UKSchoolSearch
OpenSecondaryOfsted: Urgent improvementURN 136206

St Aldhelm's Academy

Academy sponsor led · Poole · BH12 4HS

Ages 11–16 · 808 pupils · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

School website

Ofsted

Urgent improvement

Attainment 8

35.1

Overall absence

13.6%

Admissions demand

0.82 · Often has places

Ofsted

Latest published inspection outcomes — not a ranking.

Read full report

Headline

Urgent improvement

Inspection date

2026-03-10

Category of concern

Requires significant improvement

  • AchievementUrgent improvement
  • Curriculum and teachingNeeds attention
  • InclusionNeeds attention
  • Attendance and behaviourNeeds attention
  • Personal development and wellbeingNeeds attention
  • Leadership and governanceNeeds attention

Safeguarding standards: Met

Source: Ofsted monthly management information

Performance

Official school-level results. Figures are not rankings — suppressed values are omitted.

Key stage 4 (2023/24)

Progress 8-0.58
−20+2
Attainment 835.1
English & maths grade 5+23%
English & maths grade 4+46%
EBacc entry10%

EBacc APS: 2.9

Source: DfE school and college performance tables

Absence

Academic year 2023/24. Persistent absence means 10%+ of sessions missed. Lower figures are better.

Overall absence13.6%
Persistent absence (10%+)38.4%
Unauthorised5.6%
Authorised absence
8.0%
Severe absence (50%+)
8.0%
Enrolments in measure
914

Absence trend

2021/22

2022/23

2023/24

  • Overall
  • Persistent (10%+)

Source: DfE pupil absence in schools in England

Admissions demand

Coordinated admissions for secondary entry (2024/25 cycle, national offer day). Demand ratio compares families who listed this school 1st with total offers made — not a catchment or distance guarantee.

Demand ratio

0.82 · Often has places

1st preferences

121

Places offered

173

1st-preference offers

121

Total preferences (any rank)
266
Preferred offers (top 3)
152
Applications from outside LA
0
Offers to outside-LA applicants
0
Admissions policy (GIAS)
Non-selective

Source: DfE primary and secondary school applications and offers. Figures reflect offers on national offer day; late applications, appeals and waiting lists are not included.

Size & intake

From the GIAS school census (15 Jan 2026).

Capacity fill90%

808 pupils · 900 places

Pupils on roll
808
Boys / girls
435 / 373
School capacity
900
Capacity fill
808 / 900 (90%)
Free school meals
45.4%
FSM pupils
367
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Gender
Mixed
School type
Academy sponsor led

Age range

Ages 11–16

05111619

Provision

Official GIAS characteristics

1 / 6

  • Nursery
  • Sixth form
  • Boarding
  • Special school
  • Independent
  • Academy

School characteristics

Diocese
Diocese of Salisbury
Special classes
No Special Classes
Governance
Academy trust: AUTHENTIC EDUCATION GROUP LIMITED
Academy trust
AUTHENTIC EDUCATION GROUP LIMITED
Sponsor
Ambitions Academies Trust
Headteacher
Mrs Nadine Lapskas

Location

Address
Herbert Avenue
Postcode
BH12 4HS
Town
Poole
County
Dorset
Local authority
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
District
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Constituency
Bournemouth West
Urban/rural
Urban: Nearer to a major town or city

Local context

How this school sits among open establishments in its area, using official GIAS records. These are counts, not rankings.

Mixed academy sponsor led (secondary), Ages 11–16, in Poole, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, 808 pupils on roll. Notable characteristics: academy, non-selective admissions. Free school meals: 45.4%. Diocese: Diocese of Salisbury.

Open schools in Poole
48
Secondary schools in Poole
8
Academies among open schools in Poole
75% (36)
Open schools in BH12
14
Secondary in BH12
1
Open schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole LA
117
Secondary in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole LA
21

Nearby secondary schools

Open schools within about 3 miles, prioritising the same phase where possible. Distances are approximate from GIAS coordinates.

Compare with theseAll in PooleNear BH12

  • Oak Academy

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Bournemouth · BH11 9JJ · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

    Ages 11–16

    • Att835.6
    • P8-0.6
    • EM5+30%
    • Absence11.3%

    1.5 miles away

  • Magna Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Poole · BH17 8RE · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

    Ages 11–18

    • Att844.9
    • P8-0.1
    • EM5+38%
    • Absence9.3%

    1.5 miles away

  • LeAF Studio

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Studio schools · Secondary

    Bournemouth · BH11 9JW · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

    Ages 13–19

    • Att842.5
    • P8-0.2
    • EM5+32%
    • Absence9.1%

    1.7 miles away

  • The Bourne Academy

    Ofsted: Good

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Bournemouth · BH10 5HS · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

    Ages 11–18

    • Att841.3
    • P8-0.2
    • EM5+37%
    • Absence8.8%

    1.7 miles away

  • Winton Academy

    Ofsted: School remains Outstanding

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Bournemouth · BH10 4HT · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

    Ages 11–16

    • Att855.8
    • P80.8
    • EM5+74%
    • Absence5.2%

    1.9 miles away

  • Glenmoor Academy

    Ofsted: Standards maintained

    Academy sponsor led · Secondary

    Bournemouth · BH10 4EX · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

    Ages 11–16

    • Att860.4
    • P81.1
    • EM5+82%
    • Absence6.8%

    1.9 miles away

  • Poole Grammar School

    Ofsted: Not judged

    Academy converter · Secondary

    Poole · BH17 9JU · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

    Ages 11–18

    • Att871.3
    • P80.6
    • EM5+96%
    • Absence5.1%

    2.2 miles away

New to reading school data? See Ofsted ratings explained and how to compare schools.

Contact

Headteacher
Mrs Nadine Lapskas
Telephone
01202732500
Website
www.staldhelms-academy.co.uk

Official links