Bournemouth School for Girls is a mainstream secondary school in Bournemouth, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, for girls aged 11 to 18. In January 2026, 107 of its 1,290 pupils (8.3%) were getting SEN support and 7 (0.5%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 11–18
- 1,290 pupils
- Girls only
- Ofsted: Outstanding
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state secondary schools across England and in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
8.3% get SEN support
107 of 1,290 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Lower than the England average.
0.5% have an EHC plan
7 of 1,290 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
Lower than the England average.
Most common needs
- Autism31
- Social, emotional and mental health30
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia20
- Hearing impairment7
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream secondary school
- Run as
- Academy
- Ages
- 11 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Girls only
- Pupils
- 1,290 (places for 1,210)
- Admissions
- Selective (a grammar school)
- Headteacher
- Mr David Sims
- Part of
- Bournemouth School for Girls
- Free school meals
- 6.8% of pupils eligible
- School reference (URN)
- 136996
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Rated Outstanding, May 2024
Rated Outstanding at its last graded inspection, in May 2024.
- Quality of educationOutstanding
- Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
- Personal developmentOutstanding
- Leadership and managementOutstanding
- Sixth formOutstanding
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
Castle Gate Close, Castle Lane West, Bournemouth, BH8 9UJ
Loading the map…
Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- The Bishop of Winchester Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 0.3 miles
- Queen's Park Infant Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 4–7 · Ofsted: Good 0.3 miles
- Cambian Wing College Independent · Ages 16–25 1.0 mile
- Linwood School Special school · Ages 2–19 1.1 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Bournemouth School Secondary · Ages 11–18 · SEN support 4.4%, EHC plans 0.8% 0.3 miles
- Queen's Park Academy Primary · Ages 7–11 · SEN support 9.4%, EHC plans 2.3% 0.3 miles
- St. Walburga's Catholic Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 10%, EHC plans 2.4% 0.5 miles
All mainstream schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole SEND schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Questions about Bournemouth School for Girls
How many pupils at Bournemouth School for Girls have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 107 of the 1,290 pupils (8.3%) were getting SEN support and 7 (0.5%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state secondary schools it is 14.1% and 3.5%.
What are the most common needs at Bournemouth School for Girls?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are autism (31 pupils), social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs (30 pupils) and dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (20 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Bournemouth School for Girls?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at Bournemouth School for Girls?
Through Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to Bournemouth School for Girls?
You can ask for Bournemouth School for Girls to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does Bournemouth School for Girls have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is The Bishop of Winchester Academy, about 0.3 miles away.
Where is Bournemouth School for Girls?
Castle Gate Close, Castle Lane West, Bournemouth, BH8 9UJ, in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.