Bayside Academy, POOLE

Ofsted's report card from its 24 March 2026 inspection grades Bayside Academy on 7 areas: 5 expected standard and 2 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Attendance and behaviour - Expected standard. "Leaders have a detailed and accurate understanding of attendance trends and patterns."

Early years - Expected standard. "Leaders prioritise children in the early years getting off to a positive start."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "The school has clear systems to identify and assess pupils' individual needs early, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and those who are disadvantaged."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "New leaders, including the trust, have an accurate view of the school's strengths and areas that need to improve."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have a well-considered programme to support pupils' personal development and wellbeing."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Historically, too many non-disadvantaged pupils left key stage 2 without being ready for their next stage of education."

Curriculum and teaching - Needs attention. "The quality of teaching and how well pupils learn varies across subjects."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders should develop staff expertise in the use of assessment to identify and address misconceptions swiftly, enabling teachers to adjust learning so that pupils build their knowledge securely across subjects and achieve well"; "Leaders should ensure that staff build their expertise and subject knowledge of the curriculum and check that teaching consistently enables all pupils to achieve well from their starting points"; "Leaders should ensure that pupils are given the support and practice they need to develop their accuracy and fluency in writing, particularly in handwriting, spelling and punctuation, so that pupils write well across the curriculum".

In 2025, 67% of Year 6 pupils at Bayside Academy reached the expected standard in reading and 87% in maths. At the average state primary the figures were 77% and 75% in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole; and 77% and 75% across England.

Results rose from 58% in reading and 62% in maths in 2024.

With small year groups, a few pupils can move these figures by several points.

For September 2026 entry, 26 families put Bayside Academy as their first choice and 40 named it as one of their preferences, for 26 places offered. That is one first choice for every place. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state primary schools to Bayside Academy are Upton Junior School (0.9 miles, Good, 66% reading, 58% maths); Upton Infant School (0.9 miles, Good); Twin Sails Infant and Nursery School (1.3 miles, Good); and Hamworthy Park Junior School (1.4 miles, Good, 72% reading, 65% maths).

Bayside Academy's 2025 results were higher than all 2 of them.

Bayside Academy is one of 13 schools run by Authentic Education Group Limited, an academy trust.

Across the trust's primary schools, 66% of Year 6 pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths in 2024/25.

13 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about Bayside Academy (as of April 2026): 77% would recommend the school and 77% say their child is happy there.

The strongest agreement was that they are kept well informed about progress (85%); the weakest, that pupils behave well (54%).

51.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), according to the 2026 school census.

In 2026, 41 pupils (22.8%) received SEN support and 12 (6.7%) had an education, health and care plan, against 16.2% and 4.6% at the average state school. The most common need among them is social, emotional and mental health needs.

The nearest railway station is Hamworthy Rail Station, about 600 metres away (roughly a 8-minute walk).

7 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Shops (w-bound), 90 metres away.

In August 2026, police recorded 96 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and other theft. That is well below the typical figure around schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (223).

In 2024/25, Bayside Academy issued 9 suspensions, 4.6 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and no permanent exclusions.

The secondary schools closest to Bayside Academy are The Cornerstone Academy (1.3 miles) and Lytchett Minster School (1.7 miles).