Richard Taunton Sixth Form College, Southampton
Data last updated 11 Sept 2026
Key Information
DfE GIASOfsted Rating
Ofsted · 8 months agoReport card - no overall grade (new Ofsted framework from Sep 2024)
Ofsted Insights
What This School Does Well
Richard Taunton creates a highly inclusive environment where all learners feel they belong, with tailored support from the start including help with childcare and specialist equipment. Teachers are well-trained and typically teach well, using creative techniques and effective assessment to help students understand and improve. The college works closely with employers and local partners to ensure courses are relevant and prepare learners well for their next steps.
Key Strengths
- Strong inclusive culture where learners from diverse backgrounds quickly feel they belong
- Well-planned curriculum that builds knowledge and skills in a logical order
- Effective teaching practices with staff using subject expertise to explain concepts clearly
- Tailored support for learners with additional needs, including specialist equipment and training
- Careful monitoring of teaching quality leading to more consistent classroom practice
Areas for Improvement
- Achievement rates remain too low in most vocational and academic subjects, with too many learners not achieving the grades they are capable of
- Attendance is too low across both young people and adult learners, limiting the impact of support measures
- Course completion rates are too low, though leaders have focused on improving retention
- Outcomes for A levels and applied general qualifications remain below expectations
- Achievement for learners with high needs relative to their peers is not yet strong enough
Safeguarding
Safeguarding standards are met - leaders and governors have established an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and concerns are actively identified and acted upon.
Extracurricular Activities
Masterclasses, industry placements, employer talks, work-related learning opportunities, performing arts major project performances
Richard Taunton Sixth Form College is an inclusive college with a clear vision and ambitious strategic plan that reflects its highly inclusive core values. The college offers a suitable balance of vocational, academic and technical education aligned with learners' needs and local skills gaps.
At a Glance
0.0%
Free School Meals
No
Boarding
No
Nursery
Yes
Sixth Form
No
Special Measures
Sixth Form Performance (A-Level)
A-Level Results
D
Average grade
21.5
Points per entry
D
Best 3 A-Levels
3%
Achieving AAB+
Below average
Value added
76
A-Level students
78%
Retention rate
2024/25 academic year
A-Level Subjects Offered
+ 15 more subjects
2024/25 academic year - entries by number of students
After A-Levels - Leaver Destinations
After A-Levels (Year 13) - 326 students
202223 data
University & Higher Education Destinations
8%
Top-third university
44%
Degree course
45%
Any L4+ destination
0%
Apprenticeships
Based on 240 students completing 16-18 study
2021/22 cohort - "Top-third" = most selective third of UK universities by student intake
Getting There
Bus Stops
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Capacity & Demand
Area Demand Pressure - Southampton
Based on MHCLG housing supply data for Southampton
Admissions Demand - Southampton
Places available
2,570
Applications
2,524
Got 1st preference
82.9%
Got preferred school
93.3%
Secondary admissions across Southampton (2025/26)
Inspection History(5)
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