Portsmouth school admissions

For a September 2027 start, secondary applications close on 31 Oct 2026 and primary applications on 15 Jan 2027. Always confirm details on the council's own admissions page.

How to apply

Apply online through the council where you live, naming several schools in order of preference — including schools in other council areas. Every preference is considered equally against each school's admission criteria, and you're offered the highest-ranked school that can offer you a place.

We haven't yet confirmed the council's admissions page link.

GOV.UK: School admissions

Key dates for September 2027

Secondary applications close	31 Oct 2026	School Admissions Code 2021, para 2.24
Primary (reception) applications close	15 Jan 2027	School Admissions Code 2021, para 2.24
Secondary national offer day	1 Mar 2027	1 March or next working day
Primary national offer day	16 Apr 2027	16 April or next working day

Appeals

The council hasn't published a single appeal date we've confirmed. By law you must have at least 20 school days from the date of your refusal letter.

Source: School Admissions Code and School Admission Appeals Code (Open Government Licence v3.0).

Applications and offers by school, 2026/27

Catchment areas and admission decisions are made by the school's admissions authority (the local council or, for academies and many faith schools, the school or trust). Distances and past figures don't guarantee a place.

Secondary schools (10)

School	Places offered	All applications	First preferences	First preferences offered	Applications per offer
Admiral Lord Nelson School	248	792	288	233	3.2 per offer
Ark Charter Academy	180	377	133	131	2.1 per offer
Castle View Academy	129	207	119	119	1.6 per offer
Mayfield School	110	415	114	96	3.8 per offer
Miltoncross Academy	200	408	124	124	2.0 per offer
Priory School	264	751	320	246	2.8 per offer
Springfield School	225	413	207	207	1.8 per offer
St Edmund's Catholic School	238	700	416	234	2.9 per offer
The Portsmouth Academy	212	409	117	117	1.9 per offer
Trafalgar School	224	650	192	189	2.9 per offer

Primary schools (37)

School	Places offered	All applications	First preferences	First preferences offered	Applications per offer
Ark Ayrton Primary Academy	58	133	53	53	2.3 per offer
Ark Dickens Primary Academy	37	94	34	34	2.5 per offer
Arundel Court Primary Academy and Nursery	74	155	69	69	2.1 per offer
Beacon View Primary Academy	22	44	21	21	2.0 per offer
Bramble Infant School and Nursery	38	127	33	33	3.3 per offer
Copnor Primary School	90	216	89	82	2.4 per offer
Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School	45	91	44	44	2.0 per offer
Cottage Grove Primary School and Nursery	58	93	53	53	1.6 per offer
Court Lane Infant Academy	113	242	101	101	2.1 per offer
Cumberland Infant School	60	168	69	60	2.8 per offer
Devonshire Infant School	47	137	44	44	2.9 per offer
Gatcombe Park Primary School	29	88	30	28	3.0 per offer
Highbury Primary School	60	106	68	60	1.8 per offer
King's Academy College Park (Infant)	77	185	71	71	2.4 per offer
King's Academy Northern Parade (Infant)	57	127	54	54	2.2 per offer
Langstone Primary Academy	90	176	105	84	2.0 per offer
Manor Infant and Nursery School	40	88	37	37	2.2 per offer
Mayfield School	39	128	38	38	3.3 per offer
Medina Primary School	25	62	21	21	2.5 per offer
Meon Infant School	39	99	35	35	2.5 per offer
Milton Park Primary School	34	104	31	31	3.1 per offer
Moorings Way Infant School	30	102	31	28	3.4 per offer
New Horizons Primary School	60	119	62	59	2.0 per offer
Penbridge Infant School	46	98	40	39	2.1 per offer
Portsdown Primary School	28	53	26	26	1.9 per offer
Solent Infant School	90	205	102	87	2.3 per offer
Southsea Infant School	29	153	22	22	5.3 per offer
St George's Beneficial Church of England (Voluntary Controlled) Primary School	27	37	25	25	1.4 per offer
St John's Cathedral Catholic Primary School	30	108	47	30	3.6 per offer
St Jude's CofE Primary School	60	112	58	54	1.9 per offer
St Paul's Catholic Primary School	30	48	30	29	1.6 per offer
St Swithun's Catholic Primary School	45	98	55	44	2.2 per offer
Stamshaw Infant Academy	79	140	77	77	1.8 per offer
The Flying Bull Academy	34	69	32	32	2.0 per offer
The Victory Primary School	29	63	31	28	2.2 per offer
Westover Primary School	30	109	37	26	3.6 per offer
Wimborne Primary School	70	209	72	67	3.0 per offer

Source: DfE secondary and primary school applications and offers (Open Government Licence v3.0).

Portsmouth term dates · Check schools near a postcode

Questions

When is the Portsmouth secondary school application deadline?

31 October for a September start, set nationally by the School Admissions Code. Late applications are usually considered only after on-time ones.

How long do I have to appeal?

Admission authorities must give you at least 20 school days from the date of your refusal letter (usually offer day). Many councils publish a specific date — use the council's date where shown.

Does this page tell me my chance of getting a place?

No. Places depend on each school's oversubscription criteria, which change every year. Only the admissions authority decides.