Trafalgar School
Portsmouth, PO2 9RJ · Portsmouth · secondary school
Check the area around this school
5th of 11 secondary schools in Portsmouth we can score. Local and same-phase on purpose: a national table mostly measures who attends.
Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still — 3.5/10 against 492 of them, against 2.1/10 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 | 52 | 35% | 1.84 |
| Grade 5+ English & maths 2025/26 | 27.0 · 10 | 30% | 0.30 |
| Progress 8 2023/24 | -0.19 · 36 | 25% | 0.89 |
| 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.
Trafalgar School overview
How it's doing
Ofsted rated the school Good in 2023. In 2024/25, 37.6% of pupils achieved Grade 5 or above in English and maths. Attainment 8 was 43.5, compared to the national median of 44.6. Progress 8 was -0.19 in 2023/24, indicating pupils did worse than nationally similar peers. Narrow the comparison to schools whose pupils have similar backgrounds and it does better still (5.8 out of 10 against similar schools, 3.5 out of 10 against all schools).
Getting in
The published school roll is 1,031 pupils against a stated capacity of 1,000. 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 used to improve Progress 8 scores for students from similar backgrounds?
What Ofsted said about Trafalgar School
Overview
Trafalgar School is described as a “highly inclusive” environment where “pupils thrive and feel safe.” The report highlights “highly positive” relationships and “exceptional” personal development, noting that staff effectively remove barriers to learning. While the overall effectiveness is rated Good, the school is praised for its nurturing culture and ambitious curriculum improvements.
Strengths
- “Pupils thrive and feel safe” within a “highly inclusive” school community.
- “Personal development of pupils is exceptional,” supported by a rich programme of enrichment and leadership opportunities.
- Staff provide “precise help” and effective support for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
- Leaders have “increased the ambition of the curriculum,” leading to improved acquisition of linguistic knowledge in modern foreign languages.
- “Sanctions for poor behaviour are uncommon” as pupils comply with high expectations and value the education provided.
Areas to improve
- Leaders should embed teaching strategies to ensure pupils “explore concepts in sufficient depth and detail,” helping them connect ideas securely.
- Leaders must “sharpen the efficacy of their plans to improve attendance” for pupils who are not attending regularly, including some disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND.
Safeguarding
The arrangements for safeguarding are effective, with a “strong culture of safeguarding” where staff take “quick and effective action” to seek help when needed.
Results over time
Attainment 8, the years we hold.
| Year | Attainment 8 |
|---|---|
| 2023/24 | 37.8 |
| 2024/25 | 43.5 |
| 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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