Many children will be starting secondary school in Southampton next September, and lots of parents will soon have choices to make about where to send them.

Applications for Year 7 places in Southampton close on Thursday, October 31 so the deadline is approaching soon.

If you've not yet made your decision and are worried you are running out of time, you're in luck as we've rounded up the best-rated schools in the area.

Using Ofsted ratings, we've found the secondary schools rated the best under outstanding and good status.

The results are listed for Southampton with each of the ratings correct as of September 30, 2024. 

You can see all the Ofsted ratings for local schools via the Ofsted website. 

Best-rated secondary schools in Southampton according to Ofsted

St Anne's Catholic School

  • Address: Carlton Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 2WZ
  • Rating: Outstanding
  • Latest report: July 12, 2024

Yarrow Heights School

  • Address: Cobden Avenue, Southampton, SO18 1FS
  • Rating: Outstanding
  • Latest report: September 6, 2023

Cantell School

  • Address: Violet Road, Bassett, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 3GJ
  • Rating: Outstanding
  • Latest report: May 14, 2014

Saint George Catholic Voluntary Aided College Southampton

  • Address: Leaside Way, Swaythling, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 3DQ
  • Rating: Outstanding
  • Latest report: September 20, 2023

The Serendipity School

  • Address: 399 Hinkler Road, Thornhill, Southampton, Hampshire, SO19 6DS
  • Rating: Outstanding
  • Latest report: July 3, 2024

St Mark's Church of England School

  • Address: Stafford Road, Shirley, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 5TE
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: November 30, 2022
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Upper Shirley High School

  • Address: Bellemoor Road, Upper Shirley, Southampton, Hampshire, SO15 7QU
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: November 14, 2019

Regents Park Community College

  • Address: King Edward Avenue, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 4GW
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: May 1, 2024

Bitterne Park School

  • Address: Dimond Road, Bitterne Park, Southampton, Hampshire, SO18 1BU
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: June 19, 2024

Dibden Park School

  • Address: Main Road, Dibden, Southampton, Hampshire, SO45 5TD
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: September 12, 2024

Woodlands Community College

  • Address: Minstead Avenue, Southampton, Hampshire, SO18 5FW
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: October 17, 2022

Redbridge Community School

  • Address: Cuckmere Lane, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 9RJ
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: September 15, 2023

Oasis Academy Mayfield

  • Address: Ashley Crescent, Southampton, Hampshire, SO19 9NA
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: May 24, 2024

GLADE School

  • Address: 49 Junction Road, Totton, Hampshire, SO40 3BU
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: November 15, 2023

Hounsdown School

  • Address: Jacobs Gutter Lane, Totton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 9FT
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: July 1, 2024

Testwood School

  • Address: Testwood Lane, Totton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 3ZW
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: February 7, 2019

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Forest Park School

  • Address: Ringwood Road, Totton, Southampton, Hampshire, SO40 8DZ
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: January 19, 2023

Wildern School

  • Address: Wildern Lane, Hedge End, Southampton, Hampshire, SO30 4EJ
  • Rating: Good
  • Latest report: April 25, 2019

Full reports on all the schools listed can be found on the Ofsted website.