Highbury Primary School
Portsmouth, PO6 2RZ · Portsmouth · primary school
Check the area around this school
14th 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.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 6.4/10 against 2,479 of them, against 5.4/10 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
| Measure | Percentile | Weight | Adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 63.0 · 46 | 40% | 1.85 |
| Ofsted | 12 | 35% | 0.40 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 10.0 · 66 | 25% | 1.65 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Highbury Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 63.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. For the higher standard, 10.0% achieved this, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (6.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 5.4 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in November 2025 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Getting in
The published school roll is 391 pupils against a stated capacity of 420. 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 fall below the expected standard in maths? What does a typical day look like for a child in Year 6? How does the new Ofsted report card affect current teaching priorities?
What Ofsted said about Highbury Primary School
Overview
Highbury Primary School is described as a supportive and nurturing community where pupils feel safe and happy. The report highlights a "forensic approach" to inclusion and strong leadership, noting that most pupils achieve well and are prepared for secondary school.
Strengths
- Inclusion is a "real strength," with leaders ensuring "all disadvantaged pupils should have every opportunity to achieve and thrive."
- Pupils behave well, showing respect and cooperating effectively, while attendance is high with persistent absence "much lower than the national average."
- The curriculum is "broad and ambitious," helping pupils use subject-specific vocabulary and gain knowledge about life in modern Britain.
- Staff benefit from a "supportive culture" and professional development, while governors and the multi-academy trust provide secure oversight.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should ensure teaching consistently supports learning of basic skills, specifically "letter formation and multiplication tables."
- Some tasks do not always enable pupils to demonstrate their knowledge effectively, and understanding in some subjects is not as deep as it could be.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 43% |
| 2023/24 | 55% |
| 2024/25 | 63% |
| 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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