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Junction of Winchester Road and Brownhill Road, Chandler's FordPhoto: Peter Facey · CC BY-SA 2.0
ASchool Grade
Schools in Chandler's Ford · DfE, Ofsted

Chandler's Ford’s state schools get better results than 93% of towns in England

Across their best eight GCSEs, pupils in Chandler's Ford score 58.1 on Attainment 8, above both Hampshire’s towns (45.8) and towns in England (45.9). 13 state-funded schools are located in Chandler's Ford’s built-up area. Chandler's Ford grades A for schools, on Department for Education Key Stage 2 and GCSE results: #5 of 76 in Hampshire. Ofsted is shown, not graded.

State schools
13
10 primary, 2 secondary
Reading, writing & maths
68%
meet the expected standard at 11 · 2023–25
England’s schools: 62%
Attainment 8
58.1
GCSE average across 8 subjects · 2025/26
England’s schools: 47.3
Grade 5+ English & maths
64%
a strong pass in both · 2025/26
England’s schools: 47%

Town figures are pupil-weighted across the schools the grade uses; England’s are the average school.

What stands out · In brief

What stands out about Chandler's Ford’s schools

Strong at both ages

Chandler's Ford’s secondary results beat 96% of English towns; its primary results beat 83%. 68% of the large town’s 11-year-olds meet the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, against 62% at the average school in England and 62% across Hampshire. The spread between primaries is wide: 85% at Scantabout Primary School, 55% at Fryern Junior School. Every school’s result ↓

After 16 it’s college

None of the 2 state secondaries in Chandler's Ford keeps pupils past 16. Most others go to a further-education or sixth-form college, or a sixth form in another town. After 16 ↓

Written from the Department for Education and Ofsted data on this page.

School Grade

Chandler's Ford grades A for schools

Against every town in England with results; Wales publishes none.

Primary: reading, writing and maths at 11 (68% meet the standard)Better than 83% of towns in England
Secondary: Attainment 8 and grade 5+ English and maths (58.1 and 64%)Better than 96% of towns in England
Each of Chandler's Ford’s 7 primaries: % meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (2023–25)50%60%70%80%90%England 62%Hampshire 62%Fryern Junior School: 55% · CMerdon Junior School: 59% · C+St Swithun Wells Catholic Primary School, Chandlers Ford: 65% · BKnightwood Primary School: 67% · BSt Francis Church of England Primary School: 68% · B+Hiltingbury Junior School: 82% · AScantabout Primary School: 85% · A+
England’s average schoolHampshire’s average school

The primary figure: 7 primaries in the town, 1,291 pupils in results over three years. The secondary figure: 2 secondaries in the town, 508 pupils in results. Mainstream state schools only (grammar schools included); special schools, alternative provision, nurseries and 16–19 colleges are listed below but not graded. Each school’s results are compared with every school in England, then weighted by its pupils.

Map

Where Chandler's Ford’s 13 state schools are

Each school at its address, coloured by its own letter and sized by pupils. Open a school for its own page. The dashed shape is Chandler's Ford’s built-up area.

PrimarySecondary (named)Special, nursery, 16–19Size: pupilsABCDNo letter

Most schools give places by distance once siblings are in, so the schools nearest a home matter more than any league table. The 2 secondaries are named.

Results and intake

Which schools do better than their intake suggests

Schools with more pupils on free school meals tend to get lower results. The dashed line is the typical school in England for each level of free school meals; the band holds the middle two-thirds. A dot above the band is doing better than schools like it.

