St Swithun's Catholic Primary School
101%
Capacity
354
Pupils
2.7x
Demand
About St Swithun's Catholic Primary School
St Swithun's Catholic Primary School is a state-funded Roman Catholic primary school serving the Portsmouth community, welcoming children from age 2 to 11. The school has 354 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (101% of 351 places). Nursery provision is also available on site.
Ofsted has rated St Swithun's Catholic Primary School "Good", the school is led by headteacher Jennifer Verhiest, it falls under Portsmouth local authority.
In terms of academic performance, 67% of pupils met the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths at KS2 — above the national average. Additionally, ranked 5619th out of 13,686 schools in England. Additionally, 7th out of 32 in Portsmouth.
St Swithun's Catholic Primary School is a popular choice with families — it received 123 applications for 46 places, making it 2.7x oversubscribed. Of these, 56 were first-preference applications.
St Swithun's Catholic Primary School parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is overwhelmingly positive, with 99% recommending the school (80 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 St Swithun's Catholic Primary School include ICT Suite, Gymnasium, Sports Hall, Sensory Room, Dining Hall, Music Rooms, Art Studios, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Swimming, Athletics, Netball, Gymnastics and 1 more, as well as clubs including Chess, Book Club, Coding, Choir and 2 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 16.5%, which is below the national average for primary schools in England.
For families exploring primary schools in Portsmouth, St Swithun's Catholic Primary School 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 | Primary (State) |
| Age Range | 2 to 11 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Taswell Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO5 2RG |
| Headteacher | Jennifer Verhiest |
| Local Authority | Portsmouth |
| Number of Pupils | 354 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 16.5% |
| School Capacity | 354 / 351 (101% full) |
| Nursery Classes | Yes |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
26 Feb 2025Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (26 Feb 2025): Standards maintained
Additional Provisions
Source: Ofsted, 19 Feb 2016. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths (67%)
5619th of 13,686
Nationally
793rd of 2,034
In South East
7th of 32
In Portsmouth
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE KS2 Reading, Writing & Maths data
KS2 SATs Results
2023/24Reading, Writing & Maths Combined
67%
Expected Standard
2%
Higher Standard
'22/23
64%
'23/24
67%
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. National expected standard benchmark is around 65%.
Ofsted Parent View
80 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
8Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
11Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed46
123
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
56 families put this school as their 1st choice (46% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Swithun's Catholic Primary 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
Taswell Road, Southsea
Portsmouth, PO5 2RG
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
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