BURSARIES & SCHOLARSHIPS
Portsmouth High School is part of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST), where at any one time, 10% of pupils across the 23 fee-paying senior schools’ network are receiving a level of financial support.
Senior School Bursaries
A number of means-tested bursaries are available for pupils entering Year 7 or Year 12.
From full bursaries – which include fees, uniform and other extras to allow your daughter to be a part of everything that a Portsmouth High School (GDST) education offers – through to smaller, tailored financial assistance packages, we are keen to support as many girls as possible.
There may be strong competition for bursaries, and they are therefore awarded on the basis of financial eligibility and academic potential – that is, high achievement in the 11+ entrance assessment for Year 7 entry, or 16+ assessments and GCSE results for Sixth Form entry. We want girls who show academic merit and potential to join our school.
Applying for a Bursary
Complete a school application form
Complete a school application form
Confirmation of your family’s residency status
Confirmation of your family’s residency status
Declaration of income and assets
Declaration of income and assets
Assessment of eligibility
An assessment of your eligibility will be carried out by the GDST Financial Assistance Department.
Assessment of eligibility
Entrance Assessment at Portsmouth High School (GDST)
Entrance Assessment at Portsmouth High School (GDST)
Confirmation of decision
Applicants will be notified whether they qualify for a bursary and if so, the value of that award at the time of a place being offered.
Confirmation of decision
Please note, we try to assist as many families qualifying for a bursary as possible; however, demand is high, and we are often unable to support all of those who are eligible. The GDST centrally assess applications and will tell the school of the outcome.
Bursary Application Results
If the applicant is awarded a bursary, it is expected that this will remain throughout their time at Portsmouth High School from when they join us to the completion of their A-level studies in Year 13. The value of the award will be reviewed by the GDST annually around April and is dependent on continuing good progress and conduct.
Please scroll down to our FAQs section for any further questions you might have about our bursary programme.
Senior School Scholarships
Portsmouth High School offer Academic, Art, Drama, Music and Sport scholarships on entry either to Year 7, Year 9 or to the Sixth Form. Scholarships do not have a particularly high monetary value but are a prestigious award.
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Academic Scholarships
Our Academic Scholarships are awarded on academic merit and every girl who sits our entrance exam is automatically eligible – so a special application is not required. These scholarships are not means-tested, and so their award represents the honour of being an Academic Scholar, rather than having a significant monetary value.
Art Scholarships
A Portsmouth High School Art Scholar will be able to demonstrate an outstanding ability in art, particularly through their creativity, imagination, strong observational drawing skills and evidence of the appropriate use of specialist language and concepts in the appreciation of art.
Drama Scholarships
A Drama Scholar will be a confident actor and may have experience of being part of theatre groups, performing on stage as part of a school or youth drama group, or have taken part in other community theatre activities. This could involve elements of drama, dance and singing.
Sport Scholarships
Sports Scholars at 11+ will have an outstanding ability in one sport, or the potential to represent the school in several sports. Scholars are expected to attend regular training and contribute to the co-curricular programme.
Music Scholarships
Music Scholars at 11+ will be performing at above-average standard for their age and will have a range of experience in performing at school concerts, carol services and community theatre. They will usually have passed music exams with merit and distinction and at high grade levels and will be expected to play a full part in the musical life of our school.
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Academic Scholarships
Academic Scholarships are also available for 13+ entry. Following the examination, candidates will attend an interview with the Head. Every girl who sits our 13+ entrance exam will be automatically eligible – so a special application is not required.
Art Scholarships
A Portsmouth High School Art Scholar will be able to demonstrate an outstanding ability in art, particularly through their creativity, imagination, strong observational drawing skills and evidence of the appropriate use of specialist language and concepts in the appreciation of art.
Sport Scholarships
Sports Scholars at 13+ will have an outstanding ability in one sport, or the potential to represent the school in several sports. Scholars are expected to attend regular training and contribute to the co-curricular programme.
Music Scholarships
Music Scholars at 13+ will be performing at above-average standard for their age and will have a range of experience in performing at school concerts, carol services and community theatre. They will usually have passed music exams with merit and distinction and at high grade levels and will be expected to play a full part in the musical life of our school.
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At 16+, we offer two-year Sixth Form Academic Scholarships along with scholarships in Art, Drama, Music and Sport. We invite applications for our Sixth Form Scholarships during the autumn term of Year 11, with scholarship assessments taking place in early December.
Bursary and Scholarship FAQs
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The key difference is that a bursary is means-tested and a scholarship isn’t. We offer bursaries so that a GDST education is accessible to the best and the brightest girls, including those who are not in a position to pay full fees.
A bursary takes into account academic ability but its value is directly related to the income and financial resources of the pupil’s family.
Scholarships are awarded purely on academic (or sporting, or artistic, or musical) merit, as measured in a competitive entrance exam, and take no account of family income or resources.
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GDST bursaries and scholarships are available to any student aged 11 and over at a GDST senior school. Most bursaries and scholarships are allocated on entry either to Year 7 or to the sixth form.
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Bursaries range from 30% to 100% of fees; however, the amount of any bursary depends on local demand and the funding available. Sometimes awards of a lesser value may be offered. Pupils who get a full bursary may also get help to meet the cost of their uniforms, lunches and travel.
The values of scholarships vary, but are generally small and more about the honour of the award than the amount given. A scholarship may, however, be supplemented by a bursary.
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To assess who is eligible for a bursary we consider a range of objective criteria including the income and capital resources of the families applying. It is anticipated that bursary awards will last for the duration of the student’s time at school. We re-assess every year to take account of significant changes in family income and circumstances. A bursary may go up or down to reflect these. This ensures those most in need receive our support.
For more information on eligibility criteria for bursary applications, and how to apply, please see the GDST website at https://www.gdst.net/about-us/fees-and-bursaries/
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Very rarely, the school may withdraw a bursary or scholarship if, for example, you provide inaccurate information, or your child’s behaviour or work is unsatisfactory.
Applicants will be notified whether they qualify for a bursary and if so, the value of that award at the time of a place being offered.
