Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Dorset open days 2023/2024
School Open Days in Dorset 2023 (for 2024 entry)
We know that this is a unique time in the school life of Year 6 pupils who are looking forward to their move to secondary but also may be nervous at the prospect of such a big change. With this in mind, the application process will be opening and schools across the region will shortly be hosting open events in order for you to have face-to-face visits with them and find out all the information you need to make the very important decision about which school your child and you wish for them to attend.
There are other resources available that can help you and your family come to the right decision. Go to www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk to find the Progress 8 scores - this score shows how much progress pupils at a school make between the end of key stage 2 and the end of key stage 4. On the website you’ll also find league tables, statistics and the Ofsted rating for individual schools.
To find an Ofsted inspection report about an individual state maintained school visit https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk. For independent schools, inspection reports can be found on the Independent Schools Inspectorate website by visiting www.isi.net.
Catchment Areas:
Although most pupils end up applying to the school in their catchment area, there are some schools that do not operate designated areas and have a slightly different admissions policy. So, it is worth checking the admissions policy on each school’s website for further information. If you are considering applying to a local independent school, it will have its own separate admissions procedure.
**An application should be submitted to your own Local Authority (ie where you live) even if your school is in another local authority area**
Catchment Areas in Dorset
Designated areas, or catchment areas have been pre-determined by Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP Council):
Dorset Council locations:
Use the weblink to access the catchment area tool for primary/middle/junior/secondary catchment in Dorset Council areas - find out more at https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/education-and-training/schools-and-learning/apply-for-a-school-place/apply-for-a-school-place)
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council locations:
Use the weblink to access the catchment area information for BCP Council areas: https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/Schools-and-learning/School-admissions/School-catchment-areas.aspx
Applying to a School out of Catchment Area:
You will be asked to list a limited number of state schools in order of preference on your application form. Whether a place is offered will depend on the schools admission process and if places are available. For most schools there is an admissions priority for children who live in the school’s catchment area.
The Application Process
You can submit your application for a primary or secondary place online. An email receipt will confirm that the application has been received.
Dorset Council Applications
The Parents’ Guide is available on the Dorset Council website via the Admissions section (www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/schooladmissions) and parents/carers are encouraged to read this before making their applications.
Primary/Middle applications: The online system will be available from 1st September until 15th January 2024
Secondary/Upper applications: The online system will be available from 1st September until 31st October 2023
Dorset Contacts:
• Education helpline: 01305 221060
• Online applications: www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/schooladmissions
• Email: admissions@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk
BCP Council (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole schools)
Primary applications: The online system will be available from ******** until 15th January 2024
Secondary applications: The online system will be available from ***** until 31st October 2023
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Contacts:
- BCP Council Admissions: www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/Schools-and-learning/School-admissions/School-admissions.aspx
- Children’s Information Service email: cis@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
- Children’s Information Service telephone: 01202 123 222
As Year 6 pupils begin their final
Allocation Days
The dates when school places are officially confirmed are:
1st March 2024 – Secondary Schools
16th April 2023 – Primary Schools
The Bourne Academy
The Bourne Academy has continued to flourish throughout 2023; the commitment of their entire community has enabled the Academy to build on their prestigious national ‘BTEC School of the Year’ award.
Specialisms in Engineering & Design and English help the Academy to engender creativity across all aspects of learning. The high quality of teaching and learning is at the centre of their success and their ‘ASPIRE’ vision. Highly committed staff at The Bourne Academy’s work to support all children ensuring they become well rounded young adults, whilst focusing on self-confidence and the ability to communicate and empathise with others. Students build a positive attitude towards learning that will continue throughout their adult lives.
Last year they launched the unique Bourne Scholars Programme which exclusively selects and nurtures particularly gifted and talented students in each year group enabling them to experience a high-level programme of academic and extra-curricular participation and extension. Partnering with Canford School, Southampton University and Winchester College, this enriched programme increases cultural capital and puts Academy Scholars on the path to the world’s best universities.
They are delighted to invite you to their Open Evening on 20 September 2023 where they will showcase the Academy and all outstanding aspects of Academy life.
The Bishop of Winchester Academy
Students at the ‘Bishop’ thrive in a culture that is driven by ‘High Expectations – No Excuses’. Their ‘ambitious curriculum’, ‘impressive range of extra-curricular activities’ and ‘wider opportunities’ support all to ‘Live Life to the Full’. This was recognised by Ofsted (2023).
Their high quality careers progamme starts in Year 7. ‘Leaders are aspirational for pupils’, ‘many achieve places at highly selective universities’ (Ofsted 2023) or competitive apprenticeships.
Their extensive new buildings provide a 21st century learning experience, rich in IT.
Their unique Christian ethos gives them a family feel where all are valued and encouraged to develop a sense of self-worth, pride in achievement and self confidence to make their own decisions.
The best way to understand them is to see them at work. Join them for their Open Evening on Thursday 28th September, 5.00-7.30pm.
