A multi-campus further education college serving Portsmouth and the surrounding region, City of Portsmouth College offers academic, vocational, and technical qualifications to students aged 16 and above. Formed in August 2021 through the merger of Highbury College and Portsmouth College, the institution operates across four distinct campuses: Highbury, Sixth Form, Arundel, and North Harbour. Each campus has its own specialism, from A-levels and T Levels to construction trades and specialist SEND provision. The college was rated Good by Ofsted in October 2024, with inspectors noting a calm and welcoming environment where students respond well to clear expectations. With nearly 60 years of combined heritage, the college maintains strong links with local industries and Portsmouth City Council to align education with regional employment needs.
The transformation from two legacy institutions into one cohesive college has required significant cultural work. Principal and CEO Katy Quinn, who took the helm in July 2022 following an interim period, brought over 25 years of further education experience to the role. Her previous leadership of Strode College, an Outstanding-rated tertiary college in Somerset, provided a template for the improvement journey. Senior leaders and governors have very successfully transformed the culture at the college. Managers and staff across all campuses refer to an open and transparent culture, with almost all staff embracing the challenges and taking pride in their role within the post-merger improvement journey.
Students and apprentices benefit from studying in a calm environment across all four campuses. They feel their teachers and support staff are caring and respond to their needs positively. The college serves a genuinely diverse student body, from those pursuing Russell Group university places to learners with Education, Health and Care Plans requiring specialist support.
The landmark Ayrton Tower at Highbury Campus, a 10-storey building dating from 1970, was renamed in 2025 to honour Hertha Ayrton, the pioneering electrical engineer, physicist, inventor, and suffragette born in Portsea. The tower has been the focus of a £4.84 million refurbishment programme, with upgraded teaching spaces for T Level students and simulated facilities for health, social care, and childcare courses.
A-level results at City of Portsmouth College sit below the England average. In 2024, 39% of grades were A*-B, compared to the England average of 47.2%. At the top end, 14.3% of grades were A*-A, against an England average of 23.6%. The college ranks 1,779th in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the lower 40% of providers.
The Sixth Form Campus nonetheless achieved a 96.1% overall pass rate in 2025, with 33 subjects recording 100% pass rates. At this campus, 15% of students achieved straight A to A* grades, and more than half received A*-B grades in subjects including English, Film Studies, Sociology, Business, and Politics.
Vocational and technical qualifications tell a stronger story. The college achieved 100% pass rates in Early Years and Health T Levels, and 17 of 26 vocational courses reached 100% pass rates. Overall, over 1,000 students achieved success in 1,633 academic, technical, and vocational qualifications in 2025, marking the fourth consecutive record year.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
39.01%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
The curriculum spans A-levels, T Levels, vocational diplomas, apprenticeships, and higher education qualifications. Students can mix academic and vocational courses within their study programme to match their interests and career goals. At the Sixth Form Campus, students enjoy a 9.55am start and a guaranteed 4pm finish, with one lesson in the morning and one in the afternoon. At least one morning and one afternoon per week is free for private study.
Teachers use a range of strategies to gather appropriate and detailed information about students' prior learning. At the Sixth Form Campus, students complete useful Flying Start tasks at the beginning of their courses, helping teachers identify prior subject knowledge and helping students understand the demands of the subject. Staff continue to assess students' and apprentices' prior skills through the initial weeks of their courses, identifying gaps in knowledge or skills and taking steps to help students address these gaps promptly.
T Levels, developed in collaboration with employers, require students to spend 80% of the course in the classroom learning essential skills, with the remaining 20% on an industry placement in a real-world environment. Each T Level is worth UCAS points equivalent to three A-levels, opening pathways to higher education, higher apprenticeships, or direct employment.
The apprenticeship provision was rated Requires Improvement in the October 2024 inspection. Principal Quinn acknowledged this, noting that an action plan is well underway to bring it up to the standards of the rest of the college.
In 2024, 17% of the leaving cohort progressed to university, with a further 12% continuing into further education, 8% starting apprenticeships, and 35% entering employment directly.
University destinations provide evidence of the college's academic pipeline. Following the 2025 results, 334 students secured places at their first-choice universities, including 41 at Russell Group institutions. Students have progressed to universities including the University of Portsmouth, Southampton, and institutions across the country.
The college has developed an increasingly strong relationship with the University of Portsmouth, offering foundation degrees and higher education qualifications in partnership. This provides a local progression route for students who wish to remain in the city for their degree studies.
For those not pursuing university, apprenticeships with leading UK companies and direct employment in sectors aligned to the college's vocational programmes provide structured pathways into careers.
City of Portsmouth College accepts applications from students aged 16 and above for its main programmes. Applications for September 2026 entry are now open.
There are three ways to apply. Online applications involve searching for the desired course and clicking the apply button. Email applications should be sent to info@copc.ac.uk for Highbury, Arundel, or North Harbour courses, and sfc_admissions@copc.ac.uk for Sixth Form courses. Postal applications can be sent to City of Portsmouth College, Admissions, Highbury Campus, Tudor Crescent, Portsmouth PO6 2SA.
Following application, candidates receive details of an interview with the course lecturer or tutor. This provides an opportunity to discuss the chosen course, ask questions, and receive guidance on future study plans. For the majority of students, a verbal offer is given during the interview, later confirmed by email. Offers are conditional on achieving the required entry grades.
Entry requirements vary by course and level. A-level programmes typically require a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and mathematics. Vocational courses have requirements tailored to the level of study.
The college has a dedicated support infrastructure comprising Learning Support Assistants, SEND Team Leaders, Pastoral Care Support Workers, a Medical Support Worker, Enhanced Learning Support Assistants, a SEND Transitional Coach, and an Exam Concession Assessor. Staff work collaboratively to assess student needs and implement tailored support programmes.
