42.9%
New EHC plans issued within 20 weeks
% · 2025
Use the same exceptions basis for all comparisons. Excluding exceptions is the DfE release headline.
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Lifelong learning
“Our young people are encouraged to develop high, positive aspirations and our adults have lifelong education opportunities that empower them and enrich their lives.” — Imagine Portsmouth 2040
A newer official release was due 15 October 2026. This figure updates once UK Stat Pack has checked it.
Pupils passing English and maths GCSE at grade 5+, vs Southampton and England. Portsmouth state-funded schools.
Source: DfE · 2024/25 GCSE cohort
Checked 23 September 2026
| Year | Portsmouth | Southampton | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018/19 | 35% | 35.6% | 43.2% |
| 2021/22 | 41.3% | 42.1% | 49.8% |
| 2022/23 | 31.6% | 38.1% | 45.3% |
| 2023/24 | 34.4% | 38.3% | 45.9% |
| 2024/25 | 35.2% | 38.9% | 45.4% |
PortsmouthEngland
Percentage of new EHC plans issued within 20 weeks during calendar 2025, excluding cases where statutory exceptions apply.
Source: Department for Education · 2025
Checked 3 October 2026
Use the same exceptions basis for all comparisons. Excluding exceptions is the DfE release headline.
| Year | Portsmouth | England |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 96% | 58.7% |
| 2020 | 96.3% | 55.6% |
| 2021 | 97% | 57.9% |
| 2022 | 89.5% | 47.7% |
| 2023 | 1.6% | 49.1% |
| 2024 | 4.3% | 45.9% |
| 2025 | 42.9% | 45.5% |
In education, employment or training 88.5%NEET 5.5%Destination not known 6.1%
Percentage of the academic-age 16–17 cohort recorded as not in education, employment or training.
Source: Department for Education · 2026
Checked 3 October 2026
Average of December 2025, January 2026 and February 2026 returns. DfE management information: local authority tracking completeness varies. Unknown activity must not be presented as confirmed NEET. National rates are published rounded to one decimal; local rates shown to one decimal for consistent presentation.
PortsmouthEngland
Pupil enrolments aged 5–15 missing 50% or more of possible sessions across the full academic year; state-funded primary, state-funded secondary and special schools.
Source: Department for Education · 2024/25
Checked 3 October 2026
Projects and commitments
No tracked projects are assigned to this pillar yet. The council has not published a pillar-by-pillar project list.
Council Plan commitments (3)
- improving education outcomes in the city (5a)
- creating a model for youth provision that helps young people have access to opportunities and to develop their skills (5b)
- improving the timeliness of education, health and care plans (3c)
Linking these to the pillar is UK Stat Pack analysis; the Council Plan does not map them.
More verified figures
42.9%
New EHC plans issued within 20 weeks — including exceptions
% · 2025
Use the same exceptions basis for all comparisons. Excluding exceptions is the DfE release headline.
2,616
Active education, health and care plans
plans · January 2026
Includes early years, further education and children educated elsewhere. This is not the number or share of school pupils with an EHC plan.
5.5%
16–17 year olds known to be NEET
% · 2026
Average of December 2025, January 2026 and February 2026 returns. DfE management information: local authority tracking completeness varies. Unknown activity must not be presented as confirmed NEET. National rates are published rounded to one decimal; local rates shown to one decimal for consistent presentation.
12.75%
Persistent absence — primary
% · 2024/25
0.95%
Severe absence — primary
% · 2024/25