Information for Parents 2014/2015

11

Information for parents 2014/2015

www.pgs.org.uk 32 023 9236 0036 | [email protected]

‘All experience is an arch wherethroughGleams that untravelled world’

Tennyson

Admissions at PGS

Nursery Admissions page 4

Junior School Admissions page 4

Senior School & Sixth Form Admissions page 5

Entry Assessments

Nursery page 6

Junior School page 6

Senior School at 11+ page 7

Senior School at 13+ page 8

Sixth Form page 9

Scholarships & Means-tested Bursaries page 10

School Fees page 12

Travelling to School page 14

School Uniform page 16

Visiting the School page 16

Further Information page 18

Open Events & Contacts page 19

Contents


We are happy to do all that we can to support prospective families in finding out more about the opportunities on offer at The Portsmouth Grammar School and to experience what makes this such a friendly and vibrant school.

We are fully co-educational throughout the school, which means that girls and boys can join from the age of 2½ in the Nursery. Other main points of entry are 4+, 7+, 11+, 13+ and 16+. We may also be able to offer places in intermediate year groups and are experienced in supporting families who are relocating to the area from other parts of the UK or overseas.

We hope that the information in this booklet helps to guide you through our admissions process.

If you wish to apply to The Portsmouth Grammar School please visit our website, www.pgs.org.uk, where you will find an online application form.

Our Admissions team will be able to help you with any questions.

WelcomeChoosing the right school for your child is a very important process.

Nursery

Mrs Wendy Heyes is the Nursery Registrar and she can be contacted by telephoning

023 9268 1337 or by e-mail at [email protected]

Junior School

Mrs Gill Bull is the Junior School Registrar and she can be contacted by telephoning

023 9236 4219 or by email at [email protected]

Senior School and Sixth Form

Mrs Jacqueline Hunt is the Senior School Registrar and she can be contacted by telephoning



Nursery Admissions

The Portsmouth Grammar School aims to make the Nursery accessible to children and families throughout the community.

Applications are welcomed from all who wish to attend, and who feel able to support its aims. In order to accomplish this, the Nursery will provide an opportunity for parents to visit with their child, when all the relevant information will be provided. Places are allocated in date order from receipt of a registration form. If necessary, the Head of the Nursery will arrange a waiting list. The Nursery will provide equality of opportunity and access for all children regardless of gender, culture, religion or Special Educational Needs (SEN). The Portsmouth Grammar School Nursery accepts Nursery Education Grant (NEG).

Junior School Admissions

PhilosophyThe Portsmouth Grammar Junior School is committed to operating a fair and transparent admissions policy that provides an equal opportunity for all children to have their potential identified.

Aims• To offer places to those children we feel would

thrive in the Junior School environment. • To make the selection process as friendly

and relaxed as possible.

Practice 4+Pupils entering the school in Reception year are assessed in the January preceding entry. The children are assessed in small groups following a play afternoon the week before which is designed to familiarise them with the setting. A senior member of the Infant staff, supported by a Teaching Assistant, engages the children in a number of set activities observing amongst other things, behaviour, levels of interaction, sociability, fine motor skills and use of language. Based on these observations the senior member of staff will recommend to the Headmaster (Junior School) whether or not each child should be offered a place.

5+ to 10+Pupils may be assessed at any point during the year or at our assessment day, which takes place on the same day as the main 11+ assessments. The children are asked to complete assessments in Mathematics, English and Non Verbal Reasoning, identical to those taken annually by all Junior School pupils, except for those in Reception, in September. Standardised scores are derived and compared with the cohort average and year group guidelines to determine whether or not a place is offered. It would also be expected for each child to spend some time with their prospective peer group in order to observe levels of sociability and interaction.

From September 2015, pupils in the PGS Junior School will no longer sit the 11+ entrance assessments and their places in the Senior School will be confirmed by a programme of continuous assessment in the Junior School.

Admissions at PGS


Senior School Admissions

Candidates are admitted on the basis of ability and potential as determined by written assessment, current school reference, interview and the Headmaster’s discretion.

