An Excellent School. ISI Inspection teams judge The Portsmouth Grammar School as excellent.

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1 An Excellent School ISI Inspection teams judge The Portsmouth Grammar School as excellent.

2 The Success of the School We are delighted to share with you the findings of the ISI Inspection Teams who visited the Junior and Senior School in February Both reports are emphatic in recognising the overall excellence of the schools and conclude that the quality of education at PGS and the opportunities for pupils' personal development are even stronger than they were at the time of the previous inspection visit in Teaching and Learning is recognised as excellent throughout the whole school. Initiatives in the Junior School, such as the introduction of continuous assessment and the connected curriculum, and the use of digital technology in the Senior School are seen as making a significant difference to the pupils' progress and learning. The opportunities available through the co curriculum are described quite simply as outstanding, a view echoed by pupils and parents. The Portsmouth Grammar School was recognised by the Inspectors as being excellent in the quality of the education it offers all of its pupils. The School is highly successful in meeting its aims, with the pupils achievement and learning being excellent through the school. Pupils are confident, caring, articulate, well mannered, enthusiastic and committed learners. They benefit from an excellent curriculum which is complemented by an outstanding programme of activities. The Inspectors reserve particular praise, however, for the quality of pastoral care throughout the School, emphasising that concern for the individual underpins everything that the School does, enabling pupils to be happy and successful. Survey results show that pupils feel highly valued as individuals and that parents are overwhelmingly pleased with their child's progress and with the support that they receive. James Priory Headmaster Peter Hopkinson Head of the Junior School Challenging and enriched learning: the connected curriculum in the Junior School has strengthened links between subjects creating more in depth learning Breadth of choice: A Levels and International Baccalaureate offered in the Sixth Form A responsive and evolving curriculum to meet the needs of our changing world, for example introducing GCSE Computer Science info@pgs.org.uk

3 The Quality of Academic and Other Achievements The quality of the pupils achievements and learnings The contribution of teaching The quality of the pupils achievement and learning at The Portsmouth Grammar School is excellent. This quality runs throughout the School from Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) where the pupils are highly active and creative learners to the Senior School where pupils display the highest standards of speaking, listening, logical thinking and imagination. The School offers excellent provision for pupils with special education needs and disabilities. Their individualised learning plans have clear targets and are effectively implemented in small groups during lessons. This support enables pupils to make excellent progress and achieve outstanding results in public examinations. Our pupils meet with success on a national and even international scale. At A Level and International Baccalaureate Higher Level (HL) almost 25% of grades have been A* or 7 and 87% have been A* B or HL 7 5. At GCSE and IGCSE over the last three years around 40% of grades have been A* and 99% A* C. Up to 90% of pupils secure a place on their chosen university course, with the large majority on the most competitive courses here in the UK and overseas. 18 Sixth Form pupils were offered places to study at Oxbridge colleges in Attainment in Maths and Reading in the Junior School are exceptional. The Inspectors praised the excellent quality of teaching across the whole school. Teachers have excellent rapport with their pupils who testify to teachers support for their learning. The enthusiastic and dynamic teaching supports the School s aim to develop a love of learning. In the Early Years Foundation Stage teaching is focussed and well paced using a variety of methods and high quality resources to fully engage and motivate the children. The Junior School teachers excellent subject knowledge and dynamic delivery makes a strong contribution to the pupils high level of progress and attainment. In the Senior School well planned lessons ensure the careful structuring of coherent tasks with a good pace and enthusiastic encouragement in many lessons. Lessons are of the highest quality, fulfilling the aim of the school to inspire learning and develop confidence. The Inspectors also witnessed that teaching and learning utilised an excellent range of resources, including the creative use of digital technology. Well over 90% of Senior School and Sixth Form pupils and 100% of Junior School pupils strongly agree or agree that their teachers help them to learn and that they are making good progress in their work.

