The best independent & private schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

There are 7 independent (private) schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole listed on FindGreatSchools, covering prep, senior and all-through schools. Each listing links to a full profile with pupil numbers, demographics and inspection information where published.

Nothing — "independent school" and "private school" mean the same thing in the UK: a fee-paying school that operates outside local-authority control. Adding to the confusion, some of the oldest independent schools are traditionally known as "public schools".

Independent schools belonging to the Independent Schools Council are inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) rather than Ofsted, while non-association independent schools are inspected by Ofsted. Where a school has a published Ofsted rating, we show it on its profile.