For entry in September 2015 11+ candidates will sit assessments in English, Mathematics, Reading Comprehension and Non Verbal Reasoning. Candidates are also interviewed on a separate occasion, normally a week or two prior to entrance assessments. In adopting this pattern, the school aims to put candidates at ease and, in doing so, increase the prospect that their true potential is reflected in their written performance.

Candidates with diagnosed conditions requiring additional time or other special measures are treated in accordance with the school’s Reasonable Adjustments and Disability and Additional Educational Needs policies. Details of the criteria for awarding extra time, which are based on the QCA guidelines for National Curriculum tests, are listed later in this booklet; they are also published on the school’s website and are available to all applicants. The admissions selection panel will, in addition to considering candidates’ interview and assessment performance, take notice of all references provided in support of a pupil’s application.

At 13+, candidates currently either sit Common Entrance or the school’s own 13+ assessments in English, Maths, a Modern Language and Science. Candidates are usually interviewed by a senior member of staff. References are required for all pupils applying for admission.

Since September 2010 the school has required all 13+ candidates to have taken our 11+ Entrance Assessments as a pre-test for the Common Entrance Examination two years previously. From September 2015, all candidates will sit the school’s own 13+ Entrance Assessments in the Spring Term prior to entry rather than via Common Entrance.

This is designed to ensure fairness to all our candidates and to manage the increasing popularity of the school. If a candidate is found to be of the required standard in the 11+ Assessments, a deposit of £1500 will be payable in order to secure a place subject to satisfactory performance in the subsequent Common Entrance Examinations or for all candidates from September 2015 onwards, our own 13+ Assessments. Candidates applying late for entry at 13+ via Common Entrance this year will be invited to sit the school’s own 13+ assessments, held in January 2015, as a form of pre-test.

Entry packs will be sent to all registered 11+ and 13+ candidates in advance of the Entrance Assessments. The packs include: a form to indicate the assessment date the candidate will attend, interview date and time, details of the assessment day and specimen papers.

At 16+, candidates are made conditional offers based on interviews with the Head of Sixth Form and a Senior Teacher, taking into account their predicted GCSE grades. The school would usually expect candidates to achieve at least four A grades or higher at GCSE or IGCSE in subjects relevant to those being studied at A level or at Higher Level for the IB Diploma, with a minimum of B grades in their other subjects. External candidates for the Sixth Form also sit a Non Verbal Reasoning paper and a Reading Comprehension. References from the candidate’s current school or college will also be taken into account.

At intermediate points of entry, a selection of the above methods is used in accordance with individual circumstances.

Whilst we always advise an application in time for the above dates, we understand that the decision to apply may be reached a little later. In these circumstances we are always pleased to show interested applicants around the school, arrange for interview and the appropriate assessments, subject to the availability of places.

All candidates receive formal notification of acceptance or otherwise in accordance with HMC guidelines.


Entry in to the Nursery

The PGS Nursery is an educational nursery as distinct from a child care facility. It provides early years education to enable children to achieve the Early Learning Goals adopted nationally.

Registrations are welcome from all who wish their child to attend an independent fee paying Nursery with the prospect of continuing their education at The Portsmouth Grammar School.

A visit to the Nursery can be arranged at any time prior to registration. Admission is confirmed upon receipt of the registration form, fee and booking form.

Each family is then invited to attend a play afternoon, during which parents, staff and children meet. A home visit and start date are organised and attendance dates and time are agreed.

A Nursery Education Grant is available for all children commencing at the beginning of the term following a child’s third birthday.

Entry in to the Junior School

4+In the January before starting at the school, Reception children are invited to attend a play afternoon to help familiarise them with the school and to meet other children and members of staff in an informal, fun activity session.

Each child is then invited to attend a further session on a separate occasion when they will spend some time with a senior member of the Infant School staff playing games to assess skills such as sorting, sequencing, ordering and matching.

5+, 6+, 7+, 8+, 9+, 10+At any point during the year a prospective pupil can be assessed for entry, and we also hold assessments on the same day as the main 11+ for the Senior School.

Assessments are in Maths, English and Non Verbal Reasoning, identical to those taken annually by all Junior School pupils (except for those in Reception) in September. From these we are able to compare results against the average for the year group your child would be entering to determine whether a place is offered.

