The Quay School is an alternative provision academy in Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, for children and young people aged 5 to 18.
- Ages 5–18
- 69 pupils
School details
- Type
- Alternative provision academy
- Ages
- 5 to 18
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 69 (places for 133)
- Headteacher
- Mr Russell Arnold (Headteacher)
- Part of
- Southern Education Trust
- Opened
- 1 April 2013
- Free school meals
- 71.6% of pupils eligible
- School reference (URN)
- 139498
How to get a place
3 steps
- Talk to your child’s school or the council
Places in alternative provision are usually arranged by your child’s current school or Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council, rather than applied for directly.
- If your child has an EHC plan
The placement should be agreed through the plan, with you involved in the decision.
- Get free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can explain your options and come to meetings with you.
Questions to ask when you visit
8 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them on the day.
Ofsted
Graded by area, April 2025
Inspected in April 2025. Inspections from September 2024 to November 2025 graded each area but gave no overall grade.
- Quality of educationOutstanding
- Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
- Personal developmentOutstanding
- Leadership and managementOutstanding
- SafeguardingEffective
Contact and getting there
160 Herbert Avenue, Poole, BH12 4HU
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
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The school’s details, how to get a place and the questions to ask, in your inbox.
Other SEND schools nearby
- Manorside Academy Mainstream + base · Ages 3–11 0.5 miles
- Winchelsea School Special school · Ages 4–19 · Ofsted report card (2026) 0.7 miles
- The Lion Works School Independent · Ages 11–18 0.9 miles
All SEND schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
By need in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole: Autism (13) · SEMH (7) · Speech and language (6) · Severe learning (5) · Moderate learning (3) · PMLD (2) · Dyslexia and SpLD (2) · Physical (2)
Questions about The Quay School
How do I get a place at The Quay School?
Places at The Quay School are usually arranged by your child’s current school or Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council rather than applied for directly. If your child has an EHC plan, the placement should be agreed through it.
What ages does The Quay School take?
Aged 5 to 18, boys and girls.
What is The Quay School’s Ofsted rating?
Rated Outstanding by Ofsted in April 2025 at its last graded inspection. Newer inspections no longer give a single overall grade, so read the latest report for the full picture.
Where is The Quay School?
160 Herbert Avenue, Poole, BH12 4HU, in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, 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.