Testwood School
Southampton, SO40 3ZW · Hampshire · secondary school
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51st 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 — 0.5/10 against 780 of them, against 0.9/10 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 | 27.8 · 12 | 30% | 0.35 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -1.01 · 2 | 25% | 0.06 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 39.0 · 15 | 10% | 0.15 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Testwood School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 36.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 42.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -1.01 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than peers nationally who started from the same place. Its results are much the same when the comparison narrows to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds, so the gap is not explained by intake (1.9 out of 10 against similar schools, 2.1 out of 10 against all schools). Ofsted rated the school Good in January 2025.
Getting in
The published school roll is 820 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,215. 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 attainment gap with the national median? What specific support is available for students aiming to improve their Progress 8 scores? How does the school ensure consistent quality across all year groups following the recent inspection?
What Ofsted said about Testwood School
Overview
Testwood School has taken effective action to maintain the standards identified at its previous inspection. Pupils are described as proud and happy within an inclusive environment, benefiting from positive relationships and a calm, purposeful atmosphere for learning. The school demonstrates high expectations for achievement and has implemented recent changes to support continued improvement.
Strengths
- Pupils enjoy "positive and mutually respectful relationships" with staff and feel safe, knowing adults take their concerns seriously.
- The redesigned curriculum allows pupils to gain "greater depth of knowledge" in key stage 3 before choosing options, addressing previous attainment gaps.
- Support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) is highly effective, enabling them to "engage fully with their curriculum" and achieve well.
- Staff workload is managed with consideration for well-being, and leaders have "high ambition" for the school’s future.
- Extra-curricular provision is broad and popular, with pupils noting there "is something for everyone".
Areas to improve
- Ensure consistent teaching of subject-specific vocabulary so all pupils understand key terms and can access learning activities effectively.
- Support staff to check understanding carefully and provide clear, consistent feedback to help pupils improve their work.
- Implement the attendance strategy consistently across the whole school to ensure all pupils receive the support needed for regular attendance.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 34.8 |
| 2024/25 | 42.9 |
| 2025/26 | 39.0 |
| 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
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