Portsmouth High School, Southsea
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| Portsmouth High School | |
|---|---|
 Entrance to the school | |
| Address | |
 | |
Kent Road , , PO5 3EQ | |
| Information | |
| Type | Independent day school |
| Established | 1882 |
| Founder | Girls' Public Day School Trust |
| Chairman of Governors | Mrs Anne McMeehan-Roberts |
| Headmistress | Mrs Jane Prescott |
| Gender | Girls |
| Age | 4 to 18 |
| Enrollment | ~440 (Currently 427)[1] |
| Colour(s) | Maroon and Gold |
| Affiliation | Girls' Day School Trust |
| Former Students' Association | GDST Alumni |
| Website | http://www.portsmouthhigh.co.uk/ |
Portsmouth High School is an independent day school for girls in Southsea, a district in the southern coastal city of Portsmouth, England. Founded by the Girls' Public Day School Trust in 1882, it is one of the Trust's smaller schools.
The Good Schools Guide described the school as "a super no-frills choice: big enough to appeal to almost any girl, but not at the expense of the personal touch".[2]
History
Portsmouth High School was founded by the Girls' Public Day School Trust (now the Girls' Day School Trust) in 1882. The school moved to its present premises on Kent Road in Southsea in 1885, when the building was opened by Princess Louise. Dovercourt, the house built and lived in by the Southsea architect Thomas Ellis Owen, was acquired for the Junior School in 1927. During World War II the school was evacuated to two country houses in Hampshire, Hinton Ampner (Junior Pupils) and Adhurst St Mary (Senior Pupils), and became a boarding school for six years. After the war, the school became a direct grant grammar school under the Education Act 1944 and became independent during the mid-1970s when the scheme was abolished.
In 2011, the school was awarded the ICT Mark by the National Association for Advisors in Computer Education (Naace) and commended for its approach to technology in education as "excellent and reflects the holistic educational approach".[3] In the same year Portsmouth High School accepted the British Council ‘International School Award’ for the school’s involvement in an impressive range of international projects. The school had successfully managed seven international projects over the period of a year involving a cross-curricular approach including pupils and staff across the school. A large focus was working with other local schools in an exciting ‘Connecting Classrooms’ project. The pupils corresponded with children in Africa (Senegal and Ethiopia) in French and in English and worked on a variety of activities including informing Senegalese and Ethiopian schools about environmental issues both locally and nationally. The award runs from 2011-2014. More information here http://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/International-School-Award.[4]
Academics
Portsmouth High has an excellent academic track record in examinations.[5] In 2013 percentage number of A levels graded A or A* was 56% and the number of A Levels graded A* to B was 89% making it highest achieving school locally and number 100 of independent schools nationally. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/leaguetables/10262340/A-level-results-2013-Independent-schools-results-table.html
Notable former pupils
- Samantha Davies, Yachtswoman
- Kirsty Dillon, actress[6]
- Meg (Margaret) Hillier, Labour MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch
- Rachel Lloyd, sex trafficking abolitionist and founder of Girls Educational and Mentoring Services
- Sarah McCarthy-Fry, Politician[7]
- Gemma Spofforth, Olympic swimmer
- Dr. Frances Saunders, Senior Civil Servant and scientist
- Dr Jane Collins, Chief Executive, Marie Curie Cancer Care
- Dr Katharine Vincent, Expert on Sustainability and Climate Change
- Jane Hill, Author and broadcaster
- Fleur Emery, Entrepreneur Founder of Grasshopper Foods, Green & Pleasant Drinks and Emery Barnard Design.
- Charlotte Jackson British journalist and television presenter
- Margaret Rock, Bletchley Park Codebreaker (1903-1983) http://www.bletchleyparkresearch.co.uk/2012/12/13/margaret-rock-bletchley-park-codebreaker/
References
- ^ [1], Portsmouth High School GDST on the Independent Schools Council website.
- ^ Profile on the Good Schools Guide
- ^ "Southsea school wins computing award". The News. 27 July 2011.
- ^ "Top award for globally minded Portsmouth High School girls". The News. 29 October 2011.
- ^ "GCSEs: Portsmouth High School". The News. 26 August 2009.
- ^ "Midsomer Murders star is proud of her Pompey roots". The News. 16 March 2011.
- ^ "'I did believe I could win. So although losing was not a surprise it was disappointing". The News. 29 May 2010.
External links
- Official website
- Profile on MyDaughter
- Profile on the ISC website
- ISI Inspection Reports
- Profile on the GDST website