Weston Secondary School, Southampton

Ofsted's report card from its 30 June 2026 inspection grades Weston Secondary School on 6 areas: 4 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.

Curriculum and teaching - Expected standard. "Leaders have a precise understanding of the quality of teaching."

Inclusion - Expected standard. "This is an inclusive school where leaders are always striving to help vulnerable pupils to succeed."

Leadership and governance - Expected standard. "Leaders, at all levels, are tenacious and lead with moral purpose."

Personal development and wellbeing - Expected standard. "Leaders have designed an engaging personal development programme that prepares pupils well for life in modern Britain."

Achievement - Needs attention. "Over time, many pupils do not achieve as well as they should in national tests and examinations."

Attendance and behaviour - Needs attention. "Many pupils, including many who are disadvantaged, do not attend school as often as they should."

Safeguarding standards were met.

Ofsted's next steps for the school: "Leaders must continue strengthening the attendance strategy to improve the attendance of all pupils, with a particular focus on reducing persistent absence for the most vulnerable pupils"; "Leaders must ensure pupils achieve consistently well across the curriculum so that they are well prepared for the next steps in their education, employment or training"; "Leaders should ensure that staff's use of assessment is consistently precise, so that any misconceptions or gaps in pupils' understanding are remedied swiftly".

In its own words: "At Weston our vision is to cultivate a diverse student community characterised by high aspirations and a commitment to personal development. Upholding our values, we aim to provide an enriching curriculum and exceptional teaching that empowers our students to believe in themselves and embrace the courage to pursue their dreams fearlessly."

From the headteacher's welcome: "I am incredibly proud to be the Headteacher of Weston Secondary School, a thriving 11-16 school located in the heart of the community on the edge of Southampton. Weston is a rapidly improving school which provides a safe environment for students to learn, develop and succeed."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include debating and Duke of Edinburgh.

In 2026, pupils at Weston Secondary School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 30.3, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 41.1 in Southampton and 47 across England.

20% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 37% in Southampton and 47% in England.

That is in line with 2025, when the score was 31.1.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.71: pupils made well below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 28.1, against 35.4 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 7.3 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 22 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were Combined Science, Business Studies and Geography.

For September 2026 entry, 70 families put Weston Secondary School as their first choice and 130 named it as one of their preferences, for 116 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to Weston Secondary School are Oasis Academy Mayfield (0.6 miles, Good, Attainment 8 38.3); Oasis Academy Sholing (1.2 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 40.9); The Hamble School (1.7 miles, Requires improvement, Attainment 8 48.1); and Woodlands Community College (2.3 miles, Good, Attainment 8 31.6).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than Weston Secondary School.

Weston Secondary School is one of 37 schools run by Hamwic Education Trust, an academy trust.

Of the 156 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 82% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 21% to a further education college, 1% to an apprenticeship and 1% into work.

61.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 39.8% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (49%), Asian (13%) and Black (10%).

The nearest railway station is Sholing Rail Station, about 1030 metres away (roughly a 13-minute walk).

3 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Winchfield Close (sw-bound), 120 metres away.

In 2024/25, Weston Secondary School issued 653 suspensions, 88.5 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 1 permanent exclusion.

The primary schools closest to Weston Secondary School are Weston Park Primary School (0.3 miles), Weston Shore Infant School (0.3 miles), Netley Abbey Infant School (0.8 miles) and Netley Abbey Junior School (0.8 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.