St Edmund's Catholic School
Portsmouth, PO1 1RX · Portsmouth · secondary school
Check the area around this school
1st 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 — 9.5/10 against 840 of them, against 8.7/10 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 | 94 | 35% | 3.26 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 64.0 · 86 | 30% | 2.58 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.66 · 90 | 25% | 2.25 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 56.0 · 87 | 10% | 0.87 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
St Edmund's Catholic School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 70.9% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 58.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.66 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally starting from the same place. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (9.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 9.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Outstanding in 2022-09.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, School Choir, and PE Clubs. Trips include the Eswatini World Challenge, Saalbach Ski Trip, Geography Rivers Fieldwork, Year 8 IOW M Band, Kew Gardens, Rome, Faraday Final Trip To Liverpool, and Berlin.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,157 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,200. 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 in maintaining their Progress 8 scores through Key Stage 4? What specific support is available for students aiming for high grades in English and maths? How does the school manage the transition for new students given the current pupil
What Ofsted said about St Edmund's Catholic School
Overview
St Edmund’s Catholic School continues to be an outstanding school, where pupils are described as “thriving” and enjoying an “excellent all-round education.” The report highlights a strong sense of community driven by the Catholic ethos, with pupils growing into “confident and responsible individuals” who are “exceptionally well cared for.”
Strengths
- The curriculum is “broad, ambitious and carefully planned,” enabling pupils to build knowledge over time and link subjects effectively.
- Staff are “enthusiastic” and use questioning “highly effectively” to check understanding, creating a “calm atmosphere” that helps pupils concentrate.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive “excellent support,” allowing them to access the same curriculum as their peers and achieve very well.
- Reading has a “high profile,” with pupils developing a “love of reading” through a diverse range of literature and effective support for those who struggle.
- Leaders have created an “aspirational culture” with high ambition for all, including disadvantaged pupils, while managing staff workload practically.
Areas to improve
- The report identifies no significant areas for improvement.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, supported by a “well-established safeguarding culture” where the designated safeguarding lead and key staff are “knowledgeable and highly experienced.”
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 55.6 |
| 2024/25 | 58.9 |
| 2025/26 | 56.0 |
| 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
Saved schools live on this device only — no account, no tracking. Visit the school's website
Loading full school details…
Similar schools nearby
Same area, prioritising the same phase — useful for shortlisting alternatives.
Every school within 2.5 miles of PO1 1RX, with results, demand and deadlines — area report →
Have a specific question about admissions, scores or dates?
Ask SchoolsGPT