Swanmore College
Southampton, SO32 2RB · Hampshire · secondary school
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14th of 69 secondary schools in Hampshire we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — 6.8/10 against 876 of them, against 6.6/10 nationally. So this is not simply a reflection of who attends. 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 49.4 · 61 | 30% | 1.83 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.25 · 69 | 25% | 1.72 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 51.6 · 76 | 10% | 0.76 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Swanmore College overview
How it's doing
Inspected in 2023, the school is rated Good. In 2024/25, 50.8% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 49.4, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.25 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally from similar starting points. Its results hold up when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so they are not simply a reflection of who attends (7.1 out of 10 against similar schools, 6.8 out of 10 against all schools).
Beyond the classroom
Pupils can join the Chamber Orchestra, Brass Ensemble, and Neurodiversity Ambassadors Club. Sports include volleyball, badminton, and cricket. Arts options cover the Chamber Choir, Musical Theatre Club, and Umbrella Dance. Trips range from the Belgium Battlefields to a ski trip to Sestriere, Italy. Breakfast and after-school clubs are available for wraparound care.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,338 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,350. 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 Progress 8 score of +0.25 translate into support for individual pupils? What specific support is available for students in the Neurodiversity Ambassadors Club?
What Ofsted said about Swanmore College
Overview
Swanmore College continues to be a good school, offering a "friendly and happy" environment where pupils feel safe and well prepared for the future. Leaders have established an "ambitious curriculum" that supports high aspirations, resulting in pupils achieving well across subjects and benefiting from a distinctive "family" ethos.
Strengths
- Pupils’ behaviour is described as "excellent," with leaders dealing with bullying very well and maintaining a "calm and orderly" school.
- The curriculum is "broad and inclusive," with effective mapping of learning sequences that help pupils build subject knowledge and cultural appreciation.
- Personal development is a strength, inspiring pupils to become "confident, caring and resilient" through a well-designed careers programme and focus on online safety.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) achieve well, supported by staff who "adapt the curriculum effectively" for additional needs.
- Staff feel valued and give generously of their time, supported by strong governance that ensures effective challenge and support for leaders.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should embed a rigorous approach to helping key stage 4 pupils who struggle to read, mirroring the effective support provided in key stage 3.
- Leaders should communicate more clearly the rationale behind sanctions to ensure pupils and parents perceive the behaviour system as fair and consistently implemented.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with "extremely well organised" systems, routine high-quality staff training, and a culture of vigilance that ensures pupils receive necessary help.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 52.1 |
| 2024/25 | 49.4 |
| 2025/26 | 51.6 |
| 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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