Applemore College
Southampton, SO45 4RQ · Hampshire · secondary school
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63rd of 69 secondary schools in Hampshire we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 0.7/10 against 745 of them, against 1.0/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. Both figures are results only, without the inspection grade. A lower figure here means a stronger comparison group, not a weaker school.
How this is worked out
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 28.3 · 13 | 46% | 0.58 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.74 · 7 | 38% | 0.27 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 37.4 · 10 | 15% | 0.16 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Applemore College overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 32.2% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths, compared to the national median Attainment 8 of 44.6 (school score 36.7). Progress 8 was -0.74 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally starting from the same place. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (1.2 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.4 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join Code Club, Chess Club, Rock + Pop Band, Textiles Club, Film Club, KS3 Art Club, Knitting/Crochet Club, and Choir. Sports include Netball, Badminton, Rugby, Football, Trampolining, and Table Tennis. Arts activities feature Matilda Rehearsals and DofE. Trips visit The Ageas Bowl, Southampton stadium, Bournemouth, New Forest, Beaulieu, and Roche Court. Breakfast and after-school clubs are available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 478 pupils against a stated capacity of 775. These whole-school figures do not establish entry-year vacancies or the likelihood of an offer. Confirm entry-year availability and admissions criteria with the school or local authority.
Worth asking on a visit
How does the school support pupils to close the gap between their Progress 8 score and the national
What Ofsted said about Applemore College
Overview
Applemore College is described as a school where pupils are "happy and safe," benefiting from "supportive and compassionate" relationships with staff. The report highlights that recent leadership changes have fostered a "sense of purpose" and improved behaviour, with the school’s core values of "believe, respect and determination" actively embedded. While the curriculum is generally "broad, balanced and ambitious," the inspection identifies specific gaps in supporting disadvantaged pupils and refining strategic planning.
Strengths
- The "life skills programme" is a key strength, effectively preparing pupils for life in modern Britain through focus on safety, health, and careers.
- Behaviour has improved significantly, resulting in "calmer classroom environments with minimal confrontation" and a sharp decrease in suspensions.
- Teachers possess "strong subject knowledge," and initiatives like "wisdom Wednesdays" promote consistency and best practice across the staff.
- Literacy initiatives, including a literary festival and library ambassadors, are having a "positive impact," particularly for disadvantaged and older pupils.
- Pupils are "active and respectful citizens" with a wide range of leadership opportunities, such as prefects and ambassadors.
Areas to improve
- Staff must better adapt teaching to meet the learning needs of disadvantaged pupils to ensure they achieve well.
- The school needs to continue developing strategies to improve attendance for pupils who do not attend regularly.
- Leaders should systematically analyse data to evaluate the impact of improvement actions and refine school planning.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 35.8 |
| 2024/25 | 36.7 |
| 2025/26 | 37.4 |
| England | 44.9 |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 3,682 state schools in England we hold a 2025/26 figure for — a school-level median, not the DfE's pupil-weighted national figure.
Your offer chance
—Based on official applications/offers, distance and catchment where we have it. Bands only — never a percentage.
Sibling, faith, looked-after and other criteria can override distance. Always confirm with the school or local authority.
Next dates
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2026
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2027
- Secondary application deadline31 Oct 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day1 Mar 2028
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