The Portsmouth Academy
St Mary's Road, Portsmouth, PO1 5PFOpen in maps (opens in a new tab)
The Portsmouth Academy is a secondary school in Portsmouth for ages 11 to 16. It is one of the 65 schools in Portsmouth. It ranks 7th of 8 secondary schools in Portsmouth. Its latest Ofsted rating is Good, from an inspection in April 2017.
Ofsted inspection
Inspected 26 April 2017, report published 23 May 2017
- Overall effectiveness
- Good
- Leadership and management
- Outstanding
- Safeguarding
- Met
What Ofsted said
From the inspection on 26 April 2022
Pupils at The Portsmouth Academy feel safe and well cared for. They say that staff do not tolerate bullying. Any instances of bullying are dealt with quickly and efficiently. There is someone to talk to should the need arise. Expectations are understood, but pupils say they are not always applied consistently. Respect is a recent focus for the school. The school was awarded the 'Bronze Rights Respecting School Award' and is now working towards the silver award. Relationships between teachers and pupils are particularly strong. Teachers are knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects, which engages and motivates pupils. The school's curriculum is broad and balanced. New courses have been introduced to broaden the curriculum offer. Extra-curricular activities are extensive and well attended by pupils, including disadvantaged pupils. The school offers a successful Duke of Edinburgh's Award programme. Pupils are actively involved in voluntary service in the community. Pupils support each other very well in school. The provision for careers is particularly strong. The school has exceptional links with industry and commerce. External speakers regularly visit the school to talk about career opportunities. There are productive links with Portsmouth University, and these have been used well to promote the study of languages.
What the school should improve
- The school's curriculum intent and implementation are not yet fully embedded securely across all subjects. This means that further work is needed to ensure that all subjects are as good as the best. Leaders should continue their work to share the very best practice that already exists. They should ensure that curriculum intent and implementation are securely embedded across the school.
- The behaviour of a very small minority of pupils does not live up to leaders' high expectations, and occasionally impacts on the learning of others. Pupils say that expectations are not always applied consistently. Leaders should continue their work to embed the behaviour policy. They should ensure that all pupils show respect and kindness towards others as actively promoted by the school.
Exam results
GCSE results (key stage 4), 2024/25
239 pupils in the year group
Pupil numbers and mix
1,203 pupils on roll, with places for 1,150
Schools near The Portsmouth Academy
| School | Distance | Ofsted | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madani Academy | 0.1 miles | Ofsted: Good | Not published |
| St Edmund's Catholic School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Outstanding | Attainment 8: 58.9 |
| Priory School | 0.6 miles | Ofsted: Good | Attainment 8: 44.7 |
| Miltoncross Academy | 0.7 miles | Ofsted judgements: Requires improvement to good | Attainment 8: 36.3 |
| Ark Charter Academy | 0.8 miles | Ofsted judgements: Good | Attainment 8: 38.9 |
School details
- School type
- Academy sponsor led
- Sector
- Academy
- Trust
- THE THINKING SCHOOLS ACADEMY TRUST
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Gender
- Mixed
- Sixth form
- No
- Headteacher
- Mrs Sarah Dedman
- Phone
- 03333602200
- Address
- St Mary's Road, Portsmouth, PO1 5PF
- Local authority
- Portsmouth
- URN
- 139714
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.