Havant and South Downs College
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Capacity
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Pupils
1.3x
Demand
About Havant and South Downs College
Havant and South Downs College is a state-funded Does not apply secondary school serving the Havant community, welcoming children from age 16 to 99.
Ofsted has rated Havant and South Downs College "Inadequate", the school is led by headteacher Mike Gaston, it falls under Hampshire local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of -0.98 is well below the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is developing at 30.7. Additionally, ranked 3009th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 7th out of 8 in Havant.
Havant and South Downs College is a popular choice with families — it received 96 applications for 75 places, making it 1.3x oversubscribed. Of these, 54 were first-preference applications.
Havant and South Downs College has mixed reviews on SchoolParrot (2.6/5 from 1 parents), and parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is positive, with 75% recommending the school (84 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 7 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 4 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at Havant and South Downs College include ICT Suite, Art Studios, Tennis Courts, Library, Music Rooms, Swimming Pool, Gymnasium, Astro Turf, Sports Hall, Sixth Form Centre, Theatre, Playing Fields, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Football, Rugby, Rowing, Rounders and 4 more, as well as clubs including Gardening, Science Club, Newspaper, Art Club and 2 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 60.1%, which is well above the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Havant, Havant and South Downs College is one of the options available in the South East region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 16 to 99 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Does not apply |
| Address | College Road, Waterlooville, Havant, PO7 8AA |
| Headteacher | Mike Gaston |
| Local Authority | Hampshire |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 60.1% |
| School Capacity | 700 |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
4 Feb 2025Quality of Education
Inadequate
Since Sep 2024, Ofsted no longer assigns a single overall grade
Source: Ofsted, 2 May 2025. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (-0.98)
3009th of 3,141
Nationally
440th of 461
In South East
7th of 8
In Havant
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make significantly less progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
Ofsted Parent View
84 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
13Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
14Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed75
96
Balanced
Applications roughly match available places
54 families put this school as their 1st choice (56% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Havant and South Downs College
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
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
College Road, Waterlooville
Havant, PO7 8AA
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Reviews on Other Platforms
External reviews are provided by third-party platforms and are not verified by Classpot.
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