The Portsmouth Academy
Portsmouth, PO1 5PF · Portsmouth · secondary school
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7th of 11 secondary schools in Portsmouth 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 — 0.9/10 against 225 of them, against 0.5/10 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 | 34% | 1.79 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 24.2 · 7 | 30% | 0.21 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -1.1 · 2 | 25% | 0.04 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 34.5 · 5 | 10% | 0.05 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
The Portsmouth Academy overview
How it's doing
The school is rated Good by Ofsted, with the last inspection in 2022. In 2024/25, 20.5% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 33.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -1.1 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than those 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 (0.7 out of 10 against similar schools, 0.3 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,203 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,150. 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
What support is available for pupils who are behind in English and maths? How has the school maintained its Good rating since the 2022 inspection?
What Ofsted said about The Portsmouth Academy
Overview
The Portsmouth Academy continues to be a good school, where pupils feel safe and well cared for. Leaders are knowledgeable and engaged, fostering strong relationships with staff and a broad, balanced curriculum designed to transform pupils’ life chances.
Strengths
- Relationships between teachers and pupils are "particularly strong," with staff described as "knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects."
- The provision for careers is "particularly strong," featuring "exceptional links with industry and commerce" and productive partnerships with Portsmouth University.
- Extra-curricular activities are "extensive and well attended," including a successful Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme and active community volunteering.
- Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities are "well supported and achieve well" through personalised programmes.
- Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with the single central record maintained to a "very high standard" and robust training for staff.
Areas to improve
- Curriculum intent and implementation are "not yet fully embedded securely across all subjects," requiring further work to ensure all subjects match the best practice already in place.
- The behaviour of a "very small minority of pupils" causes disruption, and expectations are "not always applied consistently," necessitating continued embedding of the revised behaviour policy.
Safeguarding
The report states that "the arrangements for safeguarding are effective," noting that staff understand their responsibilities and that concerns are thoroughly investigated.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 34.8 |
| 2024/25 | 33.5 |
| 2025/26 | 34.5 |
| 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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