The Petersfield School

Since 2016, Mark Marande BA MA. Previously deputy head at Priory School in Southsea where he began his teaching career. Hampshire born and bred, this ‘ambitious’ head with ‘an incredible reputation’ may not have physically moved far from his roots

Academically non-selective, with 260 places in year 7. Priority to looked after children, siblings, those living within catchment who attend one of eight linked primary schools then distance. While not oversubscribed from its rural catchment in the

No sixth form means all pupils depart post GCSE. Around 20 per cent to school’s linked sixth form, Bohunt Sixth Form, in Liphook. Others mainly to sixth form colleges including Godalming, Havant and South Downs and Peter Symmonds. Excellent careers

In 2025, 33 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 63 per cent 9-5 in both English and maths.

‘We teach to the top,’ says head, which aligns with school’s culture of high expectations, providing challenge and developing resilience. ‘We don’t lower the bar, we help every pupil to reach it.’ Pupils told us the teachers ‘make us think hard and

Fifteen per cent of pupils are on the SEN register, mostly for dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, autism and physical disabilities; 47 EHCPs when we visited. Strong praise for the ‘very organised’ SENCo and her 15-strong team (deputy SENCo, provision

‘Teaching is a given; it’s the stuff around the edges that makes TPS special,’ said a parent. Everyone we spoke to agreed that the vast extracurricular opportunities were ‘something else’ – including opportunities to learn to sail, scuba dive and

Lots of it, and ‘we’re good at it too’, say pupils. But it’s not just the sporty kids who get involved, with parents saying ‘it’s very inclusive’. ‘The effort they put into taking pupils to fixtures is phenomenal,’ we also heard. ‘I don’t think

Pastoral care is a strength here – delivered by tutors (around 26 pupils in a tutor group) and progress leaders (one academic and one pastoral for each year group). Pupils told us about ‘safe space classrooms’ that are open and staffed at all times

A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.

Full of enthusiasm and delightfully chatty, our guides were fantastic ambassadors for TPS, while all pupils we came across were polite, respectful and appreciative of the many opportunities afforded to them. ‘They have a vibe of being proud of their

A truly outstanding school helping pupils to achieve their best through hard work, high aspirations and a culture where ‘opportunities to fly’ are part and parcel of the TPS experience. Pupils and parents are clear that ‘kids can have it all’ here.