Portsmouth City Council has a statutory duty to provide sufficient school places for resident children and is committed to working with schools, academies and multi-academy trusts for the benefit of children and young people in Portsmouth.

Primary school places

The number of children starting school in Portsmouth has declined in recent years and there is a significant surplus of places for infant-aged pupils. Detailed analysis and forecasting have confirmed that by 2027/28 there will over 15% surplus places in all primary school year groups. The surplus capacity is likely to be concentrated in some parts of the city and housing development could give rise to localised pressure on primary school places. Potential housing development schemes will be closely monitored to assess progress.

In line with the Portsmouth School Place Planning Strategy 2024-29, the council is working with schools in the areas with the highest proportions of surplus places to manage the supply of places and ensure that schools remain viable.

Secondary school places

Detailed analysis and forecasting have confirmed that the number of pupils requiring secondary school places will continue to rise until 2027/28, placing pressure on school place capacity. In line with the forecast reduction in primary numbers, secondary numbers are forecast to fall from 2028/29, providing surplus capacity, but this position could alter if there were significant housing development in the intervening period.

Capacity has already been permanently increased at Trafalgar School, Admiral Lord Nelson School, Charter Academy, The Portsmouth Academy, Springfield School and St Edmund’s Catholic School. Additional temporary increases in places are being facilitated at Charter, St Edmund’s, Priory and Trafalgar to address the anticipated pressure from 2024/25 to 2027/28. Expansion plans will need to ensure that space can be used flexibly and put to other uses when secondary numbers fall, and surplus capacity is available in future years.

Special educational needs and disability (SEND) provision

There is a statutory duty to provide suitable education for pupils with an EHCP and for early years’ children entitled to ‘free early education’. The Portsmouth School Place Planning Strategy 2024-29 focuses on an inclusive education, with mainstream schools and early years’ settings being the first option considered for all but those with the most severe, complex and long-term educational needs and the most profoundly disabled children.

Following a strategic SEND review of accommodation, additional special school places have been created at the Lantern Unit (part of Mary Rose Academy) and at Cliffdale Primary Academy. Inclusion centres have also been established at Arundel Court School, Penhale Infant School and The Portsmouth Academy, with additional places added at The Flying Bull Academy. In addition, we opened The Wymering Special School for pupils aged 9 to 16 years of age who have social communication and interaction difficulties, associated speech, language and communication difficulties and high levels of anxiety and/or associated challenging and distressed behaviour.

National and local data is showing a continued rise in children and young people who are being identified with additional needs. We remain committed to providing and expanding our local provision and offers to meet demand.