St Swithun's Catholic Primary School
Taswell Road, Southsea, PO5 2RGOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
St Swithun's Catholic Primary School is a primary school in Southsea for ages 2 to 11. It is one of the 65 schools in Portsmouth. It ranks 7th of 32 primary schools in Portsmouth. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in February 2016.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 3 February 2016, report published 19 February 2016
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Good
- Early years provision
- Good
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 25 February 2025
Pupils thrive in this happy and welcoming school. They behave exceptionally well and show consistently high levels of respect towards each other and staff. The St Swithun's mission, 'love one another as I have loved you', can be seen being lived out through the actions of the whole school community. Pupils settle quickly whenever they join. Throughout the school adults engage pupils in high-quality interactions and involve them in meaningful learning experiences. Independence and resilience are nurtured. When pupils or families need help, it is given with sensitivity. Staff have high expectations and expect pupils to work hard. From the beginning of their journey in the school, pupils enthusiastically rise to meet these expectations and enjoy their learning. The vast majority of pupils are well prepared for the next stage of education because they build secure knowledge in many areas of the curriculum. The school provides rich personal development opportunities, including cultural activities, trips, sporting events and many clubs. Pupils enjoy these and take part enthusiastically. The school has a well-established pastoral system that ensures pupils are safe and feel safe. As one pupil said, 'We know we are cared for here.'
What the school should improve
- Teachers do not consistently use information gained when checking pupils' understanding. This effects how some pupils build knowledge over time, particularly in the wider curriculum subjects. The school should ensure that it supports teachers to adjust activities and their teaching appropriately so that pupils learn as well as the school intends them to.
Exam results
SATs results (key stage 2), 2024/25
45 pupils took the tests
Pupil numbers and mix
351 pupils on roll, with places for 351
Schools near St Swithun's Catholic Primary School
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southsea Infant School | 0.2 miles | Report card: Needs attention to expected standard | Not published |
| Craneswater Junior School | 0.4 miles | Ofsted: Good | 53% met the expected standard |
| Bramble Infant School and Nursery | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| Cottage Grove Primary School and Nursery | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Requires improvement | 53% met the expected standard |
| Devonshire Infant School | 0.8 miles | Report card: Expected standard | Not published |
School details
- School type
- Voluntary aided school
- Sector
- Local authority maintained
- Age range
- 2 to 11
- Gender
- Mixed
- Religious character
- Roman Catholic
- Nursery classes
- Yes
- Headteacher
- Mrs Jennifer Verhiest
- Phone
- 02392829339
- Address
- Taswell Road, Southsea, PO5 2RG
- Local authority
- Portsmouth
- URN
- 116386
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.