Before joining the Junior School your child would also be invited to spend some time with their prospective classmates.

It is our aim to make the whole assessment procedure a positive and enjoyable experience for all pupils.


Entry in to the Senior School at 1 1+

We believe strongly in the importance of recognising each child’s academic potential and seek to gain as much insight as possible into their enthusiasm and curiosity, as well as their particular strengths and interests.

To help us in this, we invite each child to an interview and encourage them to bring an item of special interest to talk about. You can find out more about the PGS Interview Experience by watching the video on the school website, in the admissions/entrance-assessments section.

Then on a Saturday morning early in the Spring Term we invite girls and boys to sit assessments in Non Verbal Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Mathematics and English. We also request a reference from the child’s current school.

All candidates are automatically considered for scholarships and other academic awards. Means-tested bursaries are also available, subject to application in advance of the 11+ Assessment.

The 11+ interviews for September 2015 entry are on Saturday 10 January and Saturday 17 January 2015; the 11+ entrance assessment is on Saturday 24 January 2015.

Criteria for Awarding Extra Time in the 11+ Entrance AssessmentsThe information below sets out the circumstances under which The Portsmouth Grammar School will award 25% additional time in the 11+ Entrance Assessments each year.

Formal evidence, such as that provided by an Educational Psychologist, is required for extra time to be awarded. Tests used to produce evidence for the following criteria should be up-to-date, fully standardised tests that are age-appropriate and have a ceiling level at least equivalent to the chronological age of the pupil.

Evidence must have been obtained no earlier than the start of the previous school year (i.e. Year 5). However, if it relates to a physical disability or named medical condition (not including specific learning difficulties), a letter describing the physical or medical condition, written by a doctor, must accompany the application form.

Each application for additional time is considered against the criteria set out below and must be received with the entry form. To be eligible for 25% additional time, a pupil should meet at least three of the following criteria or statements:

A1: Reading speed (using a test of comprehension or single word reading which includes a reading speed i.e. accuracy with speed) in the below average range for the pupil’s age.

Below average here refers to a standardised score of below 85.

A2: Pupils increase their reading comprehension age by nine months or more when allowed 25% additional time to complete a timed reading test.

A3: Free writing speed of less than 10 words per minute.

Either a recognised test of writing speed should be carried out or a pupil should be asked to write for at least 10 minutes and the number of words written per minute calculated.

A4: A processing speed that is in the below average range for the pupil’s age.


A5: A significant discrepancy between cognitive ability and performance shown by at least high average verbal or non-verbal reasoning alongside below average literacy scores.

High average here refers to standardised scores of 110 or above, and below average to a standardised score of below 85.

Additional time is not appropriate when, for example, the pupil is working below the level of the test. Extra time is unlikely to be of any benefit to such pupils and, even with additional time, most questions will remain inaccessible to them.

These criteria were based on the National Curriculum standards used to determine Access Arrangements for Key Stage 2 examinations.


Entry in to the Senior School at 13+

For entry in 2015 we use the 1 1+ Entrance Assessments as a pre-test for girls and boys wishing to join the school at 13+. Conditional places will be offered based on the 11+ results and confirmed following the Common Entrance Examinations, which are sat in pupils’ current schools in Year 8. We believe that this helps families to plan ahead successfully for a change in their child’s school at 13+.

Those children who have missed taking our 11+ Assessments will be asked to take our 13+ Assessments as a pre-test. All places are dependent on satisfactory performance in the Common Entrance Examination in June of the year of entry.

Children who wish to join PGS at 13+ but who are not being prepared for Common Entrance Examinations in their current school sit our own 13+ Entrance Assessments. These involve an interview, a current school reference and written papers in English, Mathematics, Science and a Modern Language.

All candidates are automatically considered for academic scholarships and other academic awards; these may be awarded following the 13+ Assessments or, for those candidates who are pre-testing, in light of the Common Entrance Examinations results. Children may also apply for scholarships at 13+ in Art, Drama, Music and Sport (forms available from the Senior School Registrar). Some means-tested bursaries may also be available, subject to application in advance of assessment. Application forms are available from the Senior School Registrar or on the school website.

