The Cowplain School
Waterlooville, PO8 8RY · Hampshire · secondary school
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42nd 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 — 2.9/10 against 801 of them, against 2.7/10 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 | 35.7 · 26 | 30% | 0.79 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.24 · 32 | 25% | 0.79 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 40.1 · 20 | 10% | 0.20 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Cowplain School overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted following an inspection in 2024. In 2024/25, 38.4% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 39.6, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.24 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than nationally matched peers. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (3.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.2 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 993 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,080. 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 current attainment and the national median? What specific strategies are in place to improve Progress 8 scores for students from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about The Cowplain School
Overview
The Cowplain School is described as having a "warm and welcoming atmosphere" where pupils are "motivated to work hard" and feel "safe and happy." The report highlights a "sharply focused vision" for success, noting that while previous exam results were impacted by the pandemic, the curriculum has undergone "significant improvements" and pupils are now progressing more successfully.
Strengths
- Relationships are built on "mutual respect," with staff showing "genuine care" and pupils trusting that bullying will be dealt with effectively.
- The curriculum is clearly structured around "thinking hard, developing character and understanding diversity," with reading as the "bedrock."
- Staff possess "strong subject knowledge" and explain content clearly, while pupils with special educational needs receive "appropriate support" from well-trained staff.
- Pupils benefit from a wide range of clubs and leadership roles, fostering character development and community contribution.
- Personal development is prioritised, with pupils receiving "regular, useful, unbiased careers advice" and learning about mental health and relationships.
Areas to improve
- Teachers must "assess pupils’ knowledge consistently accurately" before moving on, to ensure gaps and misconceptions are addressed effectively.
- Leaders and trustees need to ensure quality assurance procedures provide an "accurate view" of curriculum implementation to address inconsistencies across year groups.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective."
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 39.0 |
| 2024/25 | 39.6 |
| 2025/26 | 40.1 |
| 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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