What did Ofsted judge Cantell School's overall effectiveness to be?

Ofsted judged Cantell School's overall effectiveness as Outstanding at its inspection in March 2024, on Ofsted's own scale.

How many pupils attend Cantell School?

Cantell School has 1,313 pupils on roll.

What ages does Cantell School take?

Cantell School admits pupils aged 11 to 16.

Where is Cantell School located?

Cantell School is located in Southampton, SO16 3GJ, Southampton.

How do I apply to Cantell School?

Cantell School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.

How close do you need to live to get into Cantell School?

On offer day for 2026-27 (Year 7), the furthest place offered at Cantell School was 2.519 miles from the school. That is the distance the last place reached in one year, not a boundary and not a guarantee — it moves with the number of applicants.

How are Year 7 places decided at Cantell School?

When Cantell School has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after children / previously looked after children — Children in public care (looked after children) and previously looked after children as defined in paragraph 1.7 of the School Admissions Code 2021 which states: Previously looked after children are children who were looked after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to child arrangements order or special guardianship order); 2. Child Protection Plan — Children subject to a Child Protection Plan; 3. Siblings — Children who have a sibling already on roll at Cantell School who will continue to attend the following year, and 4 further criteria. The school offers 250 places at this entry point. Tie-break: Should there be two or more identical distances requiring prioritisation, this will be done by casting lots. Lots will be drawn by the Education Lead, Southampton City Council, independent from the school.

What is the largest ethnic background at Cantell School?

According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 32.2% of pupils at Cantell School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Cantell School: Ofsted, Results & Catchment 2026

School AtlasSouthampton

Southampton

School AtlasSouthampton

Southampton

How close did you need to live?

2.519miles

was the furthest place offered on offer day for 2026-27 (Year 7). That is how far the last place reached in ONE year — not a boundary, and not a guarantee. It moves with the number of applicants, so treat it as a guide rather than a line on a map.

Last distance offered at Cantell School, year by year →

How places are decided at Cantell School

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked after children / previously looked after children — Children in public care (looked after children) and previously looked after children as defined in paragraph 1.7 of the School Admissions Code 2021 which states: Previously looked after children are children who were looked after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to child arrangements order or special guardianship order).
2Child Protection Plan — Children subject to a Child Protection Plan.
3Siblings — Children who have a sibling already on roll at Cantell School who will continue to attend the following year.
4Medical or psychological condition — Children whose parents have satisfied the Governing Body that their child has a significant medical or psychological condition which means they must attend the preferred school rather than any other. Applications must be supported by appropriate written evidence from a doctor or psychologist.
5Children of staff — Children of staff employed by Cantell School for two or more years at the time of application and/or the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage.
6Feeder school — Children attending a feeder junior or primary school.
7Distance — Children who live closest to the school.

If two applications tie: Should there be two or more identical distances requiring prioritisation, this will be done by casting lots. Lots will be drawn by the Education Lead, Southampton City Council, independent from the school.

Children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) that name the school must be admitted to that school even if it is full, and are outside the normal admission arrangements, but count as part of the PAN.

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.

Cantell School: key facts

What did Ofsted judge Cantell School's overall effectiveness to be?: Ofsted judged Cantell School's overall effectiveness as Outstanding at its inspection in March 2024, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend Cantell School?: Cantell School has 1,313 pupils on roll.
What ages does Cantell School take?: Cantell School admits pupils aged 11 to 16.
Where is Cantell School located?: Cantell School is located in Southampton, SO16 3GJ, Southampton.
How do I apply to Cantell School?: Cantell School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.
How close do you need to live to get into Cantell School?: On offer day for 2026-27 (Year 7), the furthest place offered at Cantell School was 2.519 miles from the school. That is the distance the last place reached in one year, not a boundary and not a guarantee — it moves with the number of applicants.
How are Year 7 places decided at Cantell School?: When Cantell School has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after children / previously looked after children — Children in public care (looked after children) and previously looked after children as defined in paragraph 1.7 of the School Admissions Code 2021 which states: Previously looked after children are children who were looked after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to child arrangements order or special guardianship order); 2. Child Protection Plan — Children subject to a Child Protection Plan; 3. Siblings — Children who have a sibling already on roll at Cantell School who will continue to attend the following year, and 4 further criteria. The school offers 250 places at this entry point. Tie-break: Should there be two or more identical distances requiring prioritisation, this will be done by casting lots. Lots will be drawn by the Education Lead, Southampton City Council, independent from the school.
What is the largest ethnic background at Cantell School?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 32.2% of pupils at Cantell School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

League tables in Southampton Compare Southampton schools Best secondary schools in Southampton Outstanding schools in Southampton Southampton hub All Southampton schools Schools on map Admissions checker Choosing sixth form guide Catchment areas guide What to ask on a visit

Same phase, ranked by distance and how closely they match.

