Secondary Schools in Fareham

Comprehensive schools and academies for ages 11 to 16

Fareham has four main secondary schools serving the borough, each with its own catchment area and character. All are comprehensive, non-selective schools providing education from eleven to sixteen.

Fareham Academy, located on Cams Hill near the town centre, serves the central and southern parts of Fareham. The school has undergone changes in recent years, including a change of name and governance arrangements. It provides a broad curriculum and has invested in its facilities. The school serves a mixed catchment area that includes the town centre and the southern suburbs.

Henry Cort Community College on Gudge Heath Lane serves the northern part of the town and the surrounding area. Named after the industrial pioneer who developed the puddling process for iron at Funtley, the school has a broad curriculum and serves a mixed catchment area. It is part of a multi-academy trust and has undergone development in recent years.

Cams Hill School on Shearwater Avenue serves the eastern side of Fareham and is one of the more popular schools in the borough. It is regularly oversubscribed, and its catchment distance can be tight in some years, meaning that families need to live relatively close to be confident of a place. The school has good facilities and a strong academic record.

Brookfield Community School in Locks Heath serves the western suburbs. It draws from the large residential areas of Locks Heath, Park Gate, and parts of Whiteley. The school has a good reputation locally and benefits from serving a relatively stable catchment area.

For students seeking sixth form education, options include Fareham College and the sixth forms at schools in neighbouring areas, including those in Gosport and Portsmouth. Some students travel to Peter Symonds College in Winchester or Barton Peveril in Eastleigh for A-levels. The choice of post-sixteen pathway depends on whether the student wants A-levels, vocational courses, or an apprenticeship.

The secondary school admissions process is coordinated by Hampshire County Council. Preferences are submitted in the autumn of Year 6, with offers made the following March. The most oversubscribed schools require families to live close to the school to be confident of a place. Checking the last admitted distance from previous years is advisable.

Transport to secondary schools is by a mix of dedicated school buses, public transport, walking, and car. Traffic around the schools at drop-off and pick-up times is a perennial issue, particularly at Cams Hill School where the road access is constrained. Parents are encouraged to use sustainable transport where possible, though the reality of suburban geography means that many families rely on the car.