About Portsmouth High School
Portsmouth High School is a girls independent day school in Southsea, Portsmouth. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the GDST 11+ entrance assessment, part of the Girls' Day School Trust family, covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
Portsmouth High School is committed to providing an outstanding educational experience for every pupil, with excellent academic results, strong pastoral care and a thriving extracurricular programme. Scholarships and bursaries are available to support pupils with talent and financial need.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Portsmouth High School
Portsmouth High School Admissions Criteria
Portsmouth High School is a girls independent day school in Southsea, Portsmouth. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the GDST 11+ entrance assessment, part of the Girls' Day School Trust family, covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
- ✓Step 1 — Initial enquiry: Contact the Admissions Team at Portsmouth High School to register your interest and request a prospectus. Visit the school on an Open Day or arrange a private tour to experience the school environment first-hand.
- ✓Step 2 — Submit registration: Complete the online (or paper) registration form and pay the registration fee to formally apply for a Year 7 place at Portsmouth High School. Early registration is recommended — many independent schools have rolling admissions and limited Year 7 places.
- ✓Step 3 — Reference from current school: The school will request an academic and pastoral reference from your child's current school. This provides insight into your child's academic progress, character and suitability.
- ✓Step 4 — GDST entrance assessment: Your daughter will sit the GDST 11+ entrance assessment covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The assessment is consistent across the GDST family of schools and designed to identify academic ability and potential.
- ✓Step 5 — Interview (where applicable): Many independent schools include an interview as part of the selection process — this is a friendly conversation to learn about her interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether her child has been offered a place at Portsmouth High School.
- ✓Step 7 — Accept the place: To accept an offer, parents complete an acceptance form and pay a deposit to secure the place. The deposit is typically credited against future school fees.
- ✓Academic Scholarships: Awarded to applicants demonstrating exceptional academic ability in the entrance assessment.
- ✓Music Scholarships: For pupils with proven musical ability — supported by an audition.
- ✓Art & Drama Scholarships: For pupils with strong creative and performance ability, supported by a portfolio or audition.
- ✓Sport Scholarships: For pupils with talent and achievement in sport at a competitive level.
- ✓Bursary Awards: Means-tested financial support for families who require help with school fees at Portsmouth High School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
Portsmouth High School Oversubscription Criteria
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- Children who achieve the highest scores in the 11+ entrance test.
- Children living within the school's priority catchment area.
- Children with siblings currently attending Portsmouth High School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — Portsmouth High School 2026
| 📌 Open Events | Throughout the year — check school website to register |
| 📌 Application Window | Rolling admissions — apply early to secure assessment slot |
| 📌 Entrance Assessment | Arranged after registration submitted |
| 📌 Decision Notification | Following assessment, by written letter from the Head |
| 📌 Acceptance & Deposit | Deposit required to secure offered place |
How to Apply to Portsmouth High School
Step 1 — Attend a Portsmouth High School Open Event
Attend a Portsmouth High School Open Event or book a personal tour
Step 2 — Complete the online application form
Complete the online application form on the school's admissions portal
Step 3 — Pay the non-refundable application fee of £60 (incl. VAT)
Pay the non-refundable application fee of £60 (incl. VAT) — £100 for overseas applications
Step 4 — The school requests a confidential reference from your
The school requests a confidential reference from your daughter's current school
Step 5 — Your daughter sits the GDST 11+ Entrance Assessment
Your daughter sits the GDST 11+ Entrance Assessment — the standardised assessment used across the Girls' Day School Trust family
Step 6 — Attend an interview as part of the assessment process
Attend an interview as part of the assessment process
Step 7 — Following assessment
Following assessment, offers are communicated and contract issued
Step 8 — On acceptance, pay the £500 acceptance deposit
On acceptance, pay the £500 acceptance deposit (refunded after pupil has left, after deducting any outstanding amounts)
Independent Subjects Tested at Portsmouth High School
Scholarships & Bursaries at Portsmouth High School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Music, Art, Sport Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available via GDST. Wraparound care included at no extra charge in Prep, Nursery and Pre-School (over 30 hours/week).