The college provides a screening process for students who have not previously been diagnosed with dyslexia or neurodiversity. Assistive technology includes adapted computers with alternative keyboards, mice, and height-adjustable desks. Software such as Read&Write Gold and ZoomText Magnifier improves access to digital resources.
Specialist facilities include Sunflower Lodge at the Sixth Form Campus, a dedicated Life Skills building with a house and garden designed to help SEND students develop independence. The Arundel Campus serves as a smaller dedicated campus for students with social, emotional, and mental health needs, featuring a sensory room. Sensory rooms are also available at the Highbury and North Harbour campuses.
Mental health and wellbeing support runs across all campuses. Parents and carers are assigned a dedicated staff contact, and the college holds regular coffee mornings for parents of SEND students.
The Sports Academy offers traditional team sports including football, rugby, hockey, netball, badminton, and basketball, alongside exercise classes and individual participation sports such as Zumba, futsal, table tennis, and boxercise. Students can represent the college in Association of Colleges competitions in football, athletics, boccia, basketball, and badminton.
The Portsmouth College Football Academy has won competitions both locally and abroad. The Elite Football qualification gives students already playing at club level the opportunity to broaden their skills and understanding of the game.
Facilities include a full-sized sports hall suitable for basketball, volleyball, netball, indoor hockey, and football, as well as a fully equipped gym and outdoor sports pitches.
Students have access to a recording studio, specialist studios for Drama, Art, Photography, Film, and Graphic Design, and high-tech IT suites. The Rock Choir, Dance Live, and Rock Challenge provide performance opportunities. Students can learn instruments and make use of production facilities.
Programmes include First Aid training, Combined Cadet Force, the Unloc Leadership Academy, WorldSkills competitions, and the Extended Project Qualification. The Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme provides structured personal development challenges.
Volunteering opportunities and Adventures for Students programmes connect students with local and international communities. Young Enterprise provides business education and entrepreneurship experience.
The four campuses are distributed across Portsmouth with distinct transport profiles.
Highbury Campus on Tudor Crescent is a 12-minute walk from Cosham train station. The closest bus stop, Highbury Building Stand D, is roughly a 7-minute walk. Free parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Sixth Form Campus on Tangier Road is close to the M27 motorway with two free all-day car parks available to students and staff.
Arundel Campus on Arundel Street sits in the heart of Portsmouth's commercial district, within close walking distance of Commercial Road shopping area. Portsmouth and Southsea train station is a 4-minute walk away.
North Harbour Campus in Paulsgrove is accessible from the M27 and A27, with free parking. The nearest bus stop is on Racecourse Lane, served by First Bus.
The college offers financial support for travel, including free annual bus passes for eligible students, ferry and hovercraft passes for Isle of Wight students at up to 50% discount, and contributions towards train or car travel costs.
A-level performance sits below average. The college ranks in the lower 40% of England providers for A-level outcomes. Students targeting highly competitive university courses should weigh this against the Sixth Form Campus pass rates and the specific subjects where the college achieves stronger results.
Apprenticeship provision requires improvement. The October 2024 Ofsted inspection rated apprenticeships as Requires Improvement, while all other areas achieved Good. The college has acknowledged this and is implementing an improvement plan.
Multi-campus structure requires planning. With four campuses across Portsmouth, students should confirm which campus delivers their chosen course and plan their travel accordingly. Course combinations across campuses may involve additional travel.
Diverse student body means varied peer groups. The college serves students with a wide range of abilities and goals, from those with SEND needs to those pursuing Russell Group universities. This creates an inclusive environment but differs from a sixth form attached to a selective school.
City of Portsmouth College provides post-16 education across a broader spectrum than most traditional sixth forms. The Good Ofsted rating in 2024 reflects genuine progress since the merger, with inspectors recognising the calm environment and caring staff. Strong vocational and T Level provision, combined with specialist SEND support, makes this a particularly good fit for students seeking practical, career-focused qualifications or those requiring additional learning support. A-level students should look carefully at subject-specific pass rates and consider whether the flexible, college-based environment suits their learning style. Best suited to students who value independence, appreciate mixing academic and vocational pathways, or require the specialist support infrastructure that a large FE college can provide. Students seeking a more traditional academic sixth form experience may prefer alternatives.
City of Portsmouth College was rated Good by Ofsted in October 2024, with Good ratings across quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management. Inspectors noted a calm and welcoming environment where students respond well to clear expectations. Apprenticeships were rated Requires Improvement. The college achieved a 96% overall pass rate in 2025, with 334 students securing first-choice university places.
The college offers A-levels, T Levels, vocational diplomas from Entry Level to Level 5, apprenticeships, and higher education qualifications including foundation degrees in partnership with the University of Portsmouth. Students can combine academic and vocational courses within their study programme.
Applications can be made online through the college website, by email (info@copc.ac.uk for most courses, sfc_admissions@copc.ac.uk for Sixth Form), or by post. Following application, candidates attend an interview with course staff. Offers are typically made verbally at interview and confirmed by email.
A-level programmes typically require a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and mathematics. Specific subjects may have additional requirements. The Sixth Form Campus admissions team can advise on individual circumstances.
The college has extensive SEND provision including Learning Support Assistants, SEND Team Leaders, and a dedicated SEND Transitional Coach. Specialist facilities include Sunflower Lodge at the Sixth Form Campus and a dedicated Arundel Campus for students with SEMH needs. Assistive technology, screening services, and sensory rooms are available across campuses.
In 2025, 334 students secured first-choice university places, including 41 at Russell Group institutions. Others progress to apprenticeships with leading UK companies, further education, or employment. The college has strong links with the University of Portsmouth for local progression.
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