Primaries: KS2 reading, writing and maths against free school meals50%60%70%80%90%0%10%20%30%40%Pupils on free school meals →typical school in EnglandFryern Junior School: 55% with 18% on free school meals (a typical school with that intake: 64%)Hiltingbury Junior School: 82% with 6% on free school meals (a typical school with that intake: 67%)Knightwood Primary School: 67% with 5% on free school meals (a typical school with that intake: 67%)Merdon Junior School: 59% with 11% on free school meals (a typical school with that intake: 66%)Scantabout Primary School: 85% with 5% on free school meals (a typical school with that intake: 67%)St Francis Church of England Primary School: 68% with 4% on free school meals (a typical school with that intake: 68%)St Swithun Wells Catholic Primary School, Chandlers Ford: 65% with 13% on free school meals (a typical school with that intake: 65%)ScantaboutHiltingbury JuniorFryern JuniorMerdon Junior

The share of pupils on free school meals runs from 2% at Hiltingbury Infant School to 20% at The Toynbee School. Against schools with the same intake, Scantabout Primary School does best: 85% with 5% on free school meals, where a typical school would reach 67%. 3 of 7 primaries are above the line.

Show as a table
SchoolFree school mealsResultTypical for that intakeDifference
Scantabout Primary SchoolKS2 %5%85%67%+18
Hiltingbury Junior SchoolKS2 %6%82%67%+15
St Francis Church of England Primary SchoolKS2 %4%68%68%+0
St Swithun Wells Catholic Primary School, Chandlers FordKS2 %13%65%65%−0
Knightwood Primary SchoolKS2 %5%67%67%−0
Merdon Junior SchoolKS2 %11%59%66%−7
Fryern Junior SchoolKS2 %18%55%64%−9

Free school meals: pupils eligible now, DfE January 2026 census. The typical-school line is a straight-line fit across every graded school in England. It describes; it doesn’t grade: the School Grade uses results alone.

Getting a place

How school places work in Chandler's Ford

Hampshire County Council handles applications for every state school in Chandler's Ford, academies included. You apply to the council where you live, even for a school in another area.

Secondary (starting at 11)Apply by 31 October of Year 6. Offers on 1 March.
Primary (starting in Reception)Apply by 15 January before the September your child starts. Offers on 16 April.
Moving mid-yearApply to the council for an in-year place; it tells you which schools have room.

When a school is full

Every school publishes its admissions rules. Children in care come first, then, at most schools, brothers and sisters of current pupils, then those who live nearest. 2 of Chandler's Ford’s 12 mainstream schools have a religious character; some of them give priority by church attendance, so check each school’s rules. Infant classes are limited to 30 by law. If you’re refused a place, you can appeal to an independent panel.

Useful: Apply for a primary place (GOV.UK) · Apply for a secondary place (GOV.UK) · How admissions criteria work

How full each school is

Pupils on roll as a share of the school’s official capacity. The black tick is 100%; 2 schools are at or over it.

The Toynbee105%
Thornden103%
Hiltingbury Infant99%
Knightwood98%
Scantabout97%
Hiltingbury Junior97%
St Francis90%
St Swithun Wells89%
Merdon Junior86%
Fryern Infant82%
Show all 12 schools
Fryern Junior81%
Chandler's Ford Infant68%

DfE register of schools (GIAS), January 2026 census. Capacity often excludes a nursery class, so a school with a nursery can show over 100%.

The schools

13 state schools in Chandler's Ford

Each school’s own letter compares its results with every state school in England of the same phase: Key Stage 2 for primaries, GCSEs for secondaries. Open a school for its results, how its letter is worked out, Ofsted and a map.

Letters of Chandler's Ford’s schoolsA 3B 4C 2D 04 without a letter

Key result: Attainment 8 and grade 5+ English and maths (GCSEs, 2025/26 provisional) for secondaries; the share meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (KS2, DfE’s three-year average) for primaries. Pupils: the January 2026 school census. No letter: an infant or first school (no KS2 tests), a new school, a small cohort DfE suppresses, or a special school, nursery or college. Independent schools aren’t included.

Ofsted

Ofsted report cards

Each school’s latest inspection; report cards replace one-word judgements as schools are re-inspected.

