Best Schools in Portsmouth 2026 — Rankings, Ofsted Ratings & Reviews
Compare 57 schools and nurseries in Portsmouth — Ofsted ratings, exam results & admissions data.
Portsmouth has 57 schools educating over 28,000 pupils on Portsea Island and the surrounding area. The naval city offers a compact educational landscape where most families live within walking distance of multiple school options.
Admiral Lord Nelson School and Springfield School are among the well-regarded secondaries. Portsmouth Grammar School is a leading independent. The city's primary schools serve a diverse community with a mix of academies, community schools and faith schools.
Portsmouth at a Glance
Top Primary Schools in Portsmouth
| School | Area | Ofsted | KS2 RWM % | Reading | Maths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ark Ayrton Primary Academy | Portsmouth | Good | 80% | — | — |
| St John's Cathedral Catholic Primary School | Portsmouth | Good | 70% | — | — |
| Langstone Primary Academy | Portsmouth | Good | 70% | — | — |
| Penbridge Junior School | Portsmouth | Good | 70% | — | — |
| St Swithun's Catholic Primary School | Portsmouth | Good | 67% | — | — |
Top Secondary Schools in Portsmouth
| School | Area | Ofsted | Progress 8 | 5+ GCSE % | EBacc % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Edmund's Catholic School | Portsmouth | Outstanding | +0.66 | 87% | 56% |
| Trafalgar School | Portsmouth | Good | -0.19 | 47% | 37% |
| Ark Charter Academy | Portsmouth | Good | -0.32 | 56% | 64% |
| Admiral Lord Nelson School | Portsmouth | Good | -0.35 | 66% | 71% |
| UTC Portsmouth | Portsmouth | Outstanding | -0.47 | 82% | 0% |
Admissions in Portsmouth — Key Dates
Portsmouth City Council coordinates admissions for state schools. Secondary applications closed on 31 October 2025 with offers on 1 March 2026. Primary applications close on 15 January 2026 with offers on 16 April 2026. Apply through portsmouth.gov.uk.
Tip: Classpot shows the applications-to-places ratio for every school so you can gauge how competitive admissions are before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best schools in Portsmouth?
Admiral Lord Nelson School and Springfield School are well-regarded state secondaries. Portsmouth Grammar School and Mayville High School are leading independents.
Are there grammar schools in Portsmouth?
No. Portsmouth has no state grammar schools. Portsmouth Grammar School is an independent school (fee-paying). Portsmouth operates a comprehensive admissions system.
How are Portsmouth schools performing?
Portsmouth schools have improved, though the city still faces challenges with deprivation. Several academy trusts have driven significant improvement in recent years.
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