Brookfield Community School Review 2026: Large, Local, and Lively

Located in Sarisbury Green, just east of the Hamble River, Brookfield Community School is a substantial presence in the local landscape. With a roll approaching 1,800 students, it is significantly larger than the average secondary school. It serves a distinct semi-rural catchment between Southampton and Fareham, acting as a community hub as much as an educational institution.

The sheer scale of the site allows for extensive facilities, yet the school works hard to maintain a cohesive identity. It is a true comprehensive, welcoming students of all abilities and backgrounds, and has established a reputation for balancing academic progress with a broad extracurricular life.

At drop-off, the gates reveal the energy of a large campus. Students move between blocks that span several decades of educational architecture, from 1970s functionalism to modern specialist wings. The atmosphere is purposeful but busy; navigating a school of this size requires confidence, and students generally seem to possess it in spades.

Mr Stuart Parkes has led the school since 2019. His leadership is characterised by a drive for "commitment, participation, involvement and achievement". This ethos underpins the daily interactions between staff and students, creating an environment where effort is valued as highly as attainment.

Despite its size, the school cultivates a sense of belonging through a flourishing House structure. This ensures that younger students are not lost in the crowd but are mentored by older peers, fostering a community feel that contradicts the large student numbers.

Academic performance is a clear strength. In 2024, the school achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.4, indicating that students make above-average progress from their primary school starting points compared to peers across England.

The school ranks 1,293rd in England and 6th in Southampton for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking). This performance sits in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile), reflecting solid achievement across the cohort.

Attainment is notably high. The average Attainment 8 score was 53.6, well above the England average of 45.9. This suggests that high-ability students are stretched, while the broader cohort is supported to achieve strong passes.

The curriculum is broad, leveraging the school's scale to offer options that smaller schools cannot sustain. As a former Language College, the Modern Foreign Languages department remains prominent, with French and Spanish forming a core part of the Key Stage 3 experience.

Teaching tends to be structured and disciplined, necessary in such a large environment. The Key Stage 3 curriculum ensures students have a solid grounding in history, geography, and the arts before narrowing their choices. In Key Stage 4, the options list is extensive, ranging from Computer Science and Triple Science to Photography, 3D Design, and Hospitality.

Admission is via Hampshire County Council. The school is consistently oversubscribed, reflecting its popularity in the local area.

In the most recent intake, the school received 581 applications for 411 places. With a subscription proportion of 1.4 applicants per place, competition is genuine. Demand for places is strong, particularly from families living in Sarisbury Green, Warsash, and Locks Heath. The catchment area is strictly applied, and families moving into the area should verify their priority status with the local authority.

Pastoral care operates on a House system, which breaks the large population down into manageable families. Form tutors are the first point of contact, staying with their groups where possible to build long-term relationships.

The school is proactive regarding mental health, employing dedicated pastoral support workers who are non-teaching staff. This availability means students can access support during lessons without waiting for a teacher to become free. The 2025 Ofsted inspection rated Personal Development as Outstanding, highlighting the exceptional work done to support students' wider growth and safety.

The extracurricular offer is a major beneficiary of the school's size. Sports facilities are extensive, including a 3G pitch, tennis courts, and a large sports hall. The PE department runs a busy fixture list, with teams competing in district and county leagues for football, netball, rugby, and athletics.

The arts are equally well-served. The drama and music departments stage regular productions and concerts, often involving over 100 students. Specific clubs cater to niche interests, from the active Eco-Council to the coding club and debate team. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a massive operation here, with hundreds of students participating in Bronze and Silver expeditions annually.

This is a state-funded community school, so there are no tuition fees.

Families should budget for standard costs such as uniforms, sports kits, and optional school trips. The school runs a cashless catering system for lunches. Financial support, including Free School Meals (FSM), is available for eligible families; parents should apply through Hampshire County Council to access this funding and the associated Pupil Premium support which benefits the school.

The school day runs from 8:30am to 3:00pm. Being a community school, the site is busy into the evening with lettings and clubs.

Transport is a key consideration. Many students walk or cycle from the immediate vicinity, but a significant number travel by bus from the wider catchment. The school is well-served by local bus routes connecting to Fareham and the Western Wards.

Size Matters. With nearly 1,800 students, this is a busy, bustling environment. It offers great variety and resources, but quieter children may initially find the scale overwhelming compared to a small primary school.

No Sixth Form. Brookfield is an 11-16 school. Students must move on after GCSEs. While transition support is excellent, families should be aware that another move will be required at age 16.

Strict Catchment. Popularity has consequences. The catchment area is tight, and living just outside the priority zone often means missing out on a place.

Brookfield Community School uses its size as a strength, offering a breadth of opportunity that smaller schools struggle to match. With above-average progress scores and a vibrant community atmosphere, it delivers a high-quality comprehensive education. Best suited to students who will thrive in a large, energetic environment and make the most of the extensive sporting and creative opportunities on offer. The main challenge is securing a place.