Outstanding 1Good 2Report card 1Ungraded inspection only 9

Ofsted stopped giving one-word judgements in 2024. Until a school is re-inspected, its last overall judgement is its most recent single grade; a school judged years ago may have changed a lot since.

Since November 2025 Ofsted gives each area of a school one of five grades (exceptional, strong standard, expected standard, needs attention, urgent improvement) and says whether safeguarding is met, instead of one overall word. 1 of Chandler's Ford’s 13 state schools have a report card so far; the others show their last inspection under the old framework. Ofsted is never part of the School Grade.

SchoolSafeguardingAchievementCurriculum and teachingInclusionAttendance and behaviourPersonal development and well-beingLeadership and governance
Thornden SchoolJune 2026MetExceptionalStrong standardStrong standardStrong standardStrong standardStrong standard
Who runs them

1 academy trust and the council

Academies are state schools run by a trust rather than the council: the trust employs the staff and can set its own curriculum and term dates. Admissions still go through the council.

Run bySchoolsPupilsTheir letters
Hisp Multi Academy Trust LtdThornden11,440A+
Hampshire County CouncilThe Toynbee, Knightwood, Hiltingbury Junior, St Francis, Hiltingbury Infant, Merdon Junior, Scantabout, Fryern Junior, St Swithun Wells, Fryern Infant, Chandler's Ford Infant, Lakeside123,689B−BAB+C+A+CB
After 16

Where Chandler's Ford’s teenagers go at 16

In England young people stay in education or training until 18: a sixth form, a college, or an apprenticeship.

All 2 state secondaries in Chandler's Ford teach 11 to 16. The nearest college is Barton Peveril Sixth Form College, a further-education college 1.9 miles away.

Secondaries with a sixth form
0 of 2
state schools in Chandler's Ford
Colleges within 12 miles
4
nearest: Barton Peveril Sixth Form College
Grammar schools in Hampshire
0
no selective state secondaries
CollegeDistance
Barton Peveril Sixth Form CollegeFurther-education college · SO50 5ZA1.9 mi
Itchen CollegeFurther-education college · SO19 7TB5.6 mi
Peter Symonds CollegeFurther-education college · SO22 6RX6.4 mi
Sparsholt College HampshireFurther-education college · SO21 2NF6.8 mi
Special needs

Special schools and alternative provision in Chandler's Ford

Chandler's Ford has 1 special school (Lakeside: 97 pupils). A special-school place isn’t applied for like a mainstream one: for a child with an education, health and care plan (EHCP), Hampshire County Council names the school in the plan, after asking the family’s preference. These schools have no letter, because their results don’t compare with mainstream schools’. Their cards ↑

Hampshire County Council’s SEND Local Offer lists support beyond these schools.

Towns its size

13th of 206 English towns of 22,000 to 43,000

Ranked by School Grade, best first: the towns either side of Chandler's Ford, and the top and bottom of the group.

#TownSchoolsKS2Attainment 8Grade 5+ E&M
1Harpenden HertfordshireA+79%6072%
…
9Epsom SurreyA70%56.564%
10Rickmansworth HertfordshireA71%54.661%
11Urmston Greater ManchesterA72%53.958%
12Lichfield StaffordshireA72%5359%
13Chandler's Ford HampshireA68%58.164%
14Tadworth and Epsom Downs SurreyA68%57.166%
15Fleet HampshireA69%53.762%
16Kenilworth WarwickshireA72%52.658%
17Redhill SurreyA70%5359%
…
206Herne Bay KentD−49%35.523%
Neighbours

Chandler's Ford and the places around it

Coloured by School Grade.

