Thornden School
Eastleigh, SO53 2DW · Hampshire · secondary school
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2nd of 69 secondary schools in Hampshire we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to the 273 schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 6.3/10 among them, against 9.4/10 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 | 87 | 35% | 3.04 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 79.9 · 94 | 30% | 2.83 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | 0.74 · 92 | 25% | 2.31 |
| Attainment 8 2025/26 | 64.5 · 95 | 10% | 0.95 |
Each measure is read as a position among comparable schools, so a school in the middle of the country scores 5. Full method.
Thornden School overview
How it's doing
In 2024/25, 72.8% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 59.9, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was +0.74 in 2023/24, indicating better progress than pupils nationally starting from the same place. Narrow the comparison to the schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds — a tougher field — and it places 5.4 out of 10 among them, against 9.2 out of 10 nationally. Ofsted inspected the school in June 2026 under the new framework, which grades areas separately without an overall grade.
Beyond the classroom
Pupils join STEM, coding, chess, languages, library, board games, Pride Group, and Operation Clean Up Thornden clubs. Sports include athletics, cricket, rounders, and tennis. Arts and music features choirs, bands, orchestras, dance companies, and drama productions. The school offers the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and an after-school club.
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,440 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,400. 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 new
What Ofsted said about Thornden School
Overview
The report describes a school where pupils’ achievement is “exceptional,” with attainment well beyond national averages. Leaders have fostered a “kind, calm and collaborative” culture, resulting in high attendance and very good behaviour. The school is praised for its inclusive ethos, where all pupils, including those with additional barriers, are “exceptionally well prepared for their next steps.”
Strengths
- Pupils attain “exceptionally well” in national examinations, with disadvantaged pupils often outperforming national averages for non-disadvantaged peers.
- The curriculum places great emphasis on vocabulary and oracy, helping pupils “articulate their learning clearly” and link ideas together.
- Inclusion is “at the heart of the school,” with precise adaptations ensuring pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities thrive.
- Staff are “highly positive” about working at the school, valuing the shared high ambition and supportive leadership.
- Parents are “overwhelmingly positive,” applauding the individualised approach and positive cultural changes.
Areas to improve
- The report advises the school to “continue to embed the highly effective school leadership, structures and processes” to sustain exceptional outcomes.
Safeguarding
The safeguarding standards are met, with leaders establishing an “open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility” and concerns are actively identified and managed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 61.4 |
| 2024/25 | 59.9 |
| 2025/26 | 64.5 |
| 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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