Parkstone Grammar School

Founded in 1905 as a co-educational school at Ashley Cross in Parkstone by William Ernest Brennand. It was an independent school until Dorset Council took it over in 1935. Two years later, the schools in Poole were reorganised, and the boys from Parkstone Grammar were transferred to Poole Grammar School, and the girls who were at Poole Grammar transferred to Parkstone Grammar. The two grammar schools both have very close links as they are only approximately 1,000 metres apart. The first headmistress, Miss W. M. Allen, was in post from 1937, just before the reorganisation, until 1959, by which time the current site at Sopers Lane had been chosen. She laid the foundation stone for the new school. Miss N. L. McGuinness was headmistress from 1960, when the school opened at Sopers Lane, until 1976. Mrs Charmian Birchett was head from 1976 to ? when Dr. Paula Haes took over, and then Mrs. Val Morrison until 2001. Miss Anne Shinwell was headmistress from 2001 to Easter 2013 when she retired and her position went to Mrs Tracy Harris. The school is a science and now a language specialist school.[1] On 1 January 2011 the school officially gained academy status. After extensive discussions on the matter lasting a few years the school implemented a house system on 18 November 2015. In order to involve the students fully in the process the girls were allowed to choose the house names, logos and mottos.