Selecting a school or college for your child is one of the most significant decisions parents and guardians face. With numerous educational institutions across Portsmouth, Hampshire, understanding the latest Ofsted ratings can provide invaluable guidance. The 2025 Ofsted inspection cycle has delivered fresh insights into school performance across the region, revealing both exceptional establishments and those requiring improvement.
This comprehensive guide examines the best and worst schools and colleges in Portsmouth according to Ofsted ratings for 2025, helping families make informed decisions about their child’s education.
What Are Ofsted Ratings and How Do They Work?
Ofsted (Office of Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills) inspections evaluate schools and educational provisions using four key judgement categories:
- Quality of Education:Â How well the curriculum is designed and taught
- Behaviour and Attitudes:Â Pupil conduct and school culture
- Personal Development:Â Opportunities for growth beyond academics
- Leadership and Management:Â Effectiveness of school leadership and governance
Schools receive ratings of Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate. From September 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns an overall effectiveness judgement to state-funded schools, instead focusing on individual category assessments.
The Best Schools and Colleges in Portsmouth: Outstanding Ratings 2025
1. Pennywell Early Years Centre
Rating: Outstanding (All Categories)
Location: Portsmouth Road, Pennywell, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR4 9AX
Inspection Date: 17 June 2025
Pennywell Early Years Centre achieved the highest accolade across all assessment categories. This exceptional early years provision demonstrates outstanding practice in quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. The centre sets a benchmark for early years education in the region, with consistently excellent outcomes for young learners.
Key Strengths:
- Comprehensive curriculum design with clearly sequenced learning objectives
- Exceptional staff training and professional development
- Outstanding personal development opportunities
- Exemplary leadership creating a culture of continuous improvement
2. Undershaw Education Trust
Rating: Outstanding (All Categories including Sixth-Form Provision)
Location: Portsmouth Road, Hindhead, Surrey GU26 6AQ
Inspection Date: 11–13 February 2025
Undershaw Education Trust, an independent school, received outstanding ratings across all categories including sixth-form provision. The institution meets all independent school standards and demonstrates exceptional academic rigour combined with excellent pastoral care. This is an exceptional choice for families seeking outstanding secondary education and A-level preparation.
Key Strengths:
- Outstanding sixth-form provision and progression routes
- Exceptional quality of education across all year groups
- Exemplary behaviour standards and school culture
- Outstanding leadership with clear vision and strategic direction
3. Redwood Park Academy
Rating: Outstanding (All Categories)
Location: Wembley Grove, Cosham, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO6 2RY
Inspection Date:Â 09 June 2025
Redwood Park Academy (SOLENT ACADEMIES TRUST) maintains outstanding status across all categories. The academy continues to deliver excellence in educational provision, demonstrating sustained high performance over several inspection cycles. It represents a consistently excellent choice for families in the Cosham area.
Key Strengths:
- Consistently outstanding academic outcomes
- Strong pastoral and personal development support
- Excellent school leadership and governance
- Exemplary behaviour and attitudes among pupils
The Worst Schools in Portsmouth: Requires Improvement and Inadequate Ratings 2025
1. The Harbour School
Rating: Requires Improvement (All Categories)
Location: Tipner Lane, Tipner, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO2 8RA
Inspection Date: 3 December 2024
The Harbour School requires improvement across all four key categories. The school must implement significant changes to meet acceptable standards. However, the school is working with SOUTHERN EDUCATION TRUST to address these concerns and support school improvement.
Key Areas for Improvement:
- Quality of education delivery and curriculum design
- Behaviour and attitudes management systems
- Personal development opportunities for pupils
- Leadership and management effectiveness
2. Miltoncross Academy
Rating: Requires Improvement (Three Categories)
Location: Milton Road, Milton, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO3 6RB
Inspection Date: 13 May 2025
Miltoncross Academy (THE KEMNAL ACADEMIES TRUST) requires improvement in quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, and leadership and management. Only personal development was rated good, indicating some strengths within the school. The academy must focus on curriculum delivery and behaviour systems to meet acceptable standards.
Key Areas for Improvement:
- Curriculum quality and teaching effectiveness
- Behaviour management and school culture
- Strategic leadership and governance
- Note:Â Personal development rated as good, indicating some strengths
Good Schools and Colleges in Portsmouth: The Solid Performers
The majority of Portsmouth schools are rated “Good,” indicating they meet acceptable standards across most categories. These institutions include reputable primary schools, secondary schools, and specialist provisions that provide reliable, quality education.
