Arundel Court Primary Academy and Nursery
Portsmouth, PO1 1FG · Portsmouth · primary school
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31st of 32 primary schools in Portsmouth we can score, 45 in total — the rest without enough published data. 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 — 0.9/10 against 615 of them, against 0.7/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 35.0 · 5 | 40% | 0.20 |
| Ofsted | 1 | 35% | 0.03 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 0.0 · 10 | 25% | 0.26 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Arundel Court Primary Academy and Nursery overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 35.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 0.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. 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 (0.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.7 out of 10 against all schools). The school was inspected in April 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 668 pupils against a stated capacity of 710. 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 who are below the expected standard in maths? What specific steps are taken to improve attainment in writing? How does the new inspection framework affect current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Arundel Court Primary Academy and Nursery
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils are "well mannered and happy," benefiting from positive relationships with staff and a "calm and focused learning environment." However, inconsistencies in teaching and curriculum implementation mean that pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, "do not achieve as well as they should" in national examinations, with outcomes currently below national averages.
Strengths
- Attendance is a high priority, with "robust systems" and effective strategies like the ‘soft start’ helping attendance improve to levels "broadly in line with national averages."
- Behaviour is managed effectively through positive relationships; there is "very little disruption to learning," bullying is rare, and interventions help pupils stay in lessons.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are identified quickly and supported well, enabling them to "progress well from their starting points."
- The teaching of phonics is "effective," with teachers well trained and maintaining "high fidelity to the scheme."
- Pastoral support is a priority, featuring a "highly effective system" of weekly meetings to address individual pupil challenges.
Areas to improve
- Leaders must ensure teaching identifies misconceptions effectively so that pupils, including disadvantaged ones, achieve well in national examinations.
- Leaders should ensure pupils develop necessary writing skills, focusing on "fluent handwriting, sentence structure and letter formation."
- Leaders must ensure the personal, social and health education curriculum is implemented effectively so pupils develop their knowledge securely.
- In the early years, leaders should ensure "high-quality adult interactions" build on children's learning so they achieve consistently well.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 31% |
| 2023/24 | 35% |
| 2024/25 | 35% |
| England | 64% |
Source: DfE Explore Education Statistics. “England” is the median of the 14,326 state schools in England we hold a 2024/25 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
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2027
- Primary National Offer Day16 Apr 2027
- Primary (Reception) application deadline15 Jan 2028
- Primary National Offer Day17 Apr 2028
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