Cantell School

  • Secondary
  • Local authority maintained
  • Ages 11 to 16
Ofsted: Outstanding

Violet Road, Bassett, Southampton, SO16 3GJOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)

Cantell School is a secondary school in Southampton for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 84 schools in Southampton. It ranks 3rd of 20 secondary schools in Southampton. Its latest Ofsted rating is Outstanding, from an inspection in March 2024.

Ofsted inspection

Inspected 26 March 2024, report published 13 May 2024

Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
Safeguarding
Met

What Ofsted said

From the inspection on 26 March 2024

Pupils are exceptionally proud to be part of the 'Cantell family'. They thrive in this diverse and inclusive school. Pupils value the school's positive ethos, as exemplified by the 'Cantell Cs' of challenge, cooperation, courtesy, commitment and creativity. Pupils develop strong positive friendships with each other. They understand that everyone is different and all have a part to play in society. Pupils seize every opportunity to participate in the vast range of clubs, trips and visits on offer in the school and the wider community. Pupils spoke warmly about how there was something for everyone to get involved in during the recent production of 'Oliver', from acting to building the scenery. Pupils are notably proud of others' achievements. As one pupil said, 'This school encourages us to believe we can succeed.' Pupils' behaviour is exemplary. They show high levels of respect for all staff. This is because pupils know that staff want them to be happy and safe. Should any pupil need extra support to manage their behaviour, leaders make sure they get it. The curriculum is ambitious, demonstrating the school's very high expectations of all pupils' learning. Consequently, pupils, including those who speak English as an additional language and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, achieve strong outcomes.

Exam results

GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25

248 pupils in the year group

Attainment 8 score46.9

46.9, 0.8 above the England average of 46.1.

Grade 5 or above in English and maths49.2%

49.2%, 3.8 percentage points above the England average of 45.4%.

Grade 4 or above in English and maths64.5%

64.5%, 0.3 percentage points below the England average of 64.8%.

Pupils entering the EBacc36.3%

36.3%, 4.2 percentage points below the England average of 40.5%.

EBacc average point score4.16

4.16, 0.07 above the England average of 4.09.

Pupil numbers and mix

1,313 pupils on roll, with places for 1,250

Eligible for free school meals44%

44%, 17.5 percentage points above the England average of 26.5%.

English as an additional language41%

41%, 19.4 percentage points above the England average of 21.6%.

Special educational needs support18%

18%, 3.2 percentage points above the England average of 14.8%.

Education, health and care plan5%

5%, 1 percentage points below the England average of 6%.

Schools near Cantell School

SchoolDistanceOfstedResults
Saint George Catholic Voluntary Aided College Southampton0.8 milesOfsted: OutstandingAttainment 8: 60.0
Richard Taunton Sixth Form College1 mileNo Ofsted inspectionNot published
Upper Shirley High School1 mileOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 47.0
King Edward VI School2 milesNo Ofsted inspectionAttainment 8: 15.9
Bitterne Park School2 milesOfsted: GoodAttainment 8: 43.1

School details

School type
Foundation school
Sector
Local authority maintained
Trust
Aspire Community Trust
Age range
11 to 16
Gender
Mixed
Sixth form
No
Headteacher
Mr Harry Kutty
Address
Violet Road, Bassett, Southampton, SO16 3GJ
Local authority
Southampton
URN
116469

School details from Get Information about Schools, 17 September 2026. Ofsted outcomes published to 31 August 2026. Exam results for 2024/25 from the Department for Education. Pupil mix from the school census, 2025/26.