Parent Tours, led by members of the Leadership Team, will also be available during school hours for those who wish to see the learning experience during the school day. Booking details can be found on their website.
AVONBOURNE BOYS AND GIRLS’ ACADEMIES
“It gives us great pleasure to welcome you to Avonbourne Boys’ and Girls’ Academies. We are proud to be two non-selective 11-18 schools based in Bournemouth and are extremely fortunate to be part of the Bournemouth and Poole United Learning Cluster.
Our recent Ofsted report concluded that Avonbourne Girls’ Academy ‘continues to be a good school’ and found ‘evidence of improved performance to suggest that it could be judged outstanding’ at the next inspection.
We are incredibly proud of our students’ achievements. Our GCSE results for 2021-22 place Avonbourne Girls’ 19th nationally for progress with a Progress 8 score of +1.17 and Avonbourne Boys’ in the top 20% nationally for progress with a Progress 8 score of +0.45.
As an organisation, we expect everyone to embrace our core values of respect, equality, ambition, community, hard work and determination. Students can access a huge number of extra-curricular opportunities, and we are hugely proud of our sports teams. We also provide opportunities in expressive arts, coupled with high quality off-site educational trips.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Academies to book onto one of our regular Open Mornings which we hold throughout the year. “
Glenmoor and Winton Academies
“I am proud to introduce myself as the Principal of Glenmoor & Winton Academies. We are two Academies well-supported by a high performing Multi Academy sponsor called United Learning and are located on the same site offering single sex teaching in all key stage 3 lessons. This provides the best of both to students and parents with lessons kept single sex and all the clear advantages that provides, with break, lunchtime and extra-curricular activities mixed. Mixed lessons are introduced in some key stage 4 options.
Since the opening of the Academies in 2013, they have gone from strength to strength and remain heavily oversubscribed. The continued improvements in teaching, learning and behaviour has led to strong academic outcomes at Glenmoor and Winton Academies since 2017 and I can confirm we are the only schools in England to have our own Behaviour & Teaching Schools Hub ensuring our best practice methods and training can be shared nationally.
One of the areas singled out for praise by Ofsted was the exceptional behaviour of students, who were said to show “great pride in themselves, their work and their Academies” culminating in an Outstanding result for both Glenmoor & Winton Academies.
Glenmoor and Winton strive to provide students with exceptional academic outcomes, alongside an education that provides the experiences and skills to be good citizens. Education with character is an important part of who we are, from trips and visits, to varied extra-curricular opportunities in sports; rugby, football, netball, and cricket, to STEM subjects such as Science club, Lego robotics, Maths challenge, through to Archery, Costume Design, Dance, Choir, and many, many more. Student leadership, societies, wellbeing programme and our House system, provide students with a variety of enrichment and opportunities to develop themselves for life beyond school.
We hold regular Open Mornings, details and booking information is contained on our website.”
Glenmoor and Winton are two Academies that continue to excel within United Learning. I am incredibly proud of leaders' efforts and know GW plays an important role in the community it serves. #GWProud. Ben Antell – National Director for Education, United Learning
Leon Lima, Principal
Little Caterpillars at Wimborne First School
At Little Caterpillars, their aim is to provide a nurturing, caring and stimulating environment that meets the needs of each individual child. They strive to give every child the very best start in building a true love for learning through play and exploration, both indoors and outdoors. The children are at the heart of everything they do and they take every step to ensure that they flourish in a safe, happy and secure environment.
Funded spaces for 2. 3 and 4 year olds available , term time only (7.45am- 5.30pm) and caring, passionate and highly qualified staff
Find out more at www.wimbornefirst.dorset.sch.uk or 01202 882532
Talbot Heath School
What makes a ‘through school’ different ? Vibrancy, richness, approach, ethos and opportunities.
At Talbot Heath School Bournemouth, the fact that pupils from age three to eighteen, share the beautiful woodland campus and extensive facilities enhances the experience of all. The Sixth Form pupils share their knowledge and expertise, as well as their pastoral skills, with the youngest pupils.
As a national pilot school for the Royal Institute’s Maths Masterclass programme, their A level mathematicians deliver extension workshops to Junior pupils, developing their own presentation and explanation skills, whilst furthering the mathematical knowledge of the younger students.
Similarly, Talbot Heath Junior pupils participate in joint literacy and numeracy initiatives with their Pre-prep pupils, helping them to develop their love of reading and their command of phonics. Whole school events, such as the traditional birthday celebrations, bring the school together as a community, reinforcing a whole school ethos and making TH pupils proud to be part of a wider community with a long and rich heritage to share.
Pupils are on a journey throughout their time with TH, building their competencies in design, digital proficiency, critical thinking, problem solving, sport, music and the arts - united in their desire to ‘think big’ and foster imagination and creativity. The breadth and depth of perspective means that the Talbot Heath is dynamic and ever-evolving, with a pupil body rich in ideas and plentiful in enthusiasm.