MixedIndependent

The Portsmouth Grammar School

Portsmouth, Portsmouth, South East · PO1 2LN

Tracing its roots to 1732, The Portsmouth Grammar School is a long-established independent school educating around 1,142 pupils from age 3 through to 18. The Independent Schools Inspectorate awarded it an 'excellent' rating, with the same judgement extending to pupils' personal development and all compliance standards met. Around a quarter of pupils receive SEN support, suggesting a school accustomed to working with a range of learning needs. With 275 in the sixth form, it offers a sizeable senior cohort under the headship of David Wickes.

1,142

Pupils

excellent

ISI

£24,631

Day fees / yr

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Overview & data

Gender: Mixed
Type: independent (fee-paying) school
Age range: 3-18
Pupils: 1,142
Location: Portsmouth, Portsmouth, South East
Website: www.pgs.org.uk
Telephone: 023 9236 0036

Entrance & admissions

Entry age: 11

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Headteacher

Head David Wickes

Latest results

Attainment 8

41.5

National average 46.9

GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)

National average 47%

GCSE grade 9-7

63%

A-level A*-A

61%

A-level A*-B

86%

Teaching & academics

Entry at 11+ leads into a broad academic programme covering GCSE, A-level and the EPQ. At A-level results are strong, with 61 per cent of grades at A*-A and 86 per cent at A*-B, and the sciences, mathematics, English literature, history and economics among the most popular choices. Earlier results sit lower against national benchmarks, with an Attainment 8 score of 41.5 compared with the national average of 46.9, though 63 per cent of GCSE grades reach 9-7.

Sixth form

Sixth-form pupils: 275

Popular A-level subjects

MathematicsPhysicsChemistryBiologyEnglish LiteratureHistoryEconomicsPsychology

Qualifications offered

GCSEA-levelEPQ

Learning support & SEN

SEN support: 27.58%
EHC plans: 0.09%

Arts & extracurricular

Scholarships

AcademicArtDramaMusicSport

Languages

FrenchSpanish

Popular GCSE subjects

English LiteraturePhysicsChemistryBiologyMathematicsGeographyBusiness Studies

Sport

Main sports

RugbyFootballHockeyNetballTennisCricketAthletics

Beyond the classroom

Sport is well represented, with rugby, football, hockey, netball, tennis, cricket and athletics all on offer. Scholarships span academic, art, drama, music and sport, pointing to a school that values achievement beyond the classroom.

Ethos & heritage

Founded: 1732
Boarding: No

Mobile phone policy

Pre-school to year 2 not permitted. Years 3-8 hand in at start of day. Years 9-11 only before/after school. Sixth form can use before school and during breaks/lunch in sixth form cafe.

Money matters

Day fees (per year): £15,811 - £24,631
Bursaries up to: 100% of fees

Means-tested bursaries available up to 100 per cent

Inspection reports

ISI rating: excellent
ISI personal development: excellent
Last inspected: 23 September 2025

Read the full inspection report ↗

The last word

A historic city school whose sixth form delivers consistently high grades, with means-tested bursaries of up to 100 per cent opening the doors wider than the fees alone might suggest.

The Passmate verdict