Calthorpe Park School Review 2026: A Modern Community Hub

Set on the edge of Fleet with a campus that blends established architecture with a striking £10 million expansion, Calthorpe Park School serves its local community with a clear sense of purpose. This is a school that has managed to grow significantly—now accommodating over 1,600 students—without losing the distinct "village" feel that parents value. Results are strong, placing the school in the top 25% of state secondaries in England, but the focus here is equally weighted towards character, evidenced by the pervasive "Calthorpe Way" ethos.

At drop-off, the Hitches Lane entrance reveals a school in evolution. The original buildings have been joined by a modern teaching block opened in 2021, housing state-of-the-art facilities for mathematics and art. This investment has transformed the site, replacing tired temporary classrooms with light-filled, purpose-built spaces that signal high academic expectations.

Mr Kevan John has led the school since 2021, bringing a leadership style that emphasises consistency and kindness. Under his tenure, the school has navigated significant expansion while maintaining its Good Ofsted rating in the 2023 inspection. The atmosphere is purposeful but relaxed; students move between lessons with the confidence of those who feel safe and known.

The school operates a vibrant House system, with houses named after pioneers—Austen, Hawking, Nightingale, Orwell, Parks, and Turing. This structure breaks the large cohort down into manageable communities, fostering a healthy competitive spirit in everything from sports days to charity fundraising. The school values—Kindness, Ambition, Respect, Resilience, Integrity, and Community—are not merely wall art but are actively referenced in lessons and assemblies.

Academic outcomes consistently exceed national benchmarks. In 2024, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 55.2, significantly above the England average of 45.9. This indicates that students, on average, achieve a grade higher across their best eight subjects than their peers nationally.

Calthorpe Park ranks 981st in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), and ranks 3rd among schools in the Fleet area, placing it in the top tier locally.

Progress is also a strength. The Progress 8 score of +0.25 suggests that students make above-average progress from their primary school starting points. The percentage of students achieving Grade 5 or above in English and Mathematics is robust, reflecting strong core teaching. Notably, the school enters a high proportion of students for the English Baccalaureate, ensuring a broad academic diet rather than narrowing choices to maximise league table position.

The curriculum is broad and ambitious, designed to keep doors open for the future. In Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9), all students study a full range of subjects including drama, music, and art, alongside two languages (typically French and Spanish or German). The school resists the trend of shortening Key Stage 3, giving students three full years to explore subjects in depth before selecting options.

Teaching is characterised by strong subject knowledge and clear routines. The "Calthorpe Way" for learning establishes consistent expectations in every classroom, meaning little time is lost to low-level disruption. Support for students with Special Educational Needs (SEND) is coordinated from "The Hub", a dedicated space that provides a sanctuary for those finding the main school environment overwhelming.

Specialist facilities enhance the learning experience. The science laboratories are well-equipped, and the new art studios offer excellent natural light for creative work. Design Technology workshops allow for working with resistant materials, textiles, and food, maintaining practical skills often squeezed elsewhere.

As an 11-16 school, Calthorpe Park focuses intensively on preparing students for post-16 transition. There is no sixth form on site, which means the school can focus entirely on the GCSE journey without the distraction of older students.

The majority of leavers progress to The Sixth Form College Farnborough, one of the country's leading sixth form colleges, located just a few miles away. Others choose Alton College or Farnborough College of Technology for vocational pathways. The school's careers advice is robust, with a dedicated careers lead ensuring every student has a clear plan, whether that involves A-levels, T-levels, or apprenticeships.

Transition support is excellent. The school maintains close links with local colleges, and former students often return to discuss their experiences, helping Year 11s demystify the move to further education.

Admissions are coordinated by Hampshire County Council. Calthorpe Park is a popular school and is consistently oversubscribed. In 2024, there were 621 applications for approximately 300 places, resulting in a subscription ratio of 1.78 applications per place.

The school serves a defined catchment area in Fleet and the surrounding villages. Places are allocated first to looked-after children and those with EHCPs, followed by siblings and then those living within the catchment area.

The last distance offered is not published as a fixed figure each year due to the catchment-based nature of the criteria, but families living outside the catchment area (e.g., in central Fleet or Church Crookham) often find it difficult to secure a place unless they have sibling priority. Families should consult the FindMySchoolMap to check their catchment status.

Pastoral care is organised through the House system, providing a vertical structure where younger students can look up to older peers. Form tutors remain with their group as they move up the school, providing a consistent point of contact for families.

"The Hub" and the "Student Support" teams are central to the school's wellbeing offer. They provide everything from medical support to emotional coaching. The school has been proactive in addressing mental health, with trained Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSAs) available to work with students facing difficulties.

Ofsted inspectors in 2023 noted that "pupils feel happy and safe" and that bullying is rare and dealt with effectively when it occurs. The atmosphere in the dining hall and playgrounds is sociable and orderly.

The extracurricular programme is extensive, utilising the school's ample grounds and facilities. Sport is a major pillar; the school fields competitive teams in football, rugby, netball, and athletics, and the expansive playing fields and tennis courts are well-used.

The arts are equally well-served. The annual school production is a highlight of the calendar, involving over 100 students in cast and crew roles. Music tuition is available for a wide range of instruments, and the Jazz Band and Choir perform regularly at local events.

For those interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), clubs like Lego Robotics and the Green Power car racing team offer practical challenges. The Eco-Club has been instrumental in driving sustainability initiatives across the campus. Trips are frequent and varied, ranging from geography fieldwork in the New Forest to ski trips in Europe and history tours to the battlefields.

This is a state school with no tuition fees. Parents should budget for uniform, sports kit, and optional school trips. Music tuition is available at an additional cost, typically around £22 per lesson.

The school day begins at 8:40 am and concludes at 3:10 pm. The site is located on Hitches Lane, adjacent to the Hart Leisure Centre. Many students walk or cycle from the local area, utilising the secure bike sheds.

For those travelling from further afield, dedicated school buses serve the surrounding villages. Parents driving for drop-off should be aware that Hitches Lane can be busy; the school encourages "park and stride" from the leisure centre car park to reduce congestion.

Wraparound care is not provided on-site, but the library is open before and after school for homework and quiet study.

No Sixth Form. Students must move institutions at 16. While this allows for a fresh start and access to specialist colleges like Farnborough, some families prefer the continuity of an all-through 11-18 school.

Oversubscription. With nearly two applications for every place, securing entry can be stressful for those on the catchment boundary. Families moving into the area should verify their address status carefully with Hampshire County Council.

Campus Size. With over 1,600 students, the school is large. While the House system breaks this down, quieter children may initially find the sheer number of peers in the corridors daunting compared to a smaller primary setting.

Construction Evolution. While major works are complete, the school continues to upgrade facilities. This positive investment can occasionally mean logistical changes to movement around the site.

Calthorpe Park School offers a dynamic, successful education that balances academic rigour with genuine care for the individual. The modern facilities and strong results place it among the top schools in the region. Best suited to families in the Fleet area who want a high-performing comprehensive that prepares students excellently for the transition to sixth form college. The main challenge is securing a place within the tight catchment.