Bitterne Park School
About Bitterne Park School
Bitterne Park School is a large, mixed secondary in Southampton that is currently running very close to its capacity of 2,000 pupils, with 2,015 on roll. This slight oversubscription is reflected in its admissions data for the 2025/26 intake, where the school received 638 applications for 324 places, giving an oversubscription ratio of 1.97. Of those applications, 319 were first-preference choices, and 296 of those were offered places. The school serves a community with a notably high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals, at 30.2 per cent. That figure is significantly above the national average for secondary schools, which typically sits around 23-24 per cent, and suggests the school draws from an area with above-average levels of economic disadvantage. The school is non-denominational and has no religious character, and it operates an official sixth form, meaning it caters for students from age 11 right through to 18.
Key Details
The full report on this school
The inspection in plain English, admissions context, and how this school compares to nearby alternatives — all in one full school report.
- Ofsted inspection in plain EnglishStrengths, concerns and what inspectors flagged
- Parent View survey resultsWhat parents told Ofsted — when the school has 10+ responses
- Where Ofsted and parents disagreeGaps to probe + questions to ask at the open day
- Admissions & catchmentAdmission criteria, distance cutoffs (where the LA publishes them)
- Nearby schools comparedBackup options with Ofsted, demand and distance
- Attendance & behaviour dataPersistent absentees, suspensions and exclusions vs national
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
8 May 2024Source: Ofsted, 18 Jun 2024. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
Facilities
10Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
13Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
SEND Support
Resourced ProvisionSource: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bitterne Park School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
School Admissions Timeline 2026/27
Key dates for primary, secondary and nursery applications