Portsmouth High School | Independent Girls School, Southsea, Hampshire
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Welcome to Portsmouth High School

“The school is highly successful in providing an excellent education and fully meets its aims to encourage pupils’ academic success and personal development within a positive and supportive environment.”
ISI Report 2015

At Portsmouth High School the well-being of all our girls is the first priority. Girls learn best when they feel safe, secure and happy in a school environment where they know professional help, advice and guidance is at hand every day.

Each girl is nurtured, encouraged and challenged. We take time to get to know each one of our pupils as an individual, helping to build her confidence and leadership skills in preparation for the future.

I can proudly say that Portsmouth High School also has an enviable reputation for academic success whether that is at the Prep or Senior School. Each summer we celebrate impressive examination results both at A Level and GCSE. We credit our success to the hard work of our girls, specialist teachers, disciplined classes and highly regarded, traditional courses, which give our girls a firm foundation for academic excellence.

Our Prep School is set in wonderful grounds with plenty of space for the girls to play and discover the outdoor classroom. This lively environment is an exciting place to learn and there are many opportunities to participate in clubs and activities that extend and enrich the school day. During their time here girls are prepared very well for the next stage of senior school.

Our Senior School is a vibrant and thriving environment for creative arts, music and sports. A year round calendar of drama productions and art exhibitions showcases the girls’ creative abilities whilst ensembles, orchestras and choirs cater for all levels of musical talent – our girls have performed at prestigious concert venues everywhere from Salzburg to southern Italy to New York. Girls excel in all areas of the curriculum and, unencumbered by subject stereotyping, are just as likely to choose sciences and mathematics as they are arts based subjects.

We nurture the talents of our up-and-coming sports stars and offer a huge variety of sporting options from trampolining to cricket, as well as making the most of our location by the sea by offering popular sailing courses.

Why not find out more about Portsmouth High School and the opportunities on offer here? Do request a prospectus or arrange a visit through our Admissions Registrar who will be pleased to help. We look forward to welcoming you and your daughter to our busy school.

Jane Prescott
Headmistress, Portsmouth High School

Jane's Biography

Jane Prescott was appointed Headmistress in September 2011 and has spent much of her career at independent girls’ schools.

She believes in educating the whole person and developing in children an intellectual curiosity that inspires a lifelong love of learning. As a classroom teacher of geography she is committed to encouraging children to become analytical thinkers and to face their own challenges. Jane sees that a teacher’s role should ensure that girls become confident, happy and well-equipped to take advantage of every opportunity.

Jane is President of the Girls’ School Association which represents the Heads of a diverse range of both day and boarding independent UK girls’ schools, including many of the top performing schools in the country. Jane has been an independent school inspector for many years and is a governor of a local independent prep school. She is also a governor and trustee of a local maintained sector school and a trustee for the Kings Theatre in Southsea.

Jane is married to Jeremy and they have two sons and a daughter, who all attended single-sex schools, and they now live locally in Southsea. A passionate, if not accomplished golfer, she likes to spend time visiting golf courses.

Read more from the Head's Blog

Next steps

Pre-school girls playing with bubbles at Nursery in Southsea, Hampshire

Pre-School
Ages 3-4

A leading independent Pre-School in Southsea preparing girls for entry into Portsmouth High Prep School’s Reception Class
Independent school, Portsmouth High School, girl holding beaker in science

Prep School
Ages 4-11

An oasis in the heart of the city where girls make excellent progress through an explorer’s approach to learning in preparation for Senior School
Independent school, Portsmouth High School, girl on drums

Senior School
Ages 11-16

An enviable reputation for academic success, co-curricular opportunities and pastoral care which is second to none
Independent school, Portsmouth High School, Sixth form girls celebrate exam results

Sixth Form
Ages 17-18

The chance to pursue your academic interests in a new phase of independence offering an ideal preparation for university, the world of work and for life
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