Ark Dickens Primary Academy vs St Edmund's Catholic School
A head-to-head comparison of two schools in South East, England, 730 m apart, using official English 2025 data. The better value in each row is highlighted.
Ark Dickens Primary Academy
Portsmouth · Academy primary · Ages 2–11
446 students
St Edmund's Catholic School
Portsmouth · Local authority secondary · Ages 11–16
1,157 students
| Measure | Ark Dickens Primary Academy Portsmouth, South East | St Edmund's Catholic School Portsmouth, South East |
|---|---|---|
| Success Index (England) | 33 Lower 50% | 80 Top 25% |
| Region rank | #1946 of 2,471 | #156 of 679 |
| National rank | #11733 of 15,697 | #624 of 4,090 |
| Sector | Academy | Local authority |
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
| Year range | Ages 2–11 | Ages 11–16 |
| Students | 446 | 1,157 |
| Pupils on roll | 446 | 1,157 |
| Free school meals | 54.8% | 28.4% |
| Capacity filled | 92.9% | 96.4% |
| KS2 expected standard (RWM) | 67% | – |
| KS2 higher standard (RWM) | 0% | – |
| KS2 reading progress | – | – |
| KS2 writing progress | – | – |
| KS2 maths progress | – | – |
| Attainment 8 | – | 58.9 |
| Progress 8 | – | – |
| Grade 5+ English & maths | – | 70.9% |
| Grade 4+ English & maths | – | 86.5% |
| EBacc average points | – | 5.42 |
| A level points per entry | – | – |
| town | Portsmouth | Portsmouth |
| region | South East | South East |
| Website | www.arkdickensprimary.org/ | www.saintedmunds.org.uk |
The verdict
- •St Edmund's Catholic School scores higher on the Success Index (England) (79.9 vs 32.5).
- •St Edmund's Catholic School is the larger school with 1,157 students compared with 446.
- •Ark Dickens Primary Academy is a academy school while St Edmund's Catholic School is a local authority school, so fees and admission rules differ.
The Success Index (England) summarises published results and context from official data. It does not measure teaching quality or fit. Methodology.
Free academic assessment
Torn between two schools? Start with your child.
Whichever you choose, a free Success Tutoring assessment shows exactly where your child is in English and Maths and how to get ahead before the next school year.
- Personalised learning plan mapped to the Australian Curriculum
- English & Maths from Kindergarten to Year 12
- Flexible memberships, no lock-in contracts
- Centres across NSW, VIC, QLD, WA, SA and ACT
Frequently asked questions
Is Ark Dickens Primary Academy better than St Edmund's Catholic School?
On the Success Index (England), St Edmund's Catholic School ranks higher (79.9 vs 32.5 out of 100). The index is built from published results and context data, not from teaching quality or fit, so visit both schools before deciding.
How far apart are Ark Dickens Primary Academy and St Edmund's Catholic School?
About 730 m in a straight line, between Portsmouth and Portsmouth in South East.
Which has the better Pupils on roll?
Ark Dickens Primary Academy: 446. St Edmund's Catholic School: 1,157. Number of pupils in the latest school census.
How do Ark Dickens Primary Academy and St Edmund's Catholic School rank in South East?
Ark Dickens Primary Academy is 1946th of 2,471 and St Edmund's Catholic School is 156th of 679 among primary schools in South East on the 2025 Success Index (England).