4 The contribution of curricular and extra curricular provision The excellent curricular and co curricular provision of The Portsmouth Grammar School supports the aim of the Junior School to ignite curiosity, imagination and a passion for learning and ensures that Senior School pupils experience excellence in education. The Inspectors particularly praised the introduction of continuous assessment for pupils making the transition from the Junior to the Senior School at Year 6. Entrance assessments and extensive revision have been entirely replaced by a new connected curriculum which has greatly strengthened links between all subjects and skills. Stimulating and challenging indoor and outdoor learning and an enriched curriculum to support each child s all round intellectual, physical, social and emotional development, have combined to create an innovative curriculum of breadth as well as depth. The Junior School offers a wide ranging and popular co curricular programme with many pupils engaging with more than one activity. On average each term 650 places are filled across the groups and activities offered. Sport at the school is inclusive with over 30 teams of pupils representing the school on most weekends in a wide variety of sports. The standard of competitive sport at the School is very high with teams achieving regional and national success, however a wide and varied Games programme is provided that caters for all pupils regardless of ability. 40 Senior School music ensembles rehearse every week, performing around 60 concerts per year. Nearly 100 pupils receive LAMDA lessons and a cast of over 80 pupils take part in the annual Senior School musical held at The Kings Theatre in Southsea. The Portsmouth Grammar School is a leading partner in Portsmouth Festivities a major arts festival held in the city each year. Almost 200 pupils are currently taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. There are exchange programmes with schools in Spain, France, Germany and China. The School is engaged in fund raising for local, national and international charities with strong links with schools in Cambodia and Uganda. In the Senior School, the Inspectors saw firm foundations being laid in the Middle School through the time given to core subjects before pupils are able to choose additional courses to match their interests and abilities in Year 9. The opportunity to choose between IB and A Level received positive comments along with the outstanding and extensive co curricular programme, which fully complements and enriches the core curriculum. The development of the Pastoral Curriculum to ensure that pupils are well prepared for the world in which they will go on to study, live and work was noted by Inspectors as being well structured and resourced info@pgs.org.uk

5 The Quality of the Pupils Personal Development The spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the pupils Throughout the school the Inspectors found the pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development to be excellent. From the moment pupils join the Junior School they learn to cooperate and share, respect and tolerate each other s differences. This is reflected and strengthened in the Senior School where pupils have an outstanding sense of right and wrong, aware that this is needed for a harmonious community. Pupils make a positive contribution, developing skills for their future which fulfils the schools aims to nurture each individual and their confidence to lead and serve in a changing world. PGS Pride has over 100 members throughout the school and other groups, such as the Model United Nations and the Portsmouth Point blog, reflect similarly high values of tolerance and respect for others. In the Junior School respect and kindness is exemplified during playtimes when special friends look out for others who may require help. The Peer Mentor programme provides nominated Sixth Form pupils to visit tutor groups of Years 7 9 pupils and contribute to discussions and guidance on matters such as bullying and e safety. The establishment of School Councils in the Junior and Senior Schools has been instrumental in creating positive initiatives to improve the quality of the school experience for all pupils. The sense of community at the school was evident to the Inspectors. In the Junior School Year 6 Librarians visit younger pupils on a regular basis to hear them read. In the Senior School the Inspectors noted how pupils contribute to the life of the school and enjoy taking the lead in their community. They also saw how pupils understand that it is never acceptable to discriminate against anyone because of their creed and background. Older pupils volunteering as mentors for younger pupils (Peer Mentors) and working with them during pastoral curriculum sessions further demonstrated the excellent relationships between older and younger pupils.

