GirlsIndependent

Portsmouth High School GDST

Portsmouth, South East · PO5 3EQ

Part of the Girls' Day School Trust and founded in 1882, Portsmouth High School educates girls from age 3 through to 19. With roughly 499 pupils, it is a small school, and its pupil-to-teacher ratio of about 10 points to small classes and close attention. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated it excellent for both education quality and personal development, with all compliance standards met. Sarah Parker leads the school.

499

Pupils

excellent

ISI

£20,895

Day fees / yr

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Overview & data

Gender: Girls
Type: independent (fee-paying) school
Age range: 3-19
Pupils: 499
Pupil:teacher ratio: 10
Location: Portsmouth, South East
Website: http://www.portsmouthhigh.co.uk/
Telephone: 023 9282 6714

Entrance & admissions

Entry age: 11

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Headteacher

Head Sarah Parker

Latest results

Attainment 8

12.4

National average 46.9

GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)

National average 47%

GCSE grade 9-7

57%

A-level A*-A

50%

Teaching & academics

At A-level, half of all entries reach A* or A, and the sixth form of around 74 pupils favours sciences alongside humanities and social sciences, with Biology, Chemistry, English Literature, History and Psychology all popular choices. At GCSE, 57% of grades fall in the 9-7 range. The school offers a broad qualification mix including GCSE, A-level, BTEC and the EPQ, and just over a fifth of pupils receive SEN support.

Sixth form

Sixth-form pupils: 74

Popular A-level subjects

BiologyChemistryBusiness StudiesEnglish LiteratureHistoryPsychologySociology

Qualifications offered

GCSEA-levelBTECEPQ

Learning support & SEN

SEN support: 20.95%
EHC plans: 0%

Arts & extracurricular

Scholarships

MusicArtSportDramaAcademic

Popular GCSE subjects

Art & DesignBusiness StudiesComputer StudiesDesign & TechnologyDrama & Theatre StudiesMusicPhysical EducationReligious Studies

Sport

Main sports

NetballHockeyCricketFootball

Beyond the classroom

Sport centres on netball, hockey, cricket and football, and scholarships are offered across music, art, sport, drama and academics, signalling strength in these areas. The breadth of GCSE options, from drama and music to computer studies and design and technology, gives girls plenty of room to pursue creative and practical interests.

Ethos & heritage

Founded: 1882
Boarding: No

Mobile phone policy

Pupils are permitted to have a mobile phone in the senior school, but when and where it can be used is controlled and limited

Money matters

Day fees (per year): £19,953 - £20,895
Bursaries up to: 100% of fees

Means-tested bursaries available up to 100%

Inspection reports

ISI rating: excellent
ISI personal development: excellent
Last inspected: 3 February 2026

Read the full inspection report ↗

The last word

A small, long-established girls' school with strong A-level outcomes and an excellent ISI verdict. Day fees sit around £20,000, though means-tested bursaries of up to 100% can open the door wider.

The Passmate verdict