From September 2015 our 13+ entrance procedures have been reviewed to ensure fairness to all candidates and to manage the increased popularity of the school. All candidates will be required to take our 11+ Entrance Assessments as a pre-test for the 13+ Assessments.

If the results of the 11+ Assessments indicate that we should be able to offer a place following the 13+

Assessments in January of the year of entry, you will be requested to pay a deposit of £1500, which may be paid in three instalments, as an indication of your final choice of school. This deposit will be credited to your first term’s account if your child joins the school but, in the unlikely event that they fail to reach the qualifying standard in the 13+ Assessments, the deposit will be refunded. However, the deposit is not refundable should you decide to withdraw your application for a place after 1 January in the year preceding entry.

The 13+ interviews for September 2015 entry are on Monday 19 and Tuesday 20 January 2015; the 13+ entrance assessment is on Saturday 24 January 2015.

Criteria for Awarding Extra Time in the 13+ Entrance Assessments The information below sets out the circumstances under which The Portsmouth Grammar School will award 25% additional time in the 13+ Entrance Assessments each year.

In order to consider awarding extra time, written evidence of the need must be provided by the candidate’s current school and this should accompany formal evidence from an external specialist, such as an Educational Psychologist.

Tests used to produce evidence for the following criteria should be up-to-date, fully standardised tests that are age-appropriate and have a ceiling level at least equivalent to the chronological age of the pupil.

Evidence must have been obtained no earlier than the start of the previous school year (i.e. Year 7). However, if it relates to a physical disability or named medical condition (not including specific learning difficulties), a letter describing the physical or medical condition, written by a doctor, must accompany the application form.

Each application for additional time is considered against the criteria set out below and must be received with the application form. To be eligible for 25% additional time, a pupil should meet at least


two of the following criteria or statements:

A1: Reading speed (using a test of comprehension or single word reading which includes a reading speed i.e. accuracy with speed) in the below average range for the pupil’s age.


A2: Free writing speed of less than 14 words per minute.

Either a recognised test of writing speed should be carried out or a pupil should be asked to write for at least 10 minutes and the number of words written per minute calculated.

A3: A processing speed that is in the below average range for the pupil’s age.


A4: A significant discrepancy between cognitive ability and performance shown by at least high average verbal or non-verbal reasoning alongside below average literacy scores.

High average here refers to standardised scores of 110 or above, and below average to a standardised score of below 85.

Additional time is not appropriate when, for example, the pupil is working below the level of the test. Extra time is unlikely to be of any benefit to such pupils and, even with additional time, most questions will remain inaccessible to them.

These criteria are based on the Joint Council for Qualifications standards used to determine access arrangements for public examinations, such as GCSEs and A Levels.

Entry in to the Sixth Form at 16+

We invite all applicants for places in our Sixth Form to an interview morning which consists of two 20-25 minute interviews and a short aptitude test. These interviews take place in November of the year before entry. The interview process is affirming rather than challenging as it provides the opportunity to talk about subject choices and combinations, future aspirations, co-curricular interests and the Sixth Form experience.

The interview days for 2015 entry will be on the mornings of Saturday 15 November and Saturday 22 November 2014.

All offers are then despatched in early December. Offers are conditional upon GCSE performance with the same expectation for external applicants as for current pupils. The school would usually expect candidates to achieve at least four A grades or higher at GCSE or IGCSE in subjects relevant to those being studied at A Level or at Higher Level for the IB Diploma, with a minimum of B grades in their other subjects.

Whilst we always advise that applications are made in time for our November interview programme, we understand that the decision to apply may be reached a little later. In these circumstances we are always pleased to show interested applicants around the school and arrange for interview, subject to the availability of places.

All academic scholarships are awarded on the basis of GCSE performance. For Sixth Form entry, Art, Drama, Music and Sports scholarships are available and we encourage communication of interest upon application. A completed application with covering letter detailing experience and achievement would be appropriate.

Bursaries are awarded on a means-tested basis. Application forms for bursarial support are available from the Senior School Registrar, and on the school website. Decisions will be made and communicated by the end of February prior to September entry.