Outcome announced: Awards announced following assessment
Additional notes: Portsmouth High School is a member of the Girls' Day School Trust (GDST) — a family of 23 independent girls' schools across the UK that share an entrance assessment approach. Fees can be paid monthly or termly via direct debit. Public examination fees are charged as an extra (per GDST policy).
Independent Practice Papers for Portsmouth High School
Portsmouth High School uses GDST 11+ Entrance Assessment 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 Portsmouth High School 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at Portsmouth High School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Portsmouth High School is a GDST girls’ day school where a genuine single-sex environment and a strong focus on wellbeing support solid results across GCSE and A-Level.
- GCSE: a broad academic curriculum with individual support (published DfE GCSE data can understate independent schools that enter IGCSEs, so confirm figures with the school).
- A-Level: a free-thinking Sixth Form from which girls progress to a wide range of universities.
- Progression: girls progress to leading institutions across many subjects.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for Portsmouth High School
Portsmouth High School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As a day school, places are open to families from across Portsmouth and the surrounding Hampshire area, with selective entry by assessment (and an activities afternoon) rather than where a family lives.
The school sits on Kent Road in Southsea, five minutes from the sea; main entry points are at 4+, 11+ and the Sixth Form, with some entry at 13+.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1882 and part of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST), Portsmouth High School is an independent day school for girls (ages 3–18) in Southsea, a short walk from the seafront, comprising a Pre-School, Prep School, Senior School and Sixth Form. One of the GDST’s more intimate schools, it places wellbeing at the heart of its ethos (with a dedicated wellbeing centre, Daffodil House) and is committed to educating girls free from gender stereotyping.
Its co-curricular programme is extensive, with over 100 clubs spanning sport (including trampolining, boxing and climbing), music and drama. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Portsmouth High School
How do I get into Portsmouth High School?
To gain entry to Portsmouth High School Year 7, parents register their child with the Admissions Team, submit a registration fee and arrange for the child to sit the 11+ entrance assessment covering English and Mathematics. A reference from the current school is required. Following the assessment and any interview, parents are notified in writing of the outcome.
Is Portsmouth High School a GDST school?
Yes. Portsmouth High School is a member of the Girls' Day School Trust (GDST), a family of 23 independent girls' schools across the UK. GDST schools share an entrance assessment approach at 11+ covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with results used to determine offers of places at any of the GDST schools applied to.
What is the 11+ exam at Portsmouth High School?
Portsmouth High School uses its own 11+ entrance assessment for Year 7 entry. The assessment covers English and Mathematics, designed to identify both current ability and future academic potential. An interview with the Head or Deputy Head may also form part of the selection process.
Are there scholarships at Portsmouth High School?
Yes. Portsmouth High School offers Academic, Music, Art, Drama and Sport scholarships. Means-tested Bursary Awards are also available to support families requiring financial assistance with school fees. Contact the Admissions Office for current scholarship and bursary information.
When should I apply to Portsmouth High School?
Most independent schools including Portsmouth High School accept applications throughout the year, but Year 7 places are often offered 12-18 months in advance. Register early — ideally by Year 5 (age 9-10) — to secure assessment slots and avoid disappointment.
Are there free Independent 11+ practice papers for Portsmouth High School?
Yes. ExamTutor offers a free Independent 11+ Practice Test Paper and free Tutor Video Explanations. The practice paper matches the format of independent school 11+ entrance exams covering English and Mathematics — the subjects typically tested at Portsmouth High School. No registration required.
When is the Portsmouth High School 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at Portsmouth High School is See school website for current deadlines. The registration fee is £60 incl. VAT (£100 for overseas applications) — non-refundable. Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are Portsmouth High School 11+ results announced?
At Portsmouth High School, 11+ assessment results are After assessment. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.
What is the acceptance deposit at Portsmouth High School?
The acceptance deposit at Portsmouth High School is £500 (refunded after pupil has left, less any outstanding amounts) — not returned if pupil is withdrawn after place accepted. This is payable on acceptance of a place.