St Edmund's Catholic School, Portsmouth

St Edmund's Catholic School stands as a high-performing outlier in the Portsmouth educational landscape. Located in a bustling part of the city, this voluntary aided secondary school combines traditional Catholic values with a thoroughly modern approach to academic progress. It is not merely a school for the faithful; it is a rigorous academic institution that consistently delivers outcomes well above the England average.

With approximately 950 students on roll, St Edmund's maintains a family atmosphere that is often claimed but rarely achieved in larger comprehensives. The school was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in February 2016 and has maintained high standards since, evidenced by a Progress 8 score that places it among the top performers locally. Competition for places is fierce, with nearly three applications for every seat, reflecting its status as a destination of choice for families across the city and beyond.

The school operates on a compact, lively site where the Catholic ethos is palpable but welcoming. The atmosphere is one of disciplined warmth; boundaries are clear, but so is the support network. This is not a quiet cloister; it is a vibrant, energetic environment where students move purposefully between lessons. The uniform—a distinctive bottle green blazer—is worn with visible pride, and the expectation of courtesy is enforced not just by staff but by the students themselves.

Mr Simon Graham, who has led the school for over a decade, has established a culture of high expectations. His leadership is characterised by stability and a relentless focus on standards. The school describes itself as a "values-driven community," and this is evident in the pastoral structure. Students belong to a House system that fosters competition and camaraderie, with events ranging from sports days to charity fundraising drives that mobilise the entire school population.

Religious life is central. The day begins with prayer, and Mass is celebrated regularly. While the intake is predominantly Catholic, the school welcomes students from other faiths or none who are willing to support its ethos.

St Edmund's consistently outperforms local and national benchmarks, delivering academic outcomes that open doors for its students.

In 2024, the school achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.66. This is a significant figure; it indicates that students at St Edmund's achieve over half a grade higher in every subject than students of similar ability across England. This value-added measure is a testament to the quality of teaching and the aspirational culture that permeates the classrooms.

Ranked 877th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), St Edmund's sits in the top 19% of schools nationally, a "National Strong" position that outperforms 80% of secondary schools in the country. Locally, the school is a powerhouse, ranked 2nd among secondary schools in Portsmouth.

Attainment is equally robust. In 2024, 29.3% of students achieved Grade 5 or above in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) suite of subjects. The average Attainment 8 score of 55.6 is well above the England average of 45.9, reflecting strength across the curriculum rather than in just a few core subjects.

The curriculum at St Edmund's is ambitious and broad, avoiding the narrowing seen in some schools chasing league table positions. Teaching follows a traditional, knowledge-rich approach. Lessons are structured, purposeful, and characterised by expert subject knowledge.

English and Mathematics are the pillars, but the school maintains a strong commitment to the humanities and languages, consistent with its EBacc focus. Science is taught in well-equipped laboratories, and the uptake of Triple Science is healthy.

The school also champions the creative arts. Music and Drama are not sidelined; they are integral parts of the curriculum, with students encouraged to perform and create. Technology provision includes Computer Science and Design Technology, where facilities allow for practical, hands-on learning. Support for Special Educational Needs (SEN) is fully integrated, with teaching assistants working effectively within classrooms to ensure all students can access the ambitious curriculum.

St Edmund's is an 11-16 school, meaning students leave at the end of Year 11. This transition is managed with care. The school has established strong links with local colleges, ensuring students are well-prepared for A-levels or vocational courses.

The majority of leavers progress to Havant & South Downs College (HSDC), Portsmouth College, or Highbury College. The strong academic foundation provided at St Edmund's means a high proportion of students go on to study Level 3 qualifications (A-levels and BTECs), with many eventually securing places at university, including Russell Group institutions.

Admission to St Edmund's is coordinated by Portsmouth City Council, but as a Voluntary Aided Catholic school, the governors are the admissions authority. The process is rigorous, and deadlines are strict.

