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Bourne Community College

Emsworth, PO10 8PJ · West Sussex · secondary school

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Ofsted report card · 2026 Lowest area: Needs attention Mixed Secondary
3.1/10 Below average

34th of 38 secondary schools in West Sussex we can score, 40 in total — the rest without enough published data. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.

Narrow the comparison to the 914 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 3.4/10 among them, against 4.3/10 nationally. 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
MeasurePercentileWeightAdds
Ofsted 9 35% 0.32
Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 39.5 · 36 30% 1.08
Progress 8 2023/24 0.15 · 60 25% 1.51
Attainment 8 2025/26 40.5 · 22 10% 0.22

Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.

Bourne Community College overview

How it's doing

In 2024/25, 32.7% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 39.1, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.15 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 2.0 out of 10 among them, against 3.6 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted inspected the school in January 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.

Getting in

The published school roll is 692 pupils against a stated capacity of 900. 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 current attainment and the national median? What specific steps are taken to improve progress scores for students from similar backgrounds? How does the new Ofsted framework influence your current teaching priorities?

AI-assisted overview based on this school's published results, inspection record and official website. Sources and dates are shown throughout this page. Verify information that could change directly with the school.

What Ofsted said about Bourne Community College

Inspection report dated 6 January 2026

Overview

Bourne Community College is described as an "inviting community school" where pupils are "happy and safe" and demonstrate a "deep sense of belonging." While the school meets safeguarding standards and provides strong support for personal development and pupils with special educational needs, the report identifies that achievement, attendance, curriculum delivery, and leadership require attention to ensure consistent improvement.

Strengths

  • Safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed."
  • Leaders are "knowledgeable" about supporting pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), providing "well-matched specialist support."
  • Pupils are "well supported in their personal development," benefiting from opportunities to broaden experiences and develop an appreciation of "cultural and social diversity."
  • Behaviour is typically "calm and orderly," with bullying and discrimination happening "rarely" and managed "swiftly and effectively."
  • Staff build "positive relationships" with pupils and families, ensuring effective partnership working.

Areas to improve

  • Leaders must ensure "highly effective teaching is embedded across the school" so pupils, including disadvantaged pupils, can achieve in line with their potential.
  • Leaders should check that their attendance strategy is reducing persistent absence, particularly for disadvantaged pupils, and take "swift action where needed."
  • Governors should broaden their expertise to "challenge leaders and hold the school to account more effectively."

Safeguarding

The report states that "safeguarding standards are met," meaning leaders have established an open culture where safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and pupils are made safer and feel safe.

This is an AI-assisted summary of the official Ofsted report, not a statement written by Ofsted. Check the full official report before making a decision.
Progress 8
+0.15
2023/24
Attainment 8
40.5
2025/26
Demand
×0.87
1st prefs per place, 2026/27
Free school meals
21%
vs 30% across England

Results over time

Attainment 8, the years we hold.

45.7 2023/24
39.1 2024/25
40.5 2025/26
44.9 England
Attainment 8 for Bourne Community College
YearAttainment 8
2023/2445.7
2024/2539.1
2025/2640.5
England44.9

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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