Portswood Primary School is a mainstream primary school in Southampton for children aged 4 to 11. In January 2026, 81 of its 416 pupils (19.5%) were getting SEN support and 17 (4.1%) had an EHC plan.
- Ages 4–11
- 416 pupils
- Ofsted report card (2026)
Special educational needs here
From the school census, January 2026. Compared with state primary schools across England and in Southampton.
19.5% get SEN support
81 of 416 pupils. Help in school without an EHC plan.
Higher than the England average.
4.1% have an EHC plan
17 of 416 pupils. A legal plan from the council, for children who need more help.
About the same as the England average.
Most common needs
- Speech, language and communication40
- Specific learning difficulty, such as dyslexia20
- Autism15
- Moderate learning difficulty10
- Social, emotional and mental health8
Pupils by their main need, on SEN support or with an EHC plan. Needs with fewer than 5 pupils aren’t shown.
Figures show how many children the school supports, not how well. To see how it would support your child, talk to the SENCO and read its SEN information report on the school’s website.
School details
- Type
- Mainstream primary school
- Run as
- Academy
- Ages
- 4 to 11
- Boys and girls
- Boys and girls
- Pupils
- 416 (places for 420)
- Headteacher
- Headteacher Tony Head
- Part of
- Hisp Multi Academy Trust LTD
- Free school meals
- 28.6% of pupils eligible
- Council
- Southampton
- School reference (URN)
- 138626
How SEN support works
4 steps, from a first chat to an EHC plan
- Talk to the class teacher and the SENCO
If you’re worried about your child, ask for a meeting. Every school has a SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Your child doesn’t need a diagnosis to get help.
- SEN support
The school should work out what your child needs, agree a plan with you, put it in place and review it together, usually each term. This is called SEN support.
- An EHC needs assessment
If your child needs more help than the school can usually give, you or the school can ask Southampton council for an EHC needs assessment. It can lead to an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, which the council must make sure is delivered.
- Free, independent advice
Your local SENDIASS can help at any stage, and can come to meetings with the school with you.
Questions to ask the SENCO
10 questions to tick off as you go
Ticks stay on this device, so you can use them at the meeting.
Ofsted
Report card, June 2026: Strong standard in every area
Inspected in June 2026 under Ofsted’s new report cards, which grade each area separately, from Exceptional to Urgent improvement, instead of one overall grade.
- InclusionStrong standard
- Curriculum and teachingStrong standard
- AchievementStrong standard
- Attendance and behaviourStrong standard
- Personal development and wellbeingStrong standard
- Early yearsStrong standard
- Leadership and governanceStrong standard
- SafeguardingMet
Contact and getting there
Somerset Road, Southampton, SO17 3AA
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Directions: Walk Public transport Drive
Email me these details
The school’s details, its SEN figures and the questions to ask the SENCO, in your inbox.
Nearby
Specialist schools and SEN units
- Bitterne Park School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–18 · Ofsted: Good 0.8 miles
- Cantell School Mainstream + base · Ages 11–16 · Ofsted: Outstanding 0.8 miles
- New Avenue School Independent · Ages 9–16 · Ofsted: Good 1.1 miles
- Yarrow Heights School Independent · Ages 7–19 1.1 miles
Other mainstream schools
- Swaythling Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 21.4%, EHC plans 4% 0.5 miles
- St Denys Primary School Primary · Ages 4–11 · SEN support 27.1%, EHC plans 5.8% 0.5 miles
- Bitterne Park Primary & Nursery School - Part of the Learning Federation Partnership of Schools Primary · Ages 2–11 · SEN support 14.8%, EHC plans 1.2% 0.5 miles
All mainstream schools in Southampton SEND schools in Southampton
Questions about Portswood Primary School
How many pupils at Portswood Primary School have special educational needs?
In the January 2026 school census, 81 of the 416 pupils (19.5%) were getting SEN support and 17 (4.1%) had an EHC plan. Across England’s state primary schools it is 15.4% and 4.1%.
What are the most common needs at Portswood Primary School?
Counting pupils on SEN support and with an EHC plan, the most common main needs are speech, language and communication needs (40 pupils), dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties (20 pupils) and autism (15 pupils).
Who do I talk to about my child’s needs at Portswood Primary School?
The SENCO (special educational needs co-ordinator). Every school has one, and every school must publish an SEN information report on its website explaining how it supports pupils with SEND.
How do I apply for a place at Portswood Primary School?
Through Southampton council’s school admissions, in the normal application round or during the year. If your child has an EHC plan, you don’t apply this way: you ask for the school to be named in the plan instead.
Can my child with an EHC plan go to Portswood Primary School?
You can ask for Portswood Primary School to be named in your child’s EHC plan. The council must consult the school and name it, unless it would be unsuitable for your child’s age, ability or needs, or would affect other children’s education or the efficient use of resources.
Does Portswood Primary School have an SEN unit or resourced provision?
Not according to the Department for Education’s register of schools. The nearest mainstream school with one is Bitterne Park School, about 0.8 miles away.
Where is Portswood Primary School?
Somerset Road, Southampton, SO17 3AA, in Southampton.
School data: DfE Get Information About Schools, SEN figures from DfE Special educational needs in England (the January school census), under the Open Government Licence. Postcode lookups by postcodes.io: contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right, Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right, and National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right. Distances are as the crow flies. Always check details and admissions with the school and your council.