About Mayville High School, Southsea
Mayville High School is an independent co-educational school in Southsea, Portsmouth. As an independent school, fees apply. Entry is via the school's own assessment and interview process.
Mayville High School, Southsea provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum. GCSE 9–7: 70%.
About the Mayville High School, Southsea Entrance Assessment
Mayville High School is an independent (fee-paying), co-educational day school in Southsea, Portsmouth, for pupils aged 2 to 16. It does not use the state 11-plus; instead it sets its own entrance assessment, and applications are made directly to the school rather than through a Local Authority.
The school follows a Diamond model, teaching girls and boys separately in core subjects while sharing the wider life of the school. Entry to Year 7 is based on performance in the school's own assessment, a reference from the child's current school and an interview with a senior member of staff.
The entrance assessment is normally sat in January of the year of entry and covers core areas including English, Mathematics and reasoning. Because the school sets and marks its own assessment, familiar 11+ practice in these areas is good preparation.
As a private school, fees apply. Mayville offers Academic scholarships (on the basis of the entrance assessment) as well as Creative Arts (art, drama, music, dance) and Sport scholarships. Confirm the latest fees, dates and assessment details on the school's official website.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Mayville High School, Southsea
Mayville High School, Southsea Admissions Criteria
Mayville High School is an independent co-educational day school in Southsea, Portsmouth, for ages 2–16. As an independent school, fees apply, and entry is via the school's own assessment and interview rather than the state 11-plus.
- ✓Register directly with the school's admissions office and complete the application form.
- ✓Provide a reference and recent reports from your child's current school.
- ✓Sit the school's own entrance assessment, normally in January of the year of entry.
- ✓Attend an interview with a senior member of staff. Academic, Creative Arts and Sport scholarships are available.
Mayville High School, Southsea Oversubscription & Selection
As a small independent school, Mayville offers places on the basis of the entrance assessment, school reference and interview. Where there are more suitable applicants than places, the school typically gives consideration to the following.
- Performance in the school's own entrance assessment
- The reference and reports from the child's current school
- Performance and fit shown at interview
- Siblings of current pupils
- Order in which completed applications are received
Key Steps — Mayville High School, Southsea Year 7 Entry
Step 1 — Visit on an Open Day or Drop-in Day
Open Days and Drop-in Days are held each term — a chance to tour the school and meet key staff before applying.
Step 2 — Register directly with the school
Complete the application form (available online or from the school office) and submit it with recent reports from your child's current school.
Step 3 — Sit the entrance assessment
Your child sits the school's own entrance assessment, normally in January of the year of entry, covering core areas including English, Mathematics and reasoning.
Step 4 — Interview
Applicants attend an interview with a senior member of staff (potentially the Head) as part of the assessment process.
Step 5 — Receive your offer
The school contacts families directly with the outcome and, where applicable, any scholarship award. Academic scholarships are based on performance in the entrance assessment.
Areas Assessed at Mayville High School, Southsea
Academic Results at Mayville High School, Southsea
Mayville is a small, all-through independent school built around its ‘whole child’ philosophy, with exceptionally small classes and an individualised approach to teaching.
- Academic outcomes: small class sizes allow teaching to be tailored to each pupil, supporting steady progress through to GCSE at 16.
- Scholarships: Academic scholarships are awarded on the entrance assessment, with further awards for Creative Arts and Sport.
- Inclusive provision: a CReSTeD-accredited Dyslexia Unit and strong SEND support help a wide range of learners flourish.
Confirm the school's latest published results on its official website.
Catchment Area for Mayville High School, Southsea
As an independent school, Mayville has no fixed catchment area — places are offered on the basis of the entrance assessment, a school reference and interview rather than where a family lives.
- Where pupils come from: the school draws families from across Southsea, Portsmouth and the surrounding South Hampshire area.
- Setting: a coastal location in the heart of Southsea, close to Portsmouth's maritime heritage.
Pastoral Care & Co-curricular Life at Mayville High School, Southsea
Mayville's ‘whole child’ ethos — educating the head, the hand and the heart — places pastoral care and individual attention at the centre of school life.
- Pastoral care: very small classes mean every pupil is well known and supported; a Diamond model teaches girls and boys separately in core subjects.
- Co-curricular: a wide range of sport, plus music, drama, art and dance, and overseas community trips with Camps International.
- Support: a CReSTeD-accredited Dyslexia Unit and dedicated SEND provision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mayville High School a state grammar school?
No. It is an independent (fee-paying), co-educational day school for ages 2–16; entry is by the school's own assessment rather than the state 11-plus.
What does the entrance assessment involve?
Pupils sit the school's own assessment, normally in January of the year of entry, covering core areas including English, Mathematics and reasoning, alongside a school reference and an interview with a senior member of staff.
How do I apply?
Apply directly to the school's admissions office by completing the application form — there is no Local Authority Common Application Form for this school.
Are fees and scholarships applicable?
Yes — as a private school, fees apply, and the school offers Academic, Creative Arts and Sport scholarships. Details are on its website.
GL Assessment Practice Papers for Mayville High School, Southsea
Mayville High School, Southsea uses the GL Assessment 11+ format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the Mayville High School, Southsea 11+ Exam
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📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
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Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
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Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
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Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.