Elm Academy
Holloway Avenue, Bournemouth, BH11 9JNOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
Elm Academy is a primary school in Bournemouth for ages 3 to 11. It is one of the 111 schools in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole. It ranks 5th of 26 primary schools in Bournemouth. Its latest Ofsted inspection, in January 2025, graded each key judgement and gave no overall Ofsted rating.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 7 January 2025, report published 29 January 2025
This inspection graded each key judgement and gave no overall effectiveness grade.
- Quality of education
- Good
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Good
- Personal development
- Outstanding
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 7 January 2025
Pupils at Elm belong to a caring and welcoming community. The school's 'EPIC' values of enjoyment, potential, inclusivity and community encourage pupils to work together and aim high. Pupils are motivated and curious to learn. They respect and value difference. This makes for a happy school where everybody, regardless of need or ability, can shine. The school sets high expectations for pupils' learning, including for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). It is determined that pupils achieve academic success, as reflected in the positive outcomes achieved by Year 6 pupils in the 2024 national tests. Pupils behave well and live up to the expectations adults set for them. They are keen to earn house points and raffle tickets for their efforts. Pupils feel confident talking to an anti-bullying ambassador or using the 'I wish somebody knew' box if they have any concerns. The school meticulously plans many rich and purposeful experiences to broaden pupils' horizons. These experiences include multiple residentials, talent shows and fundraising events. Pupils proudly take on responsibilities, such as sports ambassadors, head boy and girl and school councillors. They make a tangible difference to the school, such as reducing plastic use in school lunches.
What the school should improve
- The school does not prioritise the teaching of early transcription, including letter formation, with sufficient rigour. This hinders the quality of pupils' early writing skills. The trust should ensure that the school revisits its approach to handwriting and gives greater focus to letter formation and pencil grip so that pupils gain the necessary knowledge to become proficient writers.
- Occasionally, the school does not use its awareness of pupils' knowledge gaps and misconceptions to inform future learning. When this happens, some errors go unnoticed and persist in pupils' work. The trust should ensure that the school uses appropriate checks to help pupils build and recall their knowledge securely in all subjects.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
60 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
364 pupils on roll, with places for 480
Schools near Elm Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christ The King Catholic Primary School | 0.3 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | 15% met the expected standard |
| Heathlands Primary Academy | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 38% met the expected standard |
| Kinson Academy | 0.7 miles | Ofsted: Good | 65% met the expected standard |
| Kingsleigh Primary School | 0.8 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | 58% met the expected standard |
| Bearwood Primary and Nursery School | 1 mile | Ofsted: Good | 46% met the expected standard |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- AUTHENTIC EDUCATION GROUP LIMITED
- Age range
- 3 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Jo Wakeman
- Phone
- 01202574212
- Address
- Holloway Avenue, Bournemouth, BH11 9JN
- Local authority
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
- URN
- 138990
School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.