[Poole Secondary School] breach one of the last bastions of elite education when, in successive years, the first girl and then the first boy went to Oxford University.” In 1927 Poole Secondary School was elevated to Grammar School status, following the Hadow Report. The 1930s were considered the school's "golden age", and in 1933 Poole Grammar School had the highest distinctions in French in England (3); two of the seventeen art distinctions awarded that year; and nine in history – "twice as many as any school in England". The school would go on to achieve the highest number of history distinctions in the country for two more successive years. In 1938 Poole Grammar had the highest number of School Certificate passes in the country, with an average pass rate of 87% during the late thirties, when the average grammar school pass rate was 60%. In 1933 the Bournemouth Echo reported a governors meeting at Parkstone Grammar School decided that "Parkstone Grammar School should… become A School for Girls, and Poole Grammar School a School for Boys". This division was disliked by the then student body, with the debating society passing "This House Believes that Co-Education is the Best Education" by 97 votes to 15. 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 around half a mile (0.8 km) apart. They share certain social activities, drama performances and a number of sixth form subjects including languages and ancient history. Following the Second World War, Poole Grammar School admissions were solely boys who had passed the 11+, with the Education Act 1944 ending fee paying students. In 1960 Poole Grammar School's current location between Broadstone and Canford Heath on the A349 (Gravel Hill) was identified as a countryside site for the much-needed expansion in size of the school. The original Seldown site is now a car park and National Express Coach pick up point. Work began on 30 April 1964 and the buildings were ceremonially opened by Princess Margaret on 11 October 1966. During this period Poole Grammar School was celebrated by the Sunday Times and in the House of Commons as an example of the success of the grammar school system, particularly because of the school's success at Balliol College, Oxford, where it was only beaten in successful applications "by a handful of