Fairisle Junior School
97%
Capacity
379
Pupils
N/A
Demand
About Fairisle Junior School
Fairisle Junior School in Southampton is a state primary for children aged 7 to 11, and it is running very close to full capacity with 379 pupils on a 390-place roll. That tight fit suggests strong local demand, and the school’s intake stands out for its level of disadvantage: 45.4% of pupils qualify for free school meals, well above the national average and a clear signal that this is a genuinely inclusive, community-focused school. The headteacher is Robin Hayes, and the school has no religious character. Despite the high FSM percentage, Fairisle has been rated Good by Ofsted in its most recent graded inspection in 2018, and an ungraded inspection in 2023 confirmed the school remains Good. That is a solid endorsement of the leadership and management, which were also rated Good, and it suggests the school is holding its standard steady rather than slipping.
Academically, Fairisle is performing well above the local authority average. In the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 tests, 78% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined, compared with a Southampton average of just 55%. That puts the school 5th out of 42 primary schools in the LA, comfortably inside the top 25% nationally. The average scores in reading (106) and maths (105) are both above the national benchmark of 100, and the proportion reaching the higher standard is respectable too: 27% in reading, 21% in maths, though writing at the higher level drops to 7%. Progress scores are not available in the data, so it is hard to say how much value the school adds, but the raw outcomes are strong for a school with this level of pupil disadvantage.
The school offers a broad set of facilities including a sensory room, library, ICT suite, art studios, music rooms, sports hall and playing fields, plus clubs ranging from drama and film to chess and gardening. Sports provision covers football, rounders, dance and swimming. The SEND register is extensive, covering dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social and emotional needs, speech and language issues, visual and multi-sensory impairment, physical disability and autistic spectrum disorder. That breadth, combined with the high FSM intake, makes Fairisle a strong choice for families who want a genuinely inclusive, well-run local school that delivers above-average results without being selective. The nearest Outstanding-rated school is Holy Family Catholic Primary, 1.3 km away, but Fairisle’s Good rating and strong outcomes make it a credible first choice for many families in the area.
Key Details
| School Type | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 7 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | Fairisle Road, Southampton, Southampton, SO16 8BY |
| Headteacher | Robin Hayes |
| Local Authority | Southampton |
| Number of Pupils | 379 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 45.4% |
| School Capacity | 379 / 390 (97% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
5 May 2023Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (5 May 2023): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 20 Apr 2018. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (78%)
1958th of 13,686
Nationally
268th of 2,034
In South East
5th of 42
In Southampton
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
78%
Expected Standard
6%
Higher Standard
'22/23
71%
'23/24
78%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
9Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Class profile
2024/25Better than half of schools in England.
75% of schools in England do better than this.
Lower is generally better — fewer pupils per teacher or per class means more individual attention. Sources: DfE School Workforce Census & Schools, pupils and their characteristics, 2024/25.
Pupils & demographics
2024/25Among the highest-disadvantage schools.
Above the national median (10%) — a meaningful share speak English as an additional language.
Ethnic background
- White British66.8%
- White (other)13.5%
- Asian8.6%
- Mixed3.3%
- Black0.3%
Source: DfE Schools, pupils and their characteristics (2024/25). Percentages may not sum to 100% — pupils classified as “unclassified”, “refused” or minor categories are not shown.
Attendance & Behaviour
2024/25Half of schools in England do better than this.
Half of schools in England do better than this.
Pupils missing 10% or more of sessions.
Better than half of schools in England.
A pupil temporarily sent home for behaviour.
Like most schools in England, no pupils were permanently excluded this year.
Ranks vs all state-funded schools in England. Source: DfE Pupil absence in schools & Suspensions and permanent exclusions.
Catchment & Local Competition
No catchment data published for this school
The dashed grey ring is a generic 1-mile reference area — it's not an admission boundary. Real catchment depends on year, demand, and council criteria. We currently have real data for about 6% of UK schools and are actively expanding the database.
Schools within 1 mile (reference area)
1 mile is a fixed reference, not this school's catchment.
10
Total schools
8
Oversubscribed
9
Primary
Don’t use the dashed grey ring as a catchment boundary — it’s a reference area for counting nearby schools only. Real admission boundaries depend on year-by-year demand and council criteria; ask the school or council for authoritative info.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Fairisle Junior School
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
How to Choose a Primary School
Step-by-step guide to choosing the right primary school
KS2 SATs Explained
A parent's guide to Year 6 SATs and how results are reported
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Contact Information
Fairisle Road, Southampton
Southampton, SO16 8BY
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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