There are occasionally opportunities for bursarial support from external agencies such as the Ogden Trust. The Senior School Registrar will be able to advise applicants accordingly.


We provide an extensive programme of scholarships and means-tested bursaries in the Senior School from 11-18 years and are extremely grateful to all those whose generosity makes it possible for a growing number of pupils to join PGS each year, regardless of their financial situation.

Bursaries are entirely means-tested and reflect the outstanding academic potential of an individual pupil regardless of their ability to afford the school’s fees. Application for bursary support should be made by the December preceding the September of entry.

Scholarships are non means-tested and awarded to recognise exceptional academic or co-curricular ability. Where appropriate, these awards may be augmented by a means-tested bursary. All candidates are automatically considered for academic scholarships at 11+, 13+ and 16+.

Means-tested bursariesAt PGS, all bursaries are means-tested and, in some cases, can be worth up to 100% of fees. Those families wishing to apply for a means-tested bursary should complete the bursary application form and submit this when registering for a place. This form must be received by the December preceding the September entry date.

Requests for financial support usually fall into two categories:

• New applicants to the school, where a place has been offered but parents are unable to fund the tuition fees.

• Existing pupils where a change in parents’ circumstances has resulted in difficulty in meeting tuition fees and may result in the child being withdrawn part way through their PGS education.

ConfidentialityThe school respects the confidentiality of bursary awards made to families and recipients are expected to do likewise.

ScholarshipsA scholarship at PGS is a financial award based on merit and aptitude to offset the cost of school fees. It is not means-tested and these awards are primarily made for academic achievement in examination at 11+, 13+ and on entry into the Sixth Form based on the results of the GCSE examination. Additionally, scholarships can also be awarded for excellence in Art, Drama, Music and Sport at 13+ and at 16+. Existing PGS pupils may also apply for consideration for these awards once they become eligible during their time in the school.

Scholarships at 11+Scholarship awards are made to pupils entering Year 7 based on their performance in the school’s 11+ assessments usually taken in the January preceding the September entry. All pupils applying to enter the Senior School in Year 7, are automatically assessed for such awards and there are no special scholarship papers. There are four types of scholarship at 11+:

Scholarships & Means-tested Bursaries


i. Scholarship awards are typically worth 6% of the school fees and may be awarded for excellence in the assessment in both Maths and English, or occasionally for exceptional performance in either Maths or English.

ii. Exhibition awards worth 3% of fees are made for high achievement in the 11+ assessments.

iii. All Rounder awards worth 3% of fees are made for all round performance in the 11+ assessments and interview. They recognise pupils of high academic ability who are likely to make a substantial contribution to the wider life of the school.

iv. The Governor Presentation Award (GPA) is a one off award, currently worth £750, awarded following the 11+ assessment to recognise talent and potential.

Scholarship awards are also made to pupils joining from the PGS Junior School on the basis of their overall academic performance, with particular reference to the core subjects of Maths and English. All children will be automatically considered as part of the Junior School’s programme of Continuous Assessment.

Typically, around 20% of each new Year 7 entry receive scholarships, exhibitions, all rounder or GPA awards.

Scholarships at 13+A number of pupils elect to join PGS at Year 9 either by sitting the school’s own 13+ assessment or following the Common Entrance Exam but also as direct entrants (please see previous information about changes to 13+ from 2016).

Scholarships are awarded to these external entrants following academic assessment. The awards available are the same as those for 11+ entry. All pupils are automatically considered in light of their performance in the assessments.

Typically around 20% of all external entrants to Year 9 receive academic scholarships, exhibitions, all-rounder or Governor Presentation Awards.

Scholarships at 16+PGS has a thriving Sixth Form offering both A Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The Sixth Form attracts a large number of new entrants from independent and maintained schools.

Scholarships are awarded to internal and external candidates based on performance in the GCSE examinations and all pupils are automatically considered in the light of their GCSE results. There are two categories of academic scholarship available:

i. Scholarship awards worth 6% of the school fees are awarded for outstanding performance at GCSE.

ii. Exhibition awards worth 3% of fees are awarded for high achievement in the GCSE examinations.