Primary Schools Rated Good:
- Ark Dickens Primary Academy (Turner Road, Portsmouth) – Inspection: 22 May 2025
- Beacon View Primary Academy (Allaway Avenue, Paulsgrove) – Inspection: 15 July 2025 (Outstanding in personal development)
- Copnor Primary School (Copnor Road) – Inspection: 8 July 2025 (Outstanding in behaviour and attitudes; Outstanding in personal development)
- Medina Primary School (Medina Road, Cosham) – Inspection: 14 January 2025 (Outstanding in personal development)
- Springfield School (Central Road, Drayton) – Inspection: 23 April 2025
- St George’s Beneficial Church of England Primary School (Hanover Street, Portsea) – Inspection: 8 July 2025
- The Victory Primary School (Allaway Avenue, Paulsgrove) – Inspection: 26 November 2024 (Outstanding in personal development)
- Solent Infant School (Evelegh Road, Farlington) – Inspection: 13–14 May 2025 (Section 8 inspection – evidence suggests significant improvement)
- Solent Junior School (Solent Road, Drayton) – Inspection: 11–12 March 2025 (Good – maintained standards)
- King’s Academy College Park (Junior) (Crofton Road, North End) – Inspection: 26 November 2024
Good-rated schools provide reliable education meeting Ofsted standards. Many include areas of excellence, with several achieving outstanding ratings in specific categories such as personal development or behaviour and attitudes.
Key Findings from 2025 Portsmouth Schools Ofsted Inspections
Outstanding Performance Areas
Several schools demonstrate excellence in specific categories despite overall “Good” ratings:
- Beacon View Primary Academy – Outstanding personal development
- Copnor Primary School – Outstanding behaviour and attitudes; Outstanding personal development
- Medina Primary School – Outstanding personal development
- The Victory Primary School – Outstanding personal development
These findings suggest that Portsmouth schools excel particularly in supporting pupil development beyond academics, creating positive school cultures, and encouraging personal growth.
Areas Requiring Attention
Schools rated “Requires Improvement” must prioritise:
- Curriculum quality and delivery – Ensuring well-sequenced, ambitious curricula
- Behaviour management systems – Creating safe, inclusive school environments
- Leadership effectiveness – Providing clear vision and strategic direction
- Personal development opportunities – Offering enrichment beyond academics
Sixth-Form Excellence
Undershaw Education Trust stands out for outstanding sixth-form provision, making it an excellent choice for families considering A-levels or equivalent qualifications. The school’s outstanding rating across all categories, including sixth-form, indicates exceptional preparation for university and higher education.
How to Use Ofsted Ratings When Choosing a School
1. Check Multiple Categories
Don’t focus solely on overall ratings. Examine individual category assessments to identify schools’ specific strengths and weaknesses. A “Good” school with “Outstanding” personal development may be excellent for nurturing well-rounded pupils.
2. Review Recent Inspection Dates
More recent inspections (2025) provide current information reflecting present school performance. Schools inspected in 2019 may have changed significantly since assessment.
3. Consider Your Child’s Needs
- Academic focus? Prioritise quality of education ratings
- Behaviour support needed? Look for strong behaviour and attitudes ratings
- Holistic development? Seek personal development excellence
- Secondary or A-levels? Check sixth-form provision and academic track records
4. Visit the School
Ofsted ratings are important but represent one snapshot. Visit prospective schools, meet staff, observe classrooms, and assess whether the environment matches your family’s values and your child’s needs.
5. Engage with Local Communities
Connect with local parenting groups and current parents for firsthand perspectives on school performance, culture, and community engagement. Word-of-mouth recommendations from families with recent experience are invaluable.
Portsmouth Secondary School Landscape
Portsmouth’s secondary education includes good-rated academies (King’s Academy College Park Junior) alongside schools requiring improvement (The Harbour School, Miltoncross Academy). The outstanding independent option (Undershaw Education Trust) provides families with premium secondary provision and sixth-form facilities.
When considering secondary schools, parents should examine the school’s progression and achievement data alongside Ofsted ratings. The schools rated “Good” in Portsmouth demonstrate acceptable secondary education standards, whilst those requiring improvement are implementing action plans to enhance provision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Requires Improvement” mean?
Schools rated “Requires Improvement” fail to meet consistently acceptable standards but show potential for development. They receive more frequent monitoring and support to address weaknesses. Parents may wish to monitor progress before enrolling children.
Are good-rated schools sufficient?
Yes. “Good” is an acceptable standard meeting Ofsted requirements. Many excellent schools are rated good, and individual category strengths often indicate particular excellence in specific areas. A good-rated school with outstanding personal development can provide excellent holistic education.
How often are schools inspected?
Ofsted typically inspects good schools every four years, requires improvement schools within two years, and inadequate schools within 18 months. Outstanding schools receive less frequent monitoring, though they may request inspection to update their status.
Can schools improve from requires improvement ratings?
Yes, though it requires significant intervention and support. Schools receive additional support and monitoring from local authorities or academy trusts. Some schools improve dramatically within two years, whilst others require longer-term support.
What support is available for underperforming schools?
Underperforming schools typically partner with trust organisations (such as SOUTHERN EDUCATION TRUST or THE KEMNAL ACADEMIES TRUST) providing expertise, mentoring, and resources for improvement. Trust partnerships often accelerate school improvement.
What is sixth-form provision?
Sixth-form provision refers to post-16 education typically offering A-levels, BTecs, or equivalent qualifications. Schools with outstanding sixth-form ratings provide excellent preparation for university entrance and higher education progression.