The school is consistently oversubscribed. In the most recent intake, there were 678 applications for 237 offers, a ratio of nearly 3:1. This intense demand means that fulfilling the criteria is essential. Priority is given to:

1. Catholic looked-after children.
2. Catholic children with a Certificate of Catholic Practice.
3. Other Catholic children.
4. Other looked-after children.
5. Members of other Christian denominations (with support from a minister).
6. Children of other faiths (with support from a religious leader).
7. Any other children.

The Supplementary Information Form (SIF)

This is the critical step often missed by external applicants. In addition to the Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF), families applying under faith criteria must complete the Supplementary Information Form (SIF) and return it directly to the school. Failure to do this will result in the application being placed in the lowest category.

Catchment Area

There is no fixed catchment area in terms of distance for the higher priority categories; faithful families travel from across Portsmouth and surrounding areas. However, for lower criteria, distance from the school gate becomes the tie-breaker.

Pastoral care is structured around the House system, which provides a vertical community where older students mentor younger ones. Each student has a Form Tutor who is the first point of contact for parents and the daily anchor for the student.

The school employs a dedicated pastoral team, including non-teaching Heads of House who are available throughout the day to deal with issues as they arise. This ensures that academic staff can focus on teaching while student welfare is managed by specialists.

Safeguarding is a strength, described by inspectors as effective and pervasive. The school takes a proactive approach to mental health, with counselling services available and a curriculum that addresses emotional wellbeing through Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education. The Catholic ethos provides an additional layer of support, with the school chaplaincy offering a listening ear and a quiet space for reflection.

The extracurricular programme is extensive, designed to develop character as much as skill. The school operates on the belief that busy students are happy students.

Sport

Sport is a major pillar of school life. The PE department runs a full fixture list in football, netball, athletics, and basketball. St Edmund's students regularly compete at district and county levels. The sports hall and outdoor courts are buzzing with activity until late afternoon.

Performing Arts

The annual school production is a highlight of the calendar, involving students from all year groups in acting, set design, and technical support. The school choir performs at Mass and local events, and peripatetic music lessons are available for a range of instruments.

Clubs & Societies

Beyond the traditional, the school offers diverse opportunities. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is popular, with high completion rates for Bronze and Silver. Academic clubs such as the STEM Club and Debate Society challenge the most able, while the Chaplaincy Team allows students to take a lead in the spiritual life of the school. The "Eco-Warriors" group leads sustainability initiatives, reflecting the school's commitment to stewardship.

This is a state school with no tuition fees.

Parents are generally expected to fund:

• Uniform: The distinctive bottle green blazer, school tie, and PE kit.
• Trips: Voluntary contributions are requested for educational visits.
• Music Lessons: Peripatetic instrument lessons usually incur a termly charge.

The school uses Pupil Premium funding to support eligible families with these costs, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent full participation in school life.

The school day begins at 8:40am and concludes at 3:05pm, though many students stay later for clubs and intervention sessions. The site is located on Arundel Street, close to Portsmouth city centre, making it highly accessible by public transport. Portsmouth & Southsea and Fratton train stations are both within walking distance, and multiple bus routes serve the area.

There is no on-site parking for parents, and the surrounding streets can be busy. Families are encouraged to use public transport or walk where possible.

Faith commitment expected. The Catholic character is not an optional extra; it is the fabric of the school. All students, regardless of personal belief, are expected to attend Mass, participate in liturgies, and study Religious Education to GCSE level. Families uncomfortable with explicit religious teaching should look elsewhere.

Intense competition. With nearly three applicants for every place, entry is far from guaranteed even for Catholic families living nearby. The oversubscription criteria are applied strictly. Families must have a realistic Plan B.

No Sixth Form. St Edmund's caters for students aged 11-16. This means another transition at the end of Year 11. However, the school has excellent links with local colleges, and students are well-prepared for this move.

St Edmund's Catholic School offers a rigorous, values-led education that delivers outstanding results. It is a school where traditional standards of behaviour and dress combine with high academic aspiration. Best suited to families who value a strong faith-based ethos and want a disciplined environment where their child will be pushed to achieve their best. The main challenge is securing a place.