Scholarships in Art, Drama, Music and SportIn addition to the academic awards there is also the opportunity at 13+ and at 16+ for exceptional candidates to be awarded Art, Drama, Music or Sport scholarships. These scholarships are awarded by the Headmaster following an audition and/or recommendation from the Directors of these departments. These are normally confirmed in the April of the year of entry. Art, Drama, Music and Sport Scholarships are typically worth either 3% or 6% of the fees with potentially higher awards available at the discretion of the Headmaster. Existing pupils may also become eligible for recognition in these areas during their time in the school and are welcome to apply to the Headmaster for consideration, using the same application process..

Further details , along with application forms, are given in ‘Further Information about Specific Scholarships and Bursary Awards’ document on the school website: pgs.org.uk/admissions/scholarships-and-bursaries/


Payment of School Fees

Termly Direct DebitThe majority of parents take advantage of the Direct Debit Scheme and the school would encourage them to make use of this convenient, efficient and financially beneficial facility. Payers opting for this scheme qualify for a 3% discount on the basic school fee.

Monthly PaymentsThe school uses services provided by My School Fee Plan for those wishing to pay school fees on a monthly basis. Further details are available from their website, www.myschoolfeeplan.com

School LunchesEach day the Dining Hall offers a wide range of freshly cooked, nutritious meals for the pupils. There are always vegetarian options available within the choice of hot meals, as well as a fresh salad bar and fruit. Breakfast items and snacks are available for Sixth Form pupils in the Sixth Form Centre.

School Lunch Payment SystemHow does the Lunch Account work?Each child receives a personal swipe card which will allow them to purchase food in the Dining Hall. The card acts like a debit card and the cost of purchases are deducted from the child’s account, and within set limits.

School Fees

Nursery

Nursery Session Times Fees

Pre-care session 08:00 – 08:30 £2.75Morning session 08:30 – 1 1 :30 £16.50Afternoon session 12:30 – 15:30 £16.50Core Day 08:30 – 15:30 £38.50Lunch Session 1 1 :30 – 12:30 £5.50Teatime Session 15:30 – 16:30 £5.50After Care Session 16:30 – 17:30 £5.50

Junior School

School Year Termly Fee Instalment

Reception – Yr 2 £2,930Yr 3 and Yr 4 £3,089Yr 5 and Yr 6 £3,249


School Year Termly Fee Instalment

Yr 7 to Yr 13 £4,567

Fees are displayed in GBP. The above assumes that you have taken advantage of the termly Direct Debit which attracts a 3% discount.


Paying for LunchesIf you opt to have a termly amount charged to your school bill this will be credited to your child’s account at the start of term. Termly charges are calculated on a child having school meals every day and will be included on their fee invoice. Should you wish to change this option at any time please contact the Bursary at least one month before the end of term to ensure removal from your next invoice.

If you choose to set up a lunch account online this will enable you to add funds to your child’s account at your discretion. The facility is operated by “Upay” through a secure website. You can then top up your child’s account and view their purchases.

Payments can be made direct to the Bursary to top up lunch accounts by debit or credit card either by visiting the office or by telephone. Alternatively you can top-up by sending a cheque to the Bursary, please clearly write your child’s name and ‘lunch account’ on the reverse of the cheque.

Children’s lunch accounts may occasionally be overspent as we never refuse a child lunch. If the account becomes seriously overdrawn then the debt will be transferred to the parent’s fee invoice and the lunch account amended to a zero balance.


The Portsmouth Grammar School is situated in the heart of historic Portsmouth.

The city is linked to the motorway network by the M27 and M275, and being central to the city the road network easily leads you to our door. There is ample parking around the school enabling easy drop off and collection of pupils. Until 9.30am on school days you are able to park free of charge on Museum Road (including coach bays), Cambridge Road & Pembroke Road. It is not limited by time provided your vehicle is gone by 9.30am. In the afternoons the coach bays are not available and there is an unpublished 20p charge for 15 minutes in Museum Road, Cambridge Road and Pembroke Road.

