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catchment.school

The Portsmouth Academy Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

The Portsmouth Academy is an academy sponsor led secondary school in Portsmouth , serving pupils aged 11-16, with 1243 pupils, and a capacity of 1150 places. The school is currently at or above capacity, making catchment area proximity important for admissions.

11-16

Age range

1,243

Pupils

1,150

Capacity

108%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2017

The Portsmouth Academy Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for The Portsmouth Academy?

The catchment area for The Portsmouth Academy is the geographic zone Portsmouth uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Portsmouth publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, The Portsmouth Academy sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with Portsmouth. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

Currently oversubscribed: 1243 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1150 places. Living within the catchment area is especially important for this school.

Not getting a place? Learn how to appeal a school place →

Want the cut-off distance before you apply? Get an alert when Portsmouth publishes the 2027 The Portsmouth Academy numbers →

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by Portsmouth before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find Portsmouth catchment area documents →

The Portsmouth Academy: at or above its 1150 place limit

The Portsmouth Academy has a published admission number of 1150 places. 1243 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 108%. The school is at or above its published limit of 1150 places. Portsmouth allocates places using ranked criteria: looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment distance. The last-distance figure is likely to remain tight if demand holds at this level.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 52.9% of pupils at The Portsmouth Academy are eligible for free school meals, above the national average of around 24%. This reflects the school's role in a higher-deprivation area of Portsmouth.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

Portsmouth publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Find Portsmouth school admissions →

The Portsmouth Academy: School Information

Full address
St Mary's Road, Portsmouth, PO1 5PF
Local authority
Portsmouth
School type
Academy sponsor led
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-16 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
52.9% of pupils
DfE URN
139714

Other Secondary Schools in Portsmouth

If The Portsmouth Academy is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Portsmouth are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to The Portsmouth Academy by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: The Portsmouth Academy

What is the catchment area for The Portsmouth Academy?

The catchment area for The Portsmouth Academy is the geographic zone Portsmouth uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. Portsmouth publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is The Portsmouth Academy oversubscribed?

Yes, The Portsmouth Academy currently has 1243 pupils enrolled against a capacity of 1150 places. Catchment area proximity is an important admissions criterion when applying.

What is the admissions policy for The Portsmouth Academy?

Admission to The Portsmouth Academy is managed by Portsmouth. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does The Portsmouth Academy cover?

The Portsmouth Academy is a secondary school in Portsmouth, serving pupils aged 11-16. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for The Portsmouth Academy?

The Portsmouth Academy was rated Good by Ofsted in 2017. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

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