Ofsted: Outstanding trending_up Popular emoji_events #3 in Southampton public Top 20% UK

Cantell School

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

personMr Harry Kutty

corporate_fareAspire Community Trust

location_onSouthampton, SO16 3GJ

language Visit Website phone 2380323111

verified

Ofsted

Outstanding

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

1,241

trending_up

Attainment 8

46.9

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GCSE Rank

#4 in Southampton

#1,381 of 3,216 nationally

summarize

Cantell School is a Foundation school secondary school in Southampton, serving ages 11-16. Rated Outstanding by Ofsted — the highest possible grade. Demand is above capacity (1.2×) — apply through your local authority on time.

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School Summary

Cantell School is a foundation school in Southampton, admitting pupils aged 11-16. It is part of Aspire Community Trust. The school has approximately 1,288 pupils on roll, of whom 43% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2025, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 46.9, placing the school #4 in Southampton and #1,381 of 3,216 nationally. 49.20% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 21.8% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

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

The school is oversubscribed — in the most recent cycle, there were 1.2× as many applications as places, making a successful application competitive.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 15.1:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 2 permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 5.6 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

46.9

Grade 5+ E&M

49.20%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)21.8%

Entering EBacc36.30%

EBacc APS4.16

2024

Progress 8 Score

0.21

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.6

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc21.70%

EBacc APS3.85

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.09

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc15%

EBacc APS3.79

2022

Progress 8 Score

0.45

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

47.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc26%

EBacc APS4.11

2021

Progress 8 Score

Attainment 8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc23%

EBacc APS-

2019

Progress 8 Score

0.34

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

47.1

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc41%

EBacc APS4.14

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.07

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.5

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc37%

EBacc APS3.71

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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

87%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)83%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)9%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

91%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)8%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

86%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)82%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)10%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

90%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)88%

Apprenticeships1%

Employment1%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)9%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

85%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)80%

Apprenticeships2%

Employment4%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)10%

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

26 March 2024

Inspection Report

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02 February 2023

Inspection Report

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26 September 2017

Inspection Report

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21 November 2013

Inspection Report

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22 February 2012

Inspection Report

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04 February 2010

Inspection Report

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23 September 2008

Inspection Report

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07 June 2006

Inspection Report

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01 March 2006

Inspection Report

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07 December 2005

Inspection Report

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04 July 2005

Inspection Report

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27 September 2004

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

4 Evaluations

2024-03-26

S5 Inspection EIF

Outstanding

Education

Outstanding

Behaviour

Outstanding

Development

Outstanding

Leadership

Outstanding

2017-09-26

None Legacy

No Judgement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

Development

Leadership

2013-11-21

S5 Inspection Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

2012-02-22

None EIF

Requires improvement

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

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

5.7%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

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

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

4.0%(51 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 1,288 pupils. During this period, there were 73 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 5.7%, which is below 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)	1,288	73	5.7%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	1,284	72	5.6%	7.8%	2
2023/24 (Summer term)	1,269	51	4.0%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	1,268	36	2.8%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	1,262	77	6.1%	8.2%	5
2022/23 (Summer term)	1,248	54	4.3%	6.6%	1
2022/23 (Spring term)	1,241	46	3.7%	6.4%	1
2022/23 (Autumn term)	1,237	52	4.2%	5.9%	1
2021/22 (Summer term)	1,209	32	2.6%	4.7%	2
2021/22 (Spring term)	1,200	32	2.7%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	1,207	33	2.7%	4.4%	1
2020/21 (Summer term)	1,170	23	2.0%	3.6%	1
2020/21 (Spring term)	1,169	2	0.2%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	1,167	29	2.5%	3.9%	1
2019/20 (Summer term)	1,118	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	1,118	14	1.3%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	1,119	35	3.1%	4.2%	3
2018/19 (Summer term)	1,060	17	1.6%	3.1%	1
2018/19 (Spring term)	1,056	21	2.0%	3.8%	1
2018/19 (Autumn term)	1,049	33	3.1%	3.8%	1
2017/18 (Summer term)	967	17	1.8%	3.4%	1
2017/18 (Spring term)	958	22	2.3%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	963	27	2.8%	3.7%	0
2016/17 (Summer term)	930	22	2.4%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	921	26	2.8%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	921	13	1.4%	3.1%	0

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 71 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 62 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 53 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 38 pupils

Specific Learning Difficulty 36 pupils

Visual Impairment 10 pupils

Hearing Impairment 6 pupils

Physical Disability 6 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 2 pupils

health_and_safety

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.

91.0%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

89.0%Positive

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

28.0%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree60%

agree31%

disagree4%

strongly disagree3%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree57%

agree30%

disagree6%

strongly disagree4%

don't know4%

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

strongly agree59%

agree9%

disagree4%

strongly disagree5%

don't know1%

not applicable22%

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

yes29%

no71%

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

strongly agree49%

agree33%

disagree6%

strongly disagree10%

dont know2%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree71%

agree20%

disagree4%

strongly disagree3%

don't know2%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree67%

agree24%

disagree5%

strongly disagree4%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree73%

agree20%

disagree4%

strongly disagree3%

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

strongly agree82%

agree15%

disagree1%

strongly disagree1%

don't know1%

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

strongly agree86%

agree11%

disagree2%

don't know1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree73%

agree17%

disagree3%

strongly disagree5%

don't know2%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes90%

no10%

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Good

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Requires improvement

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Good

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Good

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School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

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

Upper Shirley High School

Oasis Academy Sholing

Bitterne Park School

Oasis Academy Mayfield