Portsmouth has a new Park & Ride facility and it is possible for you to drop off pupils at Tipner where they can then use the ‘walk on’ service once a ticket has been purchased. A ticket covers up to 8 persons travelling in one car. The service runs every 12 minutes on weekdays between 07:00 – 10:00 and between 15:00 – 18:00 and frequently outside of these hours. The nearest drop off for PGS is Portsmouth Harbour Station. Full details of the service can be found on www.parkandride.portsmouth.gov.uk

The train is a particularly popular way of coming in to the city each day. Trains come in to Portsmouth & Southsea and Portsmouth Harbour stations from Haslemere, Petersfield, Chichester, Fareham and other towns just outside Portsmouth. Both city stations are within a fifteen minute walk of the school.

Ferries and hovercrafts constantly traverse the water from the Isle of Wight and Gosport, their terminals are again only fifteen minutes walk away from us.

There is also a private coach service run by Lucketts Travel. The coach service operates several routes that bring you straight to the door. These are the Blue Route which starts in Clanfield, the Yellow Route which starts in Bishops Waltham, and the Red Route which starts in Denmead.

Blue - Waterlooville, Purbrook, Bedhampton, Farlington, Drayton, Eastney

Yellow - Bishops Waltham, Park Gate, Warsash, Locks Heath, Titchfield, Fareham, Portchester

Red - Denmead, Hambledon, Soberton, Droxfield, Swanmore, Waltham Chase, Wickham

More details on these services are available on request directly from Lucketts Travel - 01329 823755

Travelling to Hilsea Playing FieldsHilsea Playing Fields are located approximately 4 miles away from the main school campus and provide the facilities for the majority of the outdoor sports programme.

The 17.5 acre playing fields is home to 4 rugby pitches, an AstroTurf pitch for hockey and tennis, 5 netball courts, 7 tennis courts, 2 first class cricket squares and numerous rounders pitches.

All Junior School pupils are taken to and from Hilsea on buses supervised by Junior School staff.

Pupils in Year 7 are taken to Hilsea on buses supervised by Games staff. All Year 7 pupils will be escorted back to the school site after games.

All pupils in Years 8 – 11 travel to Hilsea for their Games session on buses supervised by Games staff. Sixth Form pupils can catch a school bus to Hilsea or can make their own travel arrangements to their Games venue. All pupils from Yrs 8-11 will be dismissed from Hilsea at the end of the school day. Pupils in Yrs 8 and 9 can be transported back to school if they so wish to be picked up by parents, although we ask for prior written permission to the Director of Sport for this.

Staff will always ensure that there are no pupils left at Hilsea Playing Fields before leaving the site. If pupils have not been picked up by 16:15 then the member of staff will arrange for them to be transported back to school.

Parking for Hilsea Playing FieldsParking is available at the Hilsea Lido which is on the left hand side immediately after the Shell garage and bus stop and before the roundabout.

Additional parking is available immediately on the left hand side after exiting south on the London Road from the Portsbridge roundabout. There is no parking available for spectators at the playing fields.

Travelling to School


HILSEA

TO HAVANT,GUILDFORD & LONDON

TO CHICHESTER

TO SOUTHAMPTON

FRATTON

PORTSMOUTH& SOUTHSEA

PORTSMOUTHHARBOUR STATION

STATION

STATION

STATION

FAREHAMSTATION

TO THEISLE OF WIGHT

PORTSMOUTHCATAMARANGOSPORTFERRY

PORTSMOUTHHOVERCRAFT

PORTSMOUTH& SOUTHSEASTATION

PORTSMOUTHGRAMMARSCHOOL

PORTSMOUTHHARBOUR STATION

PORTSMOUTHCATAMARAN

PORTSMOUTHHOVERCRAFT

HIL

SEA

CRES

CEN

T

A27

M27

FAW

LEY RD

HO

RSEA

RD

A2074

HILSEAPLAYING FIELDS

MILITARY RD

A3

LON

DO

N RD

LON

DO

N RD


Our bespoke uniform has great historical significance and the striking black, red and gold PGS colours are easily recognised throughout the city and surrounding areas.

Complemented by the ever-present PGS Lion, our uniform is available to purchase through our own dedicated Uniform Shop situated in the heart of the school, just off the main Quad.

