City of Portsmouth College

About City of Portsmouth College

City of Portsmouth College, a state sixth form for students aged 16 to 99, has a clear academic story to tell. Its most recent Ofsted inspection judged the school as Good overall, a rating that places it among the stronger options in Portsmouth, where only three of the twelve secondary schools in the local authority have achieved Outstanding. The most informative exam metric comes from its 2023/24 A-Level results: the average points per entry was 30.79, which translates to a grade of C. The school’s best three A-Levels averaged a C grade as well, with a points score of 28.34. However, the value-added score of -0.15 suggests that, on average, students achieved slightly below what their prior attainment would predict, and the progress banding is classified as Below average. This is a school that delivers solid, mid-range outcomes for a large cohort of 390 students, but it is not pushing its pupils beyond expected trajectories.

Looking more closely at the academic picture, the proportion of students achieving AAB or higher in at least two facilitating subjects was 6.5 percent, a figure that reflects the school’s broad intake rather than a highly selective academic profile. The value-added lower and upper confidence intervals (-0.23 and -0.08) confirm that the below-average progress is statistically significant, though the gap is modest. For context, the local authority average Progress 8 score for secondary schools is -0.31, so City of Portsmouth College’s value-added is actually slightly better than the typical Portsmouth school’s overall progress measure. The school’s points per entry grade of C aligns with the best three A-Levels grade of C, indicating consistency across subjects. Parents should note that the school does not publish separate maths or English progress data for its sixth-formers, but the overall picture is one of a decent, dependable provider rather than an academic powerhouse.

On the practical side, City of Portsmouth College offers an impressive range of facilities for a state sixth form, including a swimming pool, sports hall, science labs, art studios, music rooms, and a dedicated sixth form centre. Sports provision covers cricket, rowing, gymnastics, and athletics, while clubs range from Eco Club and DofE to a newspaper and coding group. The school is non-denominational and mixed, with no religious character, and it serves a wide age range up to 99, suggesting a strong adult education component. It is oversubscribed? The data does not indicate that, but its Good rating and central Portsmouth location make it a practical choice for families seeking a local sixth form with solid facilities and a broad curriculum. This school will suit students who want a supportive, well-resourced environment with a realistic academic offer, rather than those aiming for the most competitive university destinations.

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