20% 26%
Computer Studies / Computing 19 0% 11% 24%
English Literature 17 0% 18% 23%
Mathematics (Further) 16 50% 56% 59%
Dance 13 8% 31% 30%
Design and Technology (Product Design) 12 0% 8% 15%
Art and Design (Photography) 9 22% 33% 26%
English Language and Literature 7 0% 14% 16%
Religious Studies 7 0% 43% 22%
Spanish 7 0% 29% 34%
Art and Design (Fine Art) 6 33% 67% 38%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: Drama and Theatre Studies, French, Music Technology, Music.

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.

250 students in this year group.

84% — 5 points above the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole average, and 5 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolBournemouth, Christchurch and PooleEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 84% 79% 79%
Apprenticeship 5% 9% 7%
Work 29% 33% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
88%84%

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.

214 students in this year group.

67% — 10 points above the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole average, and 7 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolBournemouth, Christchurch and PooleEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 67% 57% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 27% 23% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
75%67%

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 one first-choice application for every place.

Places offered206
Families who put it first192
Of those, offered a place192 (100%)
Families who listed it at all634

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.1 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.9

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

PupilsThis schoolBournemouth, Christchurch and PooleEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Christchurch.
Higher than 25% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
18.4% 20.5%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Christchurch.
Higher than 63% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
3.5% 3.2%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Christchurch.
Higher than 67% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
16.1% 14.9%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Christchurch.
Higher than 29% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
6.3% 15.8%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Christchurch.
Lower than 56% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
8.0% 7.8%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Christchurch.
Lower than 58% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
22.0% 20.9%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Christchurch.
Lower than 40% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
19.1 21.2 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
2nd lowest of 3 state secondary schools in Christchurch.
Lower than 48% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
7.0% 6.4% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded9 pupils 0.53% 0.34% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Christchurch.
Higher than 54% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
17.0 16.6 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools in Christchurch.
Higher than 66% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
12.5 12.2 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
2nd highest of 3 state secondary schools in Christchurch.
Higher than 77% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
19.1% 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

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is Twynham School's Ofsted rating?

Twynham School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 1 May 2024.

How did Twynham School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 62% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 17 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend Twynham School?

73% of the 283 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Twynham School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is Twynham School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 192 families put Twynham School as their first choice for 206 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 192 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

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Page updated 26 September 2026.