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

Separately-registered childcare operating at this school's site, each with its own Ofsted record.

Kumon Southampton Study Centre

Wraparound club

Feeder schools & nurseries

Children attending these settings are given priority in this school's admissions.

Bassett Green Primary School

Primary

Expected standard

Bevois Town Primary School

Primary

Good

Highfield Church of England Primary School

Primary

Good

Portswood Primary School

Primary

Strong

Mansbridge Primary School

Primary

Good

Mount Pleasant Juniors

Primary

Outstanding

Swaythling Primary School

Primary

Good

Links are derived from Ofsted registration addresses and published admission arrangements. Always confirm current arrangements with the school.

Interested in this school?Register interest and we'll pass your details on if it joins School Atlas.Register interest

This school hasn't claimed its profile yet, so it can't receive enquiries here. Leave your details and we'll pass them on if the school joins School Atlas.

Nearby schools within 5 km

How close did you need to live?

2.519miles

Last distance offered at Cantell School, year by year →

How places are decided at Cantell School

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1Looked after children / previously looked after children — Children in public care (looked after children) and previously looked after children as defined in paragraph 1.7 of the School Admissions Code 2021 which states: Previously looked after children are children who were looked after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to child arrangements order or special guardianship order).
2Child Protection Plan — Children subject to a Child Protection Plan.
3Siblings — Children who have a sibling already on roll at Cantell School who will continue to attend the following year.
4Medical or psychological condition — Children whose parents have satisfied the Governing Body that their child has a significant medical or psychological condition which means they must attend the preferred school rather than any other. Applications must be supported by appropriate written evidence from a doctor or psychologist.
5Children of staff — Children of staff employed by Cantell School for two or more years at the time of application and/or the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage.
6Feeder school — Children attending a feeder junior or primary school.
7Distance — Children who live closest to the school.

Cantell School: key facts

What did Ofsted judge Cantell School's overall effectiveness to be?: Ofsted judged Cantell School's overall effectiveness as Outstanding at its inspection in March 2024, on Ofsted's own scale.
How many pupils attend Cantell School?: Cantell School has 1,313 pupils on roll.
What ages does Cantell School take?: Cantell School admits pupils aged 11 to 16.
Where is Cantell School located?: Cantell School is located in Southampton, SO16 3GJ, Southampton.
How do I apply to Cantell School?: Cantell School is a state school. In England you apply through the council where you live, using its common application form, even if the school is in another council area. The national closing date for secondary places is 31 October.
How close do you need to live to get into Cantell School?: On offer day for 2026-27 (Year 7), the furthest place offered at Cantell School was 2.519 miles from the school. That is the distance the last place reached in one year, not a boundary and not a guarantee — it moves with the number of applicants.
How are Year 7 places decided at Cantell School?: When Cantell School has more applications than places for 2027-28, they are offered in a published order of priority: 1. Looked after children / previously looked after children — Children in public care (looked after children) and previously looked after children as defined in paragraph 1.7 of the School Admissions Code 2021 which states: Previously looked after children are children who were looked after, but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to child arrangements order or special guardianship order); 2. Child Protection Plan — Children subject to a Child Protection Plan; 3. Siblings — Children who have a sibling already on roll at Cantell School who will continue to attend the following year, and 4 further criteria. The school offers 250 places at this entry point. Tie-break: Should there be two or more identical distances requiring prioritisation, this will be done by casting lots. Lots will be drawn by the Education Lead, Southampton City Council, independent from the school.
What is the largest ethnic background at Cantell School?: According to the DfE School Census 2025-26, 32.2% of pupils at Cantell School are recorded as White British. The full ethnic breakdown across all groups is available on the Pupils tab.

Same phase, ranked by distance and how closely they match.

Cantell School

How close did you need to live?

How places are decided at Cantell School

Cantell School: key facts

Similar schools nearby

Cantell School

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

Feeder schools & nurseries

Nearby schools within 5 km

How close did you need to live?

How places are decided at Cantell School

Cantell School: key facts

Similar schools nearby

Connected nurseries & schools

On-site nursery & childcare

Feeder schools & nurseries

Nearby schools within 5 km