Miltoncross Academy
Portsmouth, PO3 6RB · Portsmouth · secondary school
Check the area around this school
10th of 11 secondary schools in Portsmouth we can score. 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 — 1.8/10 against 414 of them, against 1.0/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 26.5 · 9 | 46% | 0.44 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.6 · 12 | 38% | 0.45 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 35.8 · 7 | 15% | 0.10 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Miltoncross Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 26.9% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 36.3, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.6 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those nationally who started from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (2.4 out of 10 against similar schools, 1.1 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 983 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,000. 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 strategies are used to improve Progress 8 scores for students from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about Miltoncross Academy
Overview
Miltoncross Academy provides a welcoming environment where most pupils feel safe and are supported in their personal development. While the school has made progress in improving behaviour and the quality of education since the last inspection, the report states that improvements have not been consistent enough to meet high expectations. Consequently, the school is judged as requiring improvement in several key areas, though safeguarding arrangements are effective.
Strengths
- The school offers an "ambitious curriculum" with more pupils studying English Baccalaureate subjects than in most schools.
- Personal development is rated as good, with pupils learning to "stay healthy, be respectful and develop positive relationships."
- Reading is a high priority, with staff providing "effective support" to help pupils catch up and fostering a love of reading.
- Support for pupils with significant special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), such as those with education, health and care plans, is effective.
- Leaders and the academy trust provide targeted support, and communication with parents has "improved considerably."
Areas to improve
- Staff must better identify misconceptions in pupils’ knowledge, particularly for those with SEND, to ensure teaching adapts and learning builds securely.
- Behaviour management approaches are not always applied consistently, allowing some poor behaviour to go unchallenged and hinder learning.
- The school needs to analyse attendance data more precisely to identify patterns and target strategies to tackle absence effectively.
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 | 34.6 |
| 2024/25 | 36.3 |
| 2025/26 | 35.8 |
| 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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