Parkstone School
Parkstone School was founded at Ashley Cross on the 24th of January 1905 to accomodate 14 children (boys and girls) aged above 9 years old. The school was owned by Mr William Ernest Brennand who, when his offer of the buildings to the Education Committee was turned down, opposed plans for a school at Seldown (now Poole Grammar School) and opened the Parkstone School. The first headmaster of the school was Revd Stanley Moss, the vicar of St Peter's church and the Commemorative Day Service of the school was celebrated on 27th January 1909 by which time the school had already grown from 14 pupils to 150 pupils, with pupils under 12 paying ยฃ1.10s per term and pupils over 12 paying 2 guineas a term, with a reduction of 10p for successive students from the same family. Although the school was developed as a voluntary fee paying day and boarding school, it ran into financial trouble in 1913 when Mr Brennand died and the school was left mortgaged. Immediately after the First World War the school began to expand rapidly, despite the fact that free places were unable to be offered except through private donations, as the school was still not supported by the Poole Education Committee. In 1922 the space between the 2 orginal buildings was roofed over to form the 'great hall' and the shop next door was also taken in. The school thrived academically and its financial problems were solved when Dorset County Council took it over in 1935, with Revd Moss remaining as the headmaster. Two of the school rules at the time were:
"Pupils are not allowed to come to school together (except in the same family) without permission from the headmaster. "Between the first Bell for Morning school and the final dismissal after afternoon prayers, no talking is allowed except during Recess and the dinner interval. Pupils should note that talking on the stairs and between lessons is forbidden by this rule." The school moved to its current site between Broadstone and Canford Heath on the A349 (Gravel Hill) on 11 October, 1966. It was originally situated in Seldown, in the centre of Poole, where it was founded in 1904. Originally Poole Grammar was the only grammar school in Poole. This quickly filled up so Parkstone Grammar School was opened. At first, both schools took boys and girls, but this was changed by Poole Council who sent boys at Parkstone to Poole and girls at Poole to Parkstone. This started the separation of boys and girls which is still in effect today. The two grammar schools have very close links as they are only approximately 1000 metres apart. They share certain activities such as Science clubs and school discos.
