The Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth is located in southern England working with 13 local education authorities, including Hampshire, Southampton, Oxford and Portsmouth, as well as the States of Guernsey and Jersey.  Altogether there are 68 Catholic schools across the diocese, two of which are joint Catholic/Anglican schools, and one a joint Catholic/Ecumenical school.  Data from the most recent CES census (2025) shows there are over 30,000 pupils in our schools being taught by 2,240 teachers and 1,683 support staff.  52% of the pupils are Catholic with the rest coming from other Christian traditions (27%), other faiths (8%) or none or not known (13%).  We are blessed with pupils and staff from a range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. We welcome and value them all.

All schools whether maintained or independent are divided into geographical partnership areas; many of which are named after a patron saint. The partnerships work together to share good practise, support one another and foster a sense of belonging. Many of the partnership areas share their name with the Catholic Academy Trust that schools in that area will join if they wish or are directed to become an academy.

In the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth the work of the schools come under the Vicariate for Education and Chaplaincy which is led by Canon PJ Smith, Episcopal Vicar for Education and Chaplaincy. The Catholic Academies and Schools Office (CASO), led by the Director for Education, ensures on behalf of the Bishop (cf. CIC 803.1) that all the Catholic schools of our Diocese (independent, maintained voluntary aided and maintained academies) operate as ‘Catholic schools’ in accordance with both canon and civil law.

The Frassati Partnership operates under the patronage of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and consists of 17 maintained schools or academies and 5 independent schools.  The Frassati Partnership is situated in the north of the diocese and includes schools from within seven local authority areas.

The Mother Teresa Partnership operates under the patronage of Saint Teresa of Calcutta and consists of 9 maintained schools or academies 8 within Hampshire and one on the Hampshire/Surrey border.  Four of our Catholic independent schools are also part of the Mother Teresa Partnership.  The schools in the partnership are located in the areas of Aldershot, Andover, Basingstoke, Farnborough, Farnham and Winchester.

The Newman Partnership operates under the patronage of Saint John Henry Newman.  The 12 maintained schools in the partnership are located in the south west corner of the diocese, covering Bournemouth, Chandler’s Ford, Christchurch, Fareham, Lymington and Southampton.

The Edith Stein Partnership operates under the patronage of Saint Edith Stein and consists of 10 maintained schools and academies in the south east corner of the diocese.  This covers, Fareham, Gosport, Havant, Portsmouth and Waterlooville.

We have six schools on the island, two of which are joint Catholic and Anglican schools.

A decision has not yet been made on the patron saint for the island group.

Across the Channel Islands we have 6 schools, the majority are independent schools but two are maintained by the States of Guernsey.

A decision has not yet been made on the patron saint for the Channel Islands group of schools.

Across the diocese we have 13 independent schools, including preparatory schools, secondary schools, and all-through schools, many with a long history linked to a variety of founders.  They are gathered under the patronage of Saint John Paul II.

Within the area served by BCP local authority, we have 4 schools (1 all through school and 3 primaries).

Within the area served by Southampton local authority, we have 6 schools (2 secondaries, and 4 primaries (including 1 independent).

Within the area served by Portsmouth local authority, we have 5 schools (1 secondary and 4 primaries).