Portsmouth High School, founded in 1882, is part of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST), the leading family of independent girls’ schools in the UK. As a charity that owns and runs 24 schools and two academies, the GDST reinvests all its income in its schools. For further information about the Trust, see p. xxiii or visit www.gdst.net. Additional information about the school may be found on the school’s website and a digital prospectus can be downloaded via the ‘Request a Prospectus’ button.
Number of pupils. 360 are in the senior school (11–18), 150 in the prep school (rising 3–11).
Portsmouth High School is committed to the wellbeing of each individual pupil and has a dedicated wellbeing centre, Daffodil House, at the senior school. The school is ambitious for every pupil enabling each girl to become the best version of herself. Each girl is encouraged to develop her own voice and her own views and to understand and build on her strengths. There is an atmosphere of achievement across the curriculum and examination results are consistently excellent.
Just a 5-minute walk from the sea, the school attracts pupils from an extensive area of Hampshire, West Sussex and the Isle of Wight. All major transport providers serve the locality and the school runs its own extensive minibus service.
The senior school provides a broad and balanced education supported by an ongoing capital investment programme to ensure teaching spaces are bright and modern. Most recently, the garden area at the senior school was re-landscaped, and an expanded teaching and play area for Pre-School and Reception Class at the prep school were added to the portfolio of improvement.
A partnership with the University of Portsmouth gives the school joint use of the university’s Langstone sports ground facilities, and the school also has use of the new Ravelin Park Centre which houses a swimming pool and fitness centre.
The Sixth Form. Students have their own dedicated space in Sixth Form House which has a large common room, kitchen and separate rooms for private study. Students do not wear uniform and instead have a smart ‘Dress for Work’ code.
The Prep School. The prep school is located 2 minutes’ walk away in a wonderful Thomas Ellis Owen period house with extensive gardens including 2 netball courts, an all-weather sports pitch, an outdoor classroom and a range of other indoor and outdoor facilities. This is a school where intellectual curiosity is developed and girls enjoy a unique explorer approach to learning through a range of opportunities, both inside and outside the classroom.
The curriculum. The aim at Portsmouth High School is to foster in each girl the confidence to take risks and tackle new challenges, within an atmosphere of ambition and enterprise, through providing appropriate teaching, advice and support. The focus on girls’ learning is reflected in the design of learning spaces; the use of digital technology; a challenging and rewarding curriculum and a focus on pupils taking responsibility for their learning and having the confidence to take intellectual risks.
Co-curricular activities. There is an extensive programme of co-curricular activities in both the prep and senior schools. The lunchtime and after-school clubs range from robotics to public speaking and the programme is responsive to the interests of the pupils themselves.
There is an enthusiastic involvement in music, art, sport and drama with many performances and fixtures throughout the school calendar for prep and senior girls. Senior girls have the opportunity to become involved in The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme as well as a sixth form enrichment programme. There are regular overseas trips, sports and music tours.
Admission procedures/Entrance examinations. At 11+ and 13+ entry the examinations in mathematics and English are designed to test potential rather than knowledge. In addition to the 11+ examinations, all girls take part in a series of team activities in school. At 13+, girls take part in an experience day and are interviewed by the Head.
Sixth-form entry is based on having at least English, mathematics and science GCSEs and applicants are invited for interview. Entry into the prep school is based on experience days, observations and reports from current schools.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Autumn term 2024 – Senior School: £5,737; Prep School: Years 3–6 £4,076, Pre-School to Year 2: £3,092. Spring term 2025 (addition of VAT) – Senior School: £6,426, Prep School: Years 3–6 £4,565, Pre-School to Year 2: £3,463.
The fees in the prep school include wraparound care from 7.30 am to 6.00 pm daily. The fees also cover the regular curriculum, school books, non-residential curriculum trips, stationery and other materials, public examinations, choral music, games and swimming. The fees for extra subjects, including individual lessons in instrumental music and speech training, are available on request.
Scholarships and bursaries. Bursaries are means tested and are intended to ensure that the school remains accessible to bright girls who would be unable to enter the school without financial assistance.
Academic, sport, music, art and drama scholarships are available for 11+ and 13+. At sixth form (16+) art, drama and sport scholarships are available. Please see the scholarships and bursaries page on the school website for further details.
Charitable status. Portsmouth High School is part of The Girls’ Day School Trust, Registered Charity number 306983.
Governors & Staff:
Chair of the School Governing Board: Commodore C Palmer (Chair) CBE LVO, BSc, FCMI, FRAeS
Headmistress: Mrs S Parker, MA Hons, PGCE
Deputy Head (Pastoral): Mr R Smith, BA Hons, MA, CMDA; Deputy Head (Academic): Miss A Davies, BSc, GTP
Headmaster, Prep School: Mr P Marshallsay, BA Ed
Admissions Registrars: Mrs C Thomson, BSc Hons, Mrs F Cox