Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, Southampton

Ofsted's report card from its 14 January 2026 inspection grades Richard Taunton Sixth Form College on 5 areas: 3 expected standard and 2 needs attention. Report cards replaced single-word judgements in November 2025, on a five-point scale from exceptional to urgent improvement.

Inclusion - Expected standard. "Leaders create a highly inclusive culture through their policies, systems and everyday practices."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders and governors have a clear vision for the college."

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders and managers plan the curriculum carefully so that learners acquire new knowledge and skills in a logical order."

Achievement - Needs attention. "In most vocational and academic subjects, learners do not make enough progress from their starting points."

Participation and development - Needs attention. "Leaders have identified that attendance is too low."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "• Leaders should further strengthen teaching on vocational and academic level 3 courses so that students gain grades that reflect expected progress against their starting points. • Leaders should continue to implement measures that improve the proportion of learners that remain on their courses. • Leaders should make sure that staff apply policies and procedures consistently well so that attendance improves across all provision types. • Leaders should continue their work to reduce the achievement gap between learners with high needs and their peers".

From the headteacher's welcome: "Welcome to Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, where every student finds their voice, and ambition starts. Here, we challenge you to discover your strengths and create your unique path. Providing you with the tools, guidance, and support to help you go beyond your limits and reach your goals."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include football, netball, cricket, basketball, chess, Lego, STEM, gardening, art and debating.

Coming up: an open evening on Wednesday 21 April 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

Richard Taunton Sixth Form College is one of 2 schools run by Lighthouse Learning Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 313 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 24% went on to university or other higher education, 3% to apprenticeships and 34% into work. 5% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

The nearest railway station is Millbrook (Hants) Rail Station, about 1.3 miles away in a straight line.

8 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Richard Taunton College (e-bound), 90 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood Richard Taunton Sixth Form College stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 551 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Southampton (352), as is usual near a town centre.