Eastleigh: C+Chilworth: BOtterbourne: ANorth Baddesley: A−Compton: A+Colden Common: ATwyford: AEastleighChilworthOtterbourneNorth BaddesleyComptonColden CommonTwyfordChandler's Ford
TownSchoolsKS2Att. 8
Chandler's Ford
13 schools
A68%58.1
Eastleigh
11 schools · uses schools within 3 km · 2 mi
C+53%48.6
Chilworth
0 schools · uses schools within 3 km · 2.1 mi
B61%49
Otterbourne
1 school · uses schools within 3 km · 2.4 mi
A68%52.4
North Baddesley
2 schools · uses schools within 3 km · 2.7 mi
A−66%50.6
Compton
1 school · uses schools within 3 km · 2.9 mi
A+69%64.5
Colden Common
1 school · uses schools within 3 km · 3.1 mi
A66%53.6
Twyford
1 school · uses schools within 3 km · 4 mi
A72%—

Compton has the best-graded schools nearby (A+). Small places often use the schools within 3 km, so neighbours can share schools.

How to read these numbers

What this data can and can’t tell you

  • Expected standard at Key Stage 2. The share of 11-year-olds who reach the expected standard in reading, writing and maths together, in tests and teacher assessment at the end of primary school. We use DfE’s three-year average (2023–2025) to steady small schools.
  • Higher standard. The share working at greater depth in all three. In Chandler's Ford: 9% (England’s average school: 8%).
  • Attainment 8. A pupil’s GCSE grades across eight subjects, with English and maths counted twice, added up. 50 is roughly a grade 5 in every subject.
  • Grade 5+ in English and maths. A strong pass in both. Grade 4 is a standard pass.
  • Provisional. 2025/26 GCSE figures are DfE’s first release; revised figures follow in February, usually within a point.
  • Progress 8. Not shown: there is none for 2025/26, because these pupils sat no KS2 tests in 2020 (Covid).
  • Free school meals. Pupils eligible for free school meals now, from the January census: the usual measure of how many pupils come from low-income homes.
  • Independent schools. Not included: they publish no results comparable with state schools’.

Questions about schools in Chandler's Ford

Are schools in Chandler's Ford good?

Chandler's Ford’s state schools earn an A against schools across England: primary results beat 83% of towns in England; secondary results beat 96% of towns in England, on Department for Education Key Stage 2 and GCSE results. School places are handled by Hampshire council.

What is the best secondary school in Chandler's Ford?

On 2025/26 GCSE results, Thornden School: Attainment 8 of 64.5 and 80% with grade 5+ in English and maths, against 47.3 at the average school in England. Results are one measure; distance decides most places.

What is the best primary school in Chandler's Ford?

On Key Stage 2 results over 2023–25, Scantabout Primary School: 85% of pupils meet the expected standard in reading, writing and maths, against 62% at the average school in England.

Do Chandler's Ford secondary schools have sixth forms?

No. All 2 state secondaries teach 11–16; students move at 16 to a college, a sixth form elsewhere or an apprenticeship.

How do I apply for a school place in Chandler's Ford?

Through Hampshire County Council, for every state school including academies. Secondary applications close on 31 October (offers 1 March); primary on 15 January (offers 16 April).

How many schools in Chandler's Ford are full?

2 of 12 mainstream schools have at least as many pupils as places, on DfE’s January 2026 census. A full school still admits by its rules, usually distance after siblings.

How many state schools are in Chandler's Ford?

13 open state-funded schools are located in Chandler's Ford’s built-up area: 10 primary, 2 secondary and 1 other (special schools, alternative provision, nurseries and 16–19). Independent schools aren’t included.

Sources: DfE Get Information about Schools (16 October 2026), Key Stage 2 performance tables (2023–2025, three-year average) and Key Stage 4 (2025/26, provisional); Ofsted state-funded school inspections as at 30 September 2026 · DfE Get Information about Schools (16 October 2026), further-education and sixth-form colleges · TownRatings grades: our own summary of the data, ranked against UK towns only. All under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026 (ONS boundaries). Northern Ireland: Source: NISRA; contains Land & Property Services data and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland information, © Crown copyright, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Scotland: contains National Records of Scotland data, Registers of Scotland data and SEPA data, © Crown copyright / © SEPA 2025, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.