Penbridge Junior School

About Penbridge Junior School

Penbridge Junior School sits third out of 32 primary schools in Portsmouth, placing it comfortably in the top ten per cent of its local authority. That ranking is built on solid academic foundations: 70 per cent of its pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined in the 2023/24 Key Stage 2 tests. To put that in perspective, the Portsmouth average for the same measure is 53 per cent, so Penbridge is a clear 17 points ahead of its neighbours. The school also outperforms the LA average in individual subjects — 82 per cent hit the expected standard in reading, 80 per cent in maths, and 78 per cent in writing. While no pupils achieved the higher standard in all three subjects simultaneously, 28 per cent did so in reading and 16 per cent in maths, suggesting strong performance at the top end in literacy and numeracy. The school’s ranking score of 70 places it just behind Ark Ayrton Primary Academy (80) and level with Langstone Primary Academy and St John’s Cathedral Catholic Primary School.

Ofsted inspectors judged Penbridge Junior School as Good overall in their most recent graded inspection, with leadership and management also rated Good. The school has improved significantly since its previous inspection in 2010, when it was rated Requires Improvement. In the 2023 ungraded inspection, inspectors confirmed the school remains Good. With 441 pupils on roll against a capacity of 480, the school is close to full but not oversubscribed. Just over half of its pupils (52.2 per cent) are eligible for free school meals, which is notably high and suggests the school serves a community with above-average levels of disadvantage. Despite this, its academic outcomes are well above the local average, which points to effective teaching and support. The school does not have a nursery or sixth form, and its age range is strictly 7 to 11, so it is a straightforward junior school feeding into secondary provision elsewhere.

Penbridge offers a decent range of facilities including a Forest School, art studios, an ICT suite, a dining hall and a chapel. Sports provision covers football, rounders, gymnastics, cricket, dance and swimming, while clubs include Eco Club, Science Club and Choir. The school’s SEND provision is comprehensive, covering specific learning difficulties like dyslexia, moderate learning difficulties, social, emotional and mental health needs, speech, language and communication needs, visual impairment, physical disability and autistic spectrum disorder. This breadth suggests the school is well equipped to support children with a variety of additional needs. For families in Portsmouth looking for a junior school that delivers strong academic results despite serving a relatively disadvantaged intake, Penbridge stands out as a pragmatic, high-performing option. Its Good Ofsted rating, strong local ranking and wide-ranging SEND support make it a sensible choice for parents who value measurable outcomes and inclusive provision.

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