In the Nursery, the uniform is chosen with very young children in mind. The simple T-shirt and sweatshirt with Lion logo are optional, however they give a sense of identity and are in the gold and black PGS colours.

School Uniform Shop

With the exception of footwear and the suit for Sixth Form girls, all the uniform items from Nursery to Sixth Form are available from the school’s Uniform Shop. The shop is primarily open during term time, but for the benefit of new parents, the shop opens on certain days during the summer holidays , times are published on the website.

Term Time Opening Monday to Friday: 14:30 – 17:30 Wednesday: 08:00 – 09:00 and 14:30 – 17:30

A list of uniform requirements can be found on the school’s website: www.pgs.org.uk/admissions/uniform/

School uniform is compulsory from Reception Year upwards.

Prospective families often start their PGS journey by visiting our annual Open Morning in September. You will be able to tour the whole school campus in the company of a pupil guide, enjoy a range of fun activities and meet the Headmaster and staff team.

If you would like to see the school in action on a normal week day, then why not come along to one of the Junior School Tour Mornings and Afternoons, or one of the Senior School Open Afternoons, held regularly throughout the year? There will be opportunities to see lessons in progress and facilities in action, to talk to pupils and staff, and to meet other families considering The Portsmouth Grammar School for their children.

If you would prefer a personal family tour of the school and would like to have a meeting with the Headmaster or the Headmaster of the Junior School, then please contact our Admissions team who will be pleased to make arrangements for a visit tailored to your interests and needs.

Our Admissions team are always available to answer any queries and look forward to welcoming you to the school.

Our forthcoming Open Events are listed on the following page.

School Uniform

Visiting the School



Further information about the following areas, as well as other policies and procedures, can be found on our website: www.pgs.org.uk

• Our Vision and Strategic Plan• Additional Educational Needs (AEN)

and Disabilities Policy• Junior School Additional Educational Needs (AEN)

and Disabilities Policy• Nursery Additional Educational Needs (AEN) and

Disabilities Policy• Admissions Policy• Nursery Admissions Policy• Anti-Bullying Policy• Behaviour Management Policy• Nursery Behaviour Management Policy• Complaints Procedure Policy• Criteria for Awarding Extra Time in the 11+ Entrance

Assessments• Criteria for Awarding Extra Time in the 13+ Entrance

Assessments• Curriculum Policy• Data Protection Policy• Data Protection Notice• Discipline and Exclusion Policy• English as an Additional Language

Provision and Policy

• Equal Opportunities Policy• First Aid Policy• Health and Safety Policy• List of Teaching Staff• Nursery Administration of Medicine Policy• Organisation for Health and Safety at PGS• Privacy Policy• Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy• School Attendance Policy• The Taking, Using and Sharing of Images

The School Governors are listed on the website. All correspondence to Governors is handled by the Clerk to the Governing Body, Mr DJ Kent, who is also the Bursar.

Further Information


Nursery

Mrs Wendy Heyes is the Nursery Registrar and she can be contacted by telephoning

023 9268 1337 or by e-mail at [email protected]

Junior School

Mrs Gill Bull is the Junior School Registrar and she can be contacted by telephoning



Mrs Jacqueline Hunt is the Senior School Registrar and she can be contacted by telephoning


Junior School

Reception Year Taster Afternoon for parents & pupils, Tuesday 11 November 2014 14:00

Juniors Taster Day (Years 3-6) for pupils, Tuesday 18 November 2014

Tour Afternoon, Tuesday 25 November 2014 14:00

Tour Morning Tuesday 20 January 2015 09:30

Tour Afternoon Tuesday 3 March 2015 14:00

Tour Morning, Tuesday 5 May 2015 09:30

Tour Afternoon, Tuesday 16 June 2015 14:00

Senior School & Sixth Form

Thursday 16 October 2014 14:00

Thursday 6 November 2014 14:00

Tuesday 13 January 2015 14:00

Tuesday 24 February 2015 14:00

Friday 20 March 2015 14:00

Tuesday 9 June 2015 14:00

Open Events

Admissions Team

023 9236 0036

Information for Parents 2014/2015

Documents

junior school page

school fees page

school uniform page

junior school admissions

right school

vibrant school

junior school registrar

junior school environment