Portswood Primary School
Southampton, SO17 3AA · Southampton · primary school
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2nd of 45 primary schools in Southampton we can score, 55 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 — 9.8/10 against 2,470 of them, against 9.2/10 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 | 87.0 · 96 | 40% | 3.82 |
| Ofsted | 92 | 35% | 3.22 |
| Higher standard (RWM) 2024/25 | 17.0 · 87 | 25% | 2.18 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Portswood Primary School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 87.0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, compared to the national median of 64%. 17.0% reached the higher standard, against a national median of 7%. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (9.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 9.2 out of 10 against all schools). The school was inspected in June 2026 under the new report-card framework, which grades each area separately and gives no overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join Bead Club, Coding Club, and Creative Play, alongside football, tennis, ball games, and basketball. An after-school club is available.
Getting in
The published school roll is 416 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 new report-card framework affect day-to-day teaching priorities? How are the coding and creative play clubs structured for different age groups?
What Ofsted said about Portswood Primary School
Overview
Portswood Primary School is described as a place where "pupils thrive" within a "diverse and inclusive" community. The report highlights that leaders and staff maintain "high expectations for every child," resulting in a positive atmosphere where pupils "want to come to school" and achieve well across the curriculum.
Strengths
- Pupils "achieve extremely well," with strong progress in national tests and across the wider curriculum, including for disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs.
- The curriculum is "well-structured and ambitious," sequencing knowledge effectively from early years to Year 6, supported by "high-quality phonics teaching" and robust assessment systems.
- Behaviour is "excellent," with pupils who are "kind and polite" and conduct themselves with integrity; bullying is rare and staff act quickly if concerns arise.
- Attendance "compares favourably with national averages" and has improved over time, driven by leaders who treat it as a "shared responsibility among staff, pupils and families."
- Personal development is woven through school life, ensuring pupils are "very well prepared for life beyond primary school" with high aspirations and strong social skills.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should "continue to refine and embed their identified priorities for improvement in order to drive a sustained and transformational impact for all pupils."
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an "open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility" and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Expected standard (reading, writing, maths), the years we hold.
| Year | Expected standard (reading, writing, maths) |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | 68% |
| 2023/24 | 78% |
| 2024/25 | 87% |
| 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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