Portslade Aldridge Community Academy
Brighton, BN41 2WS · Brighton and Hove · secondary school
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7th of 10 secondary schools in Brighton and Hove 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 — 6.2/10 against 750 of them, against 5.0/10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ofsted | 14 | 35% | 0.49 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 46.1 · 53 | 30% | 1.59 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.01 · 50 | 25% | 1.24 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 44.1 · 40 | 10% | 0.40 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Portslade Aldridge Community Academy overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 42.7% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 42.7, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.01 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did slightly 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 (6.0 out of 10 against similar schools, 4.6 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted inspected the school in January 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join dance clubs and the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Sports include football, netball, basketball, rounders, cricket, dodgeball, and the Fulking Run. Trips feature skiing, climbing Mount Snowdon, Modern Foreign Languages visits to Paris or Barcelona, Activities Week, and an 8 mile walk through the South Downs.
Getting in
The published school roll is 910 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,075. 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 benchmark? What specific support is available for
What Ofsted said about Portslade Aldridge Community Academy
Overview
The report describes a school with a "highly positive ethos" where pupils feel safe and develop a "strong sense of pride and belonging." While inclusion is rated at a "strong standard" and behaviour is a clear strength, attendance remains a significant concern, rated as "needs attention." Overall, the school meets the "expected standard" in most areas, with leaders actively working to improve consistency in teaching and raise attendance levels.
Strengths
- Inclusion is "central to the school’s work," with systems that are "highly effective" in identifying and supporting pupils’ specific needs.
- Behaviour is praised as a strength, with "low-level disruption" being "very rare" and a "highly positive environment" throughout the school.
- The curriculum is "ambitious and very well designed," delivered by teachers with "very secure" subject knowledge.
- Pastoral support is strong; staff "care for pupils," and relationships are described as "warm, trusting and open."
- Leaders and governors provide "tight" oversight, with staff feeling proud and well-supported in their roles.
Areas to improve
- Attendance rates are "relatively low" and "above average" for persistent absence; leaders must ensure a "securely rising trend" so pupils benefit fully from provision.
- Teaching consistency needs improvement; teachers must check the "security of pupils’ knowledge" before moving on and better understand pupils’ "starting points."
- Leaders are taking action to strengthen pupils’ "engagement with employers" and their experience of the world of work.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with an "open culture" where concerns are "actively identified, acted upon and managed," ensuring pupils are made safer and feel safe.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 46.6 |
| 2024/25 | 42.7 |
| 2025/26 | 44.1 |
| 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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