Early Years at Portsmouth High School GDST
Being curious and learning without limits
Children are born curious and their natural curiosity is essential for developing problem solving skills, creativity and critical thinking.
The Early Years’ team at Portsmouth High School embrace the concept of learning without limits and create stimulating and supportive learning environments that encourage exploration and questioning.
Our play based learning allows children to experiment and make discoveries at their own pace and fosters independent thinking whilst hands on, sensory rich activities, storytelling and outdoor exploration in our beautiful grounds sparks our pupils’ natural inquisitiveness.
Team building and collaboration
The value of working together is encouraged and actively promoted throughout Early Years.
Fostering collaboration is essential for nurturing both social and cognitive development and through modelling collaborative behaviour in discussions and demonstrating listening to one another, pupils are encouraged to build positive relationships, whilst developing empathy and learning how to appreciate diversity from an early age.
Creating a supportive classroom atmosphere where every child is safe to express ideas and take turns lays the groundwork for positive social interactions.
Becoming independent
Becoming independent in Early Years is a pivotal part of any child’s development.
Staff support pupils to master their self-help skills nurturing their sense of autonomy and reinforces problem solving abilities. The safe and structured environment encourages exploration and decision making.
Success is celebrated and increasing responsibilities builds resilience and the self belief that they are capable of overcoming obstacles.
Building resilience
Our supportive environment allows our pupils to take risks in learning and build up resilience whilst keeping a healthy perspective on things that really matter.
This balanced approach gives them the ability to navigate challenges and sets a solid foundation for lifelong personal and academic growth.
Being imaginative
The wonder of imagination fuels creativity, language skills and problem solving.
‘What if’ thinking, imaginative play and storytelling is encouraged and through our offering of art, music, drama and open-ended play opportunities, where there are no set rules or expectations, we are able to broaden our pupils perspectives and encourage flexible thinking. There are no limits on learning possibilities.
Wonder of learning
Every child’s learning journey is unique and our team’s understanding of every one of our pupils ensures their educational journey is tailored to their individual needs to allow them to explore their world around them.
The wonder of learning lies in being able to weave different threads of knowledge into a map of understanding. As Early Years pupils begin to make links they experience a spark of discovery that allows them to understand new concepts and change them into new ideas and our team at PHS are at hand to make sure they achieve their goals.
Why choose an Early Years’ education at Portsmouth High School?
An Early Years education at Portsmouth High School offers exceptional opportunities. Excellent teaching and pastoral care build firm foundations for a successful and enjoyable lifelong educational journey.
Qualified teachers to give your child’s education the best headstart
Specialist teaching in French, sport, outdoor learning, music, ballet and PE offering rich educational experiences
Part of a through school (3 to 18) which offers many opportunities not possible in a standalone nursery
Part of the Girls’ Day School Trust, a charity which leads the agenda for girls’ education in the UK
Free wraparound care from 7.30am to 6.00pm for all children attending full-time
Holiday care during all school holidays giving 50 weeks of care to assist busy and working families
Early Years’ funding available up to 30 hours a week for all Pre-School children
Spacious grounds for a city school with plenty of space to play and fire young imaginations
Building soft skills such as confidence, self-esteem and curiosity to enhance learning
Our location
Early Years classes at Portsmouth High School are set in the heart of Portsmouth High Prep School and are very much a part of school life.
An oasis in Southsea, and just five minutes from the sea, the school makes the most of spacious grounds. There is lots of space for imaginative play including a wooded area, outdoor classroom and fire pit, raised beds for growing produce and excellent facilities on site for sport.
Classrooms are bright, modern and well equipped. Nursery and Pre-School have separate classrooms with a quiet area for focussed learning benefiting older children preparing to move up to Reception Class. Secure and safe outdoor areas for play and exploration are connected to the classrooms.
Early Years pupils make the most of the local area with trips designed to enhance curiosity, confidence and learning. Specialist qualified teachers for languages, music, ballet, sport and outdoor learning visit weekly and many continue to teach pupils as they progress through the school.
Next Steps
The best way to find out if Portsmouth High School is right for your daughter is to come and see us.
You can visit us at any time for a family tour to see Early Years and the rest of the Prep School in action. Simply contact the admissions team on 023 9282 4916 or via admissions@por.gdst.net Your visit will also include meeting the Prep School Headmaster, Mr Marshallsay. Why not book your family tour today?
Alternatively, you may decide to visit us on one of our organised open events. Portsmouth High School is open on three Saturdays a year - one in March (prep school only), one in June and one in September. We ask that prospective families book for these popular events to help our planning. Please visit the school website for further details and to book your place.
The Power of an Early Years’ Education at Portsmouth High School GDSTwatch our film now.
Portsmouth High Prep and Pre-School
36 Kent Road, Southsea, Hampshire PO5 3ES admissions@por.gdst.net 023 9282 4916 portsmouthhigh.co.uk
Part of the Girls’ Day School Trust family of schools.