Cams Hill School Review 2026: Academic Excellence in Fareham

Set within the residential landscape of Fareham, Cams Hill School has established itself as a leading choice for families across Hampshire. As a large 11 to 16 secondary academy, it currently serves over 1,000 students in a community that values both academic rigour and personal growth. The school ranks 1st among secondary providers in Fareham (FindMySchool ranking), a position supported by GCSE results that consistently outperform local and England averages.

Mr. Ian Hudson has served as the Headteacher since September 2024, following a period as Interim Headteacher and a significant tenure as Deputy Headteacher. His leadership maintains a focus on high expectations and a structured learning environment. The school was most recently inspected in December 2024. While graded inspections no longer provide an overall effectiveness grade under the September 2024 framework, the inspection confirmed that the school continues to maintain high standards, with inspectors noting the calm, orderly environment and the school's decisive action to improve academic outcomes.

The campus, situated on the eastern edge of Fareham, combines functional 20th-century architecture with recent investments in specialist facilities. There is a palpable sense of order at the start of the school day, where the uniform is worn with pride and the transition between lessons is efficient.

Cams Hill operates with a clear set of core values: Inspire, Nurture, and Achieve. These are not merely decorative; they form the basis of the school's reward system and are reflected in the respectful interactions between students and staff. The atmosphere is one of focused ambition. Students are encouraged to be curious and to take responsibility for their own learning journeys.

The school is part of the Gateway Multi Academy Trust, which allows it to maintain a distinct local identity while benefiting from shared governance and resources. This independence is visible in the bespoke enrichment programmes and the strong links maintained with local primary schools.

The school ranks 1,668th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). This performance reflects a solid achievement, placing Cams Hill in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile). Within the Fareham area, the school ranks 1st, making it the highest-performing local secondary for academic outcomes based on the most recent validated data.

Performance metrics tell a story of consistent success. The average Attainment 8 score is 51.7, which is significantly higher than the England average of 46.2. While the Progress 8 score of -0.08 is slightly below the neutral baseline of 0.0, it indicates that students generally achieve results in line with their starting points from primary school, particularly in core academic subjects.

In the English Baccalaureate (EBacc), the average point score of 4.41 remains above the England average of 4.08. These statistics demonstrate that the school successfully pushes its students towards high-grade achievements across a broad range of traditional academic disciplines.

Teaching at Cams Hill is characterised by expert subject knowledge and a highly structured approach to lesson delivery. The curriculum is broad and balanced, designed to challenge students from the moment they arrive in Year 7. In the lower years, the focus is on building deep foundational knowledge across the arts, sciences, and humanities.

As students move into Key Stage 4, the options process is carefully managed to ensure they follow pathways that maximise their post-16 opportunities. Science is a particular area of strength, with many students opting for the triple science route. The school also maintains a strong commitment to modern foreign languages, with German and French being popular choices that contribute to the school's EBacc success.

The library serves as a central hub for independent study, and the school has invested in digital platforms to support homework and revision. Regular assessment and feedback loops mean that students are always aware of their current progress and the specific steps required to reach the next grade boundary.

The pastoral system is organised through year groups, each led by a Head of Year and supported by a team of tutors. This structure ensures that every student has a consistent point of contact who understands their individual social and academic needs. The school operates a firm but fair behaviour curriculum, which is credited with maintaining the quiet, productive corridors mentioned in the latest Ofsted report.

Wellbeing is integrated into the daily life of the school through the personal development curriculum. Topics such as mental health awareness, online safety, and resilience are covered extensively. For students requiring more intensive support, the school provides access to a dedicated Safeguarding Culture team and trained adults who students feel they can go to with concerns.

The extracurricular life at Cams Hill is remarkably diverse, offering students the chance to develop skills far beyond the standard curriculum. STEM excellence is a major pillar of the school's identity. Students participate in various technical challenges, including robotics and design competitions that utilize the school's modern workshop facilities.

STEM: Innovation at Scale

The STEM facilities are a highlight, including modernised laboratories and design technology suites equipped with industry-standard equipment. The school also fosters talents in the arts, with high-quality musical and theatrical performances. The Music Department supports a variety of ensembles, while sports are equally prominent, with the school making full use of its extensive playing fields and sports hall for fixtures in rugby, netball, and football.

Cams Hill School is consistently oversubscribed, reflecting its status as the top-ranked school in Fareham. For the recent entry cycle, the school received nearly two applications for every place available, making entry highly competitive.

Applications are coordinated through Hampshire County Council. The national deadline for Year 7 entry in September 2026 is 31 October 2025. Offers are released on 2 March 2026. The school's admissions policy gives priority to looked-after children, those with siblings already at the school, and those living within the designated catchment area. Parents should use the FindMySchool Map Search to check their precise distance from the school gates compared to previous intake patterns.

Fees & Financial Aid

As a state-funded academy, Cams Hill School has no tuition fees. Education is provided free of charge to all admitted students. However, parents should budget for associated costs such as the school uniform, physical education kits, and voluntary contributions for optional trips or specialized music lessons. The school manages a resourced provision for pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, for which places are allocated and funded by the Local Authority.

Where Students Go Next

As an 11 to 16 school, the transition at the end of Year 11 is a critical milestone. Cams Hill provides extensive careers guidance to help students navigate their post-16 options. The school has established strong links with local sixth-form providers, including Fareham College and various Hampshire sixth forms.

The majority of students progress to A-level or Level 3 vocational courses. A significant proportion of leavers eventually secure places at Russell Group universities, a trajectory supported by the school's rigorous academic foundations.

The school day typically concludes by 3:00pm, with extracurricular clubs running after hours. For those using public transport, the school is accessible via local bus routes and is located within walking distance for many families in the Fareham area. Cycle storage is provided on-site for students who prefer to bike to school.

• Fierce competition for places: With high subscription levels, Cams Hill is one of the most sought-after schools in Fareham. Families should verify catchment status before assuming a place will be available.
• No on-site sixth form: Students must transition to a new environment at age 16. While the school provides excellent support for this move, it requires students to be ready for a significant change in their educational setting.
• High academic expectations: The environment is purposefully academic. While this suits most learners, the school’s high standards for behaviour and outcomes require a committed approach from every student.

Cams Hill School remains the academic benchmark for secondary education in Fareham. It offers a structured, ambitious, and supportive environment where students are pushed to achieve their best. The combination of top-tier local rankings and a vibrant extracurricular programme makes it a compelling choice. Best suited to academically motivated students who thrive in a traditional, well-ordered school setting. Families interested in this option can use the Saved Schools feature on FindMySchool to manage their shortlist.