Living in Portsmouth

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Portsmouth Schools

There are 62 schools in Portsmouth. Of these, 47 include primary phase classes and 11 include secondary phase classes (one all- through school has both primary and secondary phases). There are five schools for pupils with special education needs.

Here's what Ofsted says…

82% of schools in Portsmouth are good or better

(Source: school inspection reports as published by Ofsted as at August 2023.)

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Pupils enjoy coming to school and like learning new things. They feel well supported by their teachers and friends.


October 2019

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Teachers help pupils become confident young adults who can express ideas and opinions thoughtfully.


October 2019

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Pupils love their school. They attend regularly and enjoy the wide variety of enriching opportunities provided.


July 2019

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Leaders are determined to provide a high-quality education for all pupils, regardless of their ability or circumstances. Leaders prioritise pupils’ personal development and well-being.


October 2019

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Leaders, including governors, and staff aspire for pupils to experience a vibrant curriculum. They know clearly what pupils should learn and by when.


September 2019

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Teachers have reliably high expectations of pupils’ attitudes to learning. The consequent effort that pupils put into their work is clearly reflected in its high quality.


July 2019

School Admissions

If you are considering moving to Portsmouth to teach or to train to teach, you may be interested in finding out about school admissions. Portsmouth City Council is committed to working in close co-operation with school staff, governors and parents to make sure that all children in Portsmouth have an exciting, rewarding and successful experience in school.

Many Portsmouth schools give priority in the admissions criteria to the children of teachers and school staff who are employed at the school (or school on an adjacent site), including where the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a skill shortage.

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Local Offer for SEND pupils

For families of children with special education needs, you may be interested in the Local Offer website setting out in one place information about provision that is available across education, health and social care for children and young people who have Special Educational Needs or are disabled, including those who do not have Education, Health and Care plans.

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Portsmouth Music Hub

An example of the thriving education picture in the city is the Portsmouth Music Hub, which won the Music Education Council's Major Award for a second consecutive year in 2017.

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Capital investment in Schools

Financial investment in school buildings is a priority for the Council. There are clear plans of the future demand for school places and plans to develop more accommodation in the city. Investment in recent years has especially been in secondary school provision due to rising numbers of secondary pupils. The focus is now moving to accommodation for pupils with special education needs. Feasibility studies are also being undertaken to explore primary school expansions to accommodate children from new housing developments which are scheduled to be built within the next decade. 

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