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  • Portsmouth High School
    25 Kent Road
    Southsea
    Hampshire
    PO5 3EQ
  • Head: Sarah Parker
  • T 023 9282 6714
  • F 023 9281 4814
  • E [email protected]
  • W www.portsmouthhigh.co.uk
  • A mainstream independent school for girls aged from 11 to 18 with a linked prep school
  • Boarding: No
  • Local authority: Portsmouth
  • Pupils: 499; sixth formers: 79
  • Religion: Non-denominational
  • Fees: £18,108 pa

    Fees last updated: 09/05/2024

    Please note school fees are subject to VAT from January 2025. During this transition period, please contact school for full fee information.

  • Open days: March, June and September
  • Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
  • Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
  • Linked schools: Portsmouth High Prep School

What says..

Girls are taught to think on their feet and to recognise that they don’t have to be perfect. Regular dialogues with parents and pupils about homework stress. They are encouraged to spend time sitting and chatting with friends as well as joining in activities. Portsmouth is the smallest school in the Trust and parents love the combination of the warm family atmosphere but with the benefits and support of the wider GDST. They love the ‘give it a go’ attitude and inclusive approach...

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What the school says...

Our school aims to foster an atmosphere of ambition and enterprise. A devoted advocate for single sex education, our headmistress says there is no subject stereotyping. Girls are encouraged to develop their own voice and views, and this inspires a confidence to take risks and tackle new challenges. We recognise pupils as individuals and aim to nurture both intellect and wellbeing. This focus on wellbeing enables each girl to become the best she can be. We are one of 25 GDST schools and therefore have the benefit of belonging to a network hugely experienced in girls’ learning. ...Read more

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Other features

All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.

What The Good Schools Guide says

Headmistress

Since September 2024, Sarah Parker, previously deputy headmistress since 2020. Before that, she was at Harrogate Ladies’ College, first as head of English then deputy head. She has also been head of sixth form. She studied English at Oxford and has a PGCE from Durham.

Entrance

Selective for average ability and above. Most join in year 7, with other entry points into year 9 and the sixth form. Entrance tests in maths and English and an activities afternoon or experience day plus a reference from the pupil’s current school. About 40 per cent come from the prep school and this is an almost seamless transition. Others from local prep schools such as Oakwood School and state primaries.

Up to 10 girls join the sixth form. Entry requirements vary depending on A level...

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Please note: Independent schools frequently offer IGCSEs or other qualifications alongside or as an alternative to GCSE. The DfE does not record performance data for these exams so independent school GCSE data is frequently misleading; parents should check the results with the schools.

Who came from where

Who goes where

Special Education Needs

We have a small number of girls throughout the school who have Special Education Needs (primarily Dyslexia). We have a dedicated Learning Support Teacher who is able to assess pupils' needs and provide the appropriate support.

Condition Provision for in school
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Aspergers
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders
CReSTeD registered for Dyslexia
Dyscalculia
Dysgraphia
Dyslexia
Dyspraxia
English as an additional language (EAL)
Genetic
Has an entry in the Autism Services Directory
Has SEN unit or class Y
HI - Hearing Impairment
Hospital School
Mental health
MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment
Natspec Specialist Colleges
OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability
Other SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
PD - Physical Disability
PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication
SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Special facilities for Visually Impaired
SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
VI - Visual Impairment

Who came from where


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