The Portsmouth Academy

When there are more applications than places for 2025-26 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1. 1Looked After Children and previously looked after children — Looked After Children and children who have been previously looked after, but following being looked after became subject to an adoption order, residence order or special guardianship order. These are defined as Looked after Children and all previously looked after children, including those children who appear to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted. Previously looked after children are children who were looked after but ceased to be so because they were adopted or became subject to a child arrangements order or special guardianship order.
2. 2Sibling — Children who, at the time of the admission, have a sibling who attends the Academy. For this purpose, "sibling" means a whole, half or step-sister or brother, or an adopted child resident at the same address. The Academy will also include in this criterion children whose parents are married or cohabiting and live together within the same household. In the case of multiple births or siblings in the same year group, where there is only one place available in the Academy, the other child/children will be offered place above PAN.
3. 3Feeder school – Penbridge Junior School — Children who attend Penbridge Junior School (part of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust).
4. 4Feeder schools – New Horizons Primary School and Meon Way Federation — Children who attend New Horizons Primary School and Meon Way Federation (schools who are part of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust).
5. 5Children of staff – demonstrable skill shortage — Children of staff at the school where there is a demonstrable skill shortage - priority will be given to the children of members of staff if the staff member is filling a post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage. TSAT will be required to approve the Principal's designation of such posts and confirm the assessment that a member of staff appointed meets the requirements of the shortage.
6. 6Children of staff – two or more years employed — Children of staff at the school: priority will be given to the child of a person who has been employed in the Academy for two or more years at the time the application is made.
7. 7Medical, physical, psychological or social need — Children or families who have a significant medical, physical, psychological or social need. Evidence must be attached with the application. Applications under this criterion must be supported by written evidence from an appropriate professional person involved stating clearly why the preferred school is the most appropriate for the child and reasons why other schools in the city are inappropriate.
8. 8Children eligible for service premium — Children eligible for service premium. Note - service premium is paid to eligible children of armed services personnel under S14 of the Education Act 2002.
9. 9Distance — Children who live closest to the school. Distance will be based on the shortest distance from home to school, measured in a straight line, using the LA Geographical Information System. Should there be two or more identical distances requiring prioritisation, this will be done by casting lots by an independent party such as the LA Admissions Team.

If two applications tie: Should there be two or more identical distances requiring prioritisation, this will be done by casting lots by an independent party such as the LA Admissions Team.

Where the Academy is named on a student's Statement of Special Educational Needs or Statutory Education, Health and Care Plan, the student will be admitted by the Academy, prior to the oversubscription criteria applying. The policy references the Portsmouth City Council's Co-ordinated Admissions Scheme 2025-2026.

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.