Many children will be starting secondary school in the BCP area next September, and lots of parents will soon have choices to make about where to send them.

Applications for Year 7 places in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole close on Thursday, October 31 so the deadline is approaching soon.

If you've not yet made your decision and are worried you are running out of time, you're in luck as we've rounded up the best-rated schools in the area.

Using Ofsted ratings, we've found the secondary schools rated the best under outstanding and good status.

The results are listed for the BCP area with each of the ratings correct as of October 7. 2024. 

You can see all the Ofsted ratings for local schools via the Ofsted website. 

Best-rated secondary schools in the BCP area according to Ofsted

Bournemouth School

  • Address: East Way, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH8 9PY
  • Rating: Outstanding
  • Latest report: May 3, 2024

Winton Academy

  • Address: Winton Way, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH10 4HT
  • Rating: Outstanding
  • Latest report: June 18, 2024

Glenmoor Academy

  • Address: Beswick Avenue, Ensbury Park, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH10 4EX
  • Rating: Outstanding
  • Latest report: July 11, 2019

Bournemouth School for Girls

  • Address: Castle Gate Close, Castle Lane West, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH8 9UJ
  • Rating: Outstanding
  • Latest report: June 18, 2024

Avonbourne Boys' Academy

  • Address: Harewood Avenue, Bournemouth, BH7 6NZ
  • Rating: Outstanding
  • Latest report: January 24, 2024

Parkstone Grammar School

  • Address: Sopers Lane, Poole, Dorset, BH17 7EP
  • Rating: Outstanding
  • Latest report: May 16, 2024

Kings Bournemouth

  • Address: 58 Braidley Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 6LD
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: March 7, 2023

Livingstone Academy Bournemouth

  • Address: Madeira Road, Bournemouth, BH1 1PA
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: May 21, 2024

The Bishop of Winchester Academy

  • Address: Mallard Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH8 9PW
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: May 5, 2023
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Avonbourne Girls Academy

  • Address: Harewood Avenue, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH7 6NY
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: July 24, 2023

The Cornerstone Academy

  • Address: Blandford Close, Hamworthy, Poole, Dorset, BH15 4BQ
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: December 8, 2022

St Edward's Roman Catholic/Church of England School, Poole

  • Address: Dale Valley Road, Oakdale, Poole, Dorset, BH15 3HY
  • Rating: Good 
  • Latest report: January 17, 2023

The Bourne Academy

  • Address: Hadow Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH10 5HS
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: December 15, 2019

Poole High School

  • Address: Wimborne Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 2BW
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: September 27-28, 2022

Poole Grammar School

  • Address: Gravel Hill, Poole, Dorset, BH17 9JU
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: May 15, 2024

St Aldhelm's Academy

  • Address: Herbert Avenue, Poole, Dorset, BH12 4HS
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: December 7, 2021

Twynham School

  • Address: Sopers Lane, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1JF
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: June 10, 2024

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St Peter's Catholic Comprehensive School

  • Address: St Catherine's Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH6 4AH
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: November 13, 2023

The Grange School

  • Address: Redvers Road, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 3AU
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: January 20, 2022

Full reports on all the schools listed can be found on the Ofsted website.