Careers education at Portsmouth High School is a central strand of the curriculum, not an optional add-on.
From the earliest years in the Prep School, girls begin to explore the world of work, which is still unusual in many primary settings but recognised nationally as important for raising aspirations. This early foundation is then built on progressively as pupils move up the school, helping them make informed choices at each stage of their education.
PHS draws extensively on its alumnae network so that pupils regularly hear from women working in a wide range of fields, including finance, technology, engineering, law, the arts and entrepreneurship. Careers evenings, visiting speakers and networking events are a regular feature, alongside visits to major employers such as BP, Estée Lauder and Williams Formula One, which help students see cutting-edge workplaces first-hand and broaden their horizons.
A fully qualified careers teacher, Mrs Sammy Davies, leads this work, ensuring expert, impartial guidance that meets best-practice expectations for careers education. Careers learning is woven through lessons, PSHE and enrichment, equipping girls with the knowledge, skills and resilience to meet one of our school’s mission aims: ‘Equipping girls to have the confidence to go forward in a challenging world.’