6 The contribution of arrangements for pastoral care The Effectiveness of Governance, Leadership and Management The quality of governance Across the whole school, pastoral care is excellent. The school successfully achieves its aim of enabling pupils to be happy and successful, each individual is valued and their contribution to the school and wider community is celebrated. In the Junior School there are excellent, respectful relationships between adults and between staff and children. As a result of these positive role models, children treat one another with respect and behave extremely well. The pupils are thoroughly well prepared for the next stage of their education with an excellent standard of personal development. In the Senior School, the heart of pastoral care was recognised as being the house system and the support provided by tutors who know the pupils well as individuals. This high quality care is complemented by the Pastoral Curriculum where issues such as e safety, body image and lifestyle choices are discussed. An overwhelming majority of parents strongly agree or agree that their child is happy and safe at the School, and would recommend the School to other parents. Small tutor groups promote highly effective relationships between tutor and tutee throughout the school. The contribution of arrangements for welfare, health and safety The systems and policies to safeguard pupils welfare, health and safety meet requirements and their effectiveness is monitored regularly. In EYFS, the children s welfare is a high priority and the safeguarding of children is carefully ensured. The quality of governance at The Portsmouth Grammar School is excellent. Governors are highly successful in ensuring the School achieves its aims through a cycle of self evaluation, school improvement and strategic planning. Governors have an excellent insight into the workings of the School. They regularly visit the School to observe lessons and activities; they attend parent forums and a wide variety of formal and informal events. The quality of leadership and management, including links with parents, carers and guardians The quality of leadership and management including links with parents, carers and guardians is excellent. Senior leaders with the support of governors work hard to create a positive ethos that supports the development of all members of the school community. They are united in their vision; wishing our pupils and our staff to be happy and successful, and in that order. Links between the parents and the School are excellent and strongly support the academic and personal development of the pupils. Parents praise the community atmosphere, high academic standards, support and communication provided by the School. The School forges strong links with new parents in the Senior School through form tutor phone calls and a Welcome Service in the Cathedral. Across the School information for parents is extensive and the high quality publications provide all the required information for current and prospective parents info@pgs.org.uk

7 The Junior School at a Glance The quality of the pupils academic and other achievements is excellent. The connected curriculum has greatly strengthened the links between subjects enabling pupils to study topics in depth. 3. Pupils throughout the school are confident, caring, articulate, well mannered and exceptionally well behaved. Early Years Foundation Stage 4. pupils are highly active and creative learners. 5. Excellent use is made of information and communication technology across the curriculum. 6. The curriculum and extensive programme of co curricular activities support the School s aim to ignite curiosity, imagination and a passion for learning. 7. In all parts of the School there is a stimulating environment, atmosphere and excitement about pupils learning. Enthusiastic and dynamic teaching 8. supports the School s aim to develop a love of learning to the highest standard. 9. The relationship between teachers and pupils is one of warmth and mutual respect where everyone is treated with tolerance and understanding. 10. The programme of continuous assessment greatly enhances transition to the Senior School. 11. Pupils learn to cooperate and share, respect and tolerate each other s differences and make appropriate choices and decisions. 12. The pupils are thoroughly well prepared for the next stage of their education with an excellent standard of personal development.

8 The Senior School at a Glance The pupils benefit from an excellent curriculum. The quality of teaching is excellent. Pupils are enthusiastic and committed learners. They enjoy supporting each other in their learning and many are adept at using information and communication technology to enhance their understanding. Pupils display high standards of 4. speaking, listening, reading and writing, applying these skills readily across the curriculum. They think logically and respond with imagination. 5. The School successfully fulfils its aim to nurture each individual s intellectual, spiritual, artistic, sporting and social faculties. 6. The outstanding extensive co curricular programme, which fully complements and enriches the core curriculum, offers a wide range of clubs and activities. 7. Teachers have an excellent rapport with pupils who testify to their teachers support for their learning and the teaching fosters an atmosphere in which there is respect for each other s opinions. The cultural awareness of pupils 8. is excellent. 9. Pupils display an outstanding level of social skills. They are modest in manner, but confident and socially aware. 10. The pastoral care provision fully supports the School s aim to value each individual and to celebrate what they contribute to the School and the wider community. 11. Pupils are sensitive to the non material aspects of life, particularly valuing the place of music in their lives. 12. The School is highly effective in promoting good behaviour and guarding against bullying. The full reports are available for you to read on our website, about-us/inspection-reports/ To find out more about what makes PGS such a happy and successful school, please do come and visit us