Ofsted: Good trending_up Popular emoji_events #6 in Southampton public Top 29% UK

Bitterne Park School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

personMr Stewart Roderick

corporate_fareReach Cooperative Trust

location_onSouthampton, SO18 1BU

language Visit Website phone 2380325200

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

2,020

trending_up

Attainment 8

43.1

leaderboard

GCSE Rank

#6 in Southampton

#2,072 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Bitterne Park School is a Foundation school secondary school in Southampton, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted. Demand is above capacity (1.1×) — apply through your local authority on time.

article

School Summary

Bitterne Park School is a foundation school in Southampton, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of Reach Cooperative Trust. The school has approximately 2,015 pupils on roll, of whom 30% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 43.1, placing the school #6 in Southampton and #2,072 of 3,216 nationally. 35.60% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 18.9% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 18 A-level subjects. 26.0% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 11.7% at A*–A. A-level value added: -0.53 — students made below-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. The school's current overall rating is Good. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.1× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 14.8:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 9.6 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

analytics

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2025

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

43.1

Grade 5+ E&M

35.60%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)18.9%

Entering EBacc40.10%

EBacc APS3.8

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.19

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc44.70%

EBacc APS3.95

2023

Progress 8 Score

-0.48

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

43.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc21%

EBacc APS3.58

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.12

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc21%

EBacc APS4.15

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc15%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.08

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

50.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc21%

EBacc APS4.37

2018

Progress 8 Score

-0.05

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc35%

EBacc APS4.23

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)87%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)87%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)87%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment6%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)91%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)89%

Apprenticeships3%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)4%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

-0.53

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make below-expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C-

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*2.6%

Achieving A*–A11.7%

Achieving A*–B26.0%

VA Banding Below average

Retention rate96.7%

A-level subjects offered18

2024

A-Level Value Added

+0.25

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate92.90%

2023

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate97.10%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate83.8%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

08 May 2024

Inspection Report

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17 January 2023

Inspection Report

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29 November 2017

Inspection Report

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10 July 2017

Inspection Report

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10 June 2014

Inspection Report

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19 January 2010

Inspection Report

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29 January 2009

Inspection Report

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03 December 2007

Inspection Report

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08 March 2006

Inspection Report

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30 April 2001

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2024-05-08

S5 Inspection EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

2017-11-29

Maintained Academy and School Short inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2017-07-10

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2014-06-10

None Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Outstanding

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

gavel

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

9.2%per term

warning Above Average

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

5.1%(103 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 2,015 pupils. During this period, there were 186 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 9.2%, which is above the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	2,015	186	9.2%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	2,017	203	10.1%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	2,007	196	9.8%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	2,002	230	11.5%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	2,003	287	14.3%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	2,014	191	9.5%	6.6%	2
2022/23 (Spring term)	2,020	202	10.0%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	2,019	248	12.3%	5.9%	6
2021/22 (Summer term)	2,021	109	5.4%	4.7%	2
2021/22 (Spring term)	2,031	129	6.4%	4.9%	1
2021/22 (Autumn term)	2,032	117	5.8%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,995	44	2.2%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,990	12	0.6%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,990	51	2.6%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,884	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,884	37	2.0%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,885	43	2.3%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,747	23	1.3%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,752	40	2.3%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,757	21	1.2%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	1,667	24	1.4%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	1,669	15	0.9%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	1,670	18	1.1%	3.7%	1
2016/17 (Summer term)	1,610	36	2.2%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	1,616	32	2.0%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	1,623	34	2.1%	3.1%	3

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 149 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 115 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 70 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 67 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 52 pupils

Physical Disability 9 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 6 pupils

Hearing Impairment 2 pupils

Visual Impairment 2 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

75.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

74.0%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

19.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree18%

agree44%

disagree24%

strongly disagree9%

don't know5%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree16%

agree44%

disagree26%

strongly disagree9%

don't know5%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree30%

agree25%

disagree15%

strongly disagree11%

don't know3%

not applicable16%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes28%

no72%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree31%

agree25%

disagree21%

strongly disagree21%

dont know1%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree31%

agree46%

disagree12%

strongly disagree4%

don't know6%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree33%

agree44%

disagree12%

strongly disagree8%

don't know3%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree33%

agree44%

disagree16%

strongly disagree4%

don't know2%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree49%

agree49%

disagree1%

strongly disagree1%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree46%

agree45%

disagree3%

strongly disagree2%

don't know5%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree30%

agree38%

disagree18%

strongly disagree7%

don't know7%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes69%

no31%

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Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Southampton

Saint George Catholic Voluntary Aided College Southampton

St Anne's Catholic School

Cantell School

Upper Shirley High School

Oasis Academy Sholing

Oasis Academy Mayfield