SchoolScoresCottage Grove Primary School and Nursery
Academy · Primary, ages 2 to 11 · Mixed · Nursery class
Part of GATEWAY MULTI ACADEMY TRUST
Chivers Close, Southsea, PO5 1HG
023 9234 1133 · School website · Map and directions
Ofsted inspection
Ofsted rated this school Requires improvement at the inspection that started on 25 June 2024.
This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.
| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Requires improvement |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Personal development | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Good |
| Early years | Good |
| Safeguarding | Effective |
Read the full Ofsted reports for this school
Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.
What parents say
24 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025.
Southsea comparisons use the 5 of its 10 state primary schools with comparable results. The other 5 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.
| Statement | This school | Southsea | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| My child is happy at this school 4th highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Southsea. Higher than 31% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 96% | 89% |
| My child feels safe at this school 3rd highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Southsea. Higher than 29% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92% | 95% | 90% |
| The school makes sure pupils are well behaved 3rd highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Southsea. Higher than 37% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 88% | 89% | 84% |
| Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 10 parents whose child had been bullied 1st highest of 3 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Southsea. Higher than 99% of 6,022 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 90% | 70% | 51% |
| Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 19 parents who had raised a concern 3rd highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Southsea. Higher than 52% of 8,398 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 84% | 85% | 76% |
| I would recommend this school to another parent 3rd highest of 5 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in Southsea. Higher than 52% of 8,868 state primary schools with comparable Parent View results in England. | 92%said yes | 90% | 84% |
Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families. Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Southsea figures pool parents at the Southsea schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.
Results
Key stage 2 (SATs, age 11), 2024/25
55 pupils in this year group.
53% — about the same as the Portsmouth average, and 9 points below the England average.
| Measure | This school | Portsmouth | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths | 53% | 54% | 62% |
| Reached the higher standard in reading, writing and maths | 4% | 3% | 8% |
| Met the expected standard in reading | 75% | 69% | 75% |
| Met the expected standard in writing | 65% | 67% | 72% |
| Met the expected standard in maths | 73% | 66% | 74% |
| Average reading scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 104 | 104 | 106 |
| Average maths scoreScaled score from 80 to 120; 100 is the expected standard. | 103 | 103 | 105 |
Source: DfE key stage 2 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.
Admissions
Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Portsmouth. The national closing date for primary applications is 15 January, and offers are sent on 16 April.
How hard is it to get in?
For the September 2026 intake there were about one first-choice application for every place.
| Places offered | 58 |
|---|---|
| Families who put it first | 53 |
| Of those, offered a place | 53 (100%) |
| Families who listed it at all | 93 |
First-choice applications per place: 2024: 0.9 · 2025: 0.9 · 2026: 0.9
This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.
Pupils, staff and SEND
| Pupils | This school | Portsmouth | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years 1st highest of 10 state primary schools in Southsea. Higher than 87% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 46.0% | 34.7%* | 26.3% |
| With an education, health and care plan 5th highest of 10 state primary schools in Southsea. Higher than 61% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 3.6% | 4.2%* | 3.5% |
| Receiving special educational needs support 1st highest of 10 state primary schools in Southsea. Higher than 81% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 19.9% | 14.1%* | 15.0% |
| English as an additional language 1st highest of 10 state primary schools in Southsea. Higher than 91% of 16,656 state primary schools in England. | 53.9% | 24.2%* | 23.4% |
| Overall absence (sessions missed) Joint 8th lowest of 10 state primary schools in Southsea. Lower than 36% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 5.5% | 5.2%* | 5.2% |
| Persistently absent (missed 10% or more) 9th lowest of 10 state primary schools in Southsea. Lower than 36% of 16,640 state primary schools in England. | 14.2% | 12.8%* | 13.0% |
| Suspensions per 100 pupils 10th lowest of 10 state primary schools in Southsea. Lower than 16% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 5.0 | 3.2 | 2.5 |
| Pupils suspended at least once 9th lowest of 10 state primary schools in Southsea. Lower than 38% of 16,651 state primary schools in England. | 1.0% | 1.1% | 1.1% |
| Pupils permanently excluded1 pupil | 0.21% | 0.03% | 0.03% |
| Pupils per teacher 3rd highest of 10 state primary schools in Southsea. Higher than 61% of 16,642 state primary schools in England. | 21.5 | 20.7 | 20.7 |
| Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff) 9th highest of 10 state primary schools in Southsea. Higher than 16% of 16,653 state primary schools in England. | 8.6 | 9.7 | 10.6 |
| Teachers who left during the year 8th highest of 10 state primary schools in Southsea. Higher than 20% of 15,063 state primary schools in England. | 4.2% | 14.3%* | 14.4%* |
Comparisons are with primary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.
Nearby primary schools
- Ark Ayrton Primary Academy 0.4 miles · Ofsted: Good (2018), confirmed, may be improving 2024 · 78% met expected standard (KS2)
- Southsea Infant School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 5 expected, 2 needs attention
- St Jude's CofE Primary School 0.5 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed with concerns 2024 · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
- Bramble Infant School and Nursery 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2019), confirmed 2025
- St John's Cathedral Catholic Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2022) · 83% met expected standard (KS2)
- St Swithun's Catholic Primary School 0.6 miles · Ofsted: Good (2016), confirmed 2025 · 69% met expected standard (KS2)
- Arundel Court Primary Academy and Nursery 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 1 expected, 6 needs attention · 35% met expected standard (KS2)
- Devonshire Infant School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Report card 2026: 7 expected
- Craneswater Junior School 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013), confirmed 2022 · 53% met expected standard (KS2)
- Penbridge Infant School and Nursery 0.8 miles · Ofsted: Good (2013, before conversion), confirmed 2022
Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.
Questions parents ask
What is Cottage Grove Primary School and Nursery's Ofsted rating?
Cottage Grove Primary School and Nursery was rated Requires improvement by Ofsted at its inspection in 25 June 2024.
How did Cottage Grove Primary School and Nursery do in its SATs?
In 2024/25, 53% of pupils met the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, 9 points below the England average of 62%.
Would parents recommend Cottage Grove Primary School and Nursery?
92% of the 24 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 2 April 2024 and 7 April 2025 said they would recommend Cottage Grove Primary School and Nursery to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.
Is Cottage Grove Primary School and Nursery oversubscribed?
For the September 2026 intake, 53 families put Cottage Grove Primary School and Nursery as their first choice for 58 places: about one first-choice application for every place. 53 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.
Sources
- School details: Get Information about Schools (DfE), 26 September 2026. URN 148709.
- Inspections: Ofsted management information, data to 31 August 2026.
- Parent views: Ofsted Parent View, 2 April 2024 to 7 April 2025.
- Results: DfE school performance tables, Key stage 2 2024/25.
Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.
Page updated 26 September 2026.