Starting out at Portsmouth High Prep School
Welcome to Portsmouth High Prep School. We are very much looking forward to your daughter joining us and hope she settles in quickly and enjoys her time here. Prior to joining there is important information for you to read and forms to complete. All the information you need is here in this welcome document.
Please complete the forms 1-4 and/or 5 & 6 below as soon as possible and also the GDST pre-admissions forms which can be located on your Parent Admissions Account
Additional Information
ICT Agreement for Key Stage 1 (Reception Class to Year 2)
ICT Agreement for Key Stage 2 (Year 3 to Year 6)
Consent for Data Use in the Seesaw App
Private Music Tuition Form (optional)
Speech and Drama Lessons Form (optional)
If you have any questions, please contact Admissions at admissions@por.gdst.net
Prep School Information
Booking Trips for
your daughter
Please find below information on how to view and book trips for your daughter at the prep school.
A parent guide to viewing and booking trips
Co-Curricular Activities for the Autumn Term 2025
A wide range of co-curricular clubs are on offer for your daughter during lunchtimes and after school.
A reminder to complete all the forms in this document
Read our Autumn Term Co-curricular Clubs Activities Booklet for more information.
Communication
As a school, email is our main method for routine communications such as letters about trips and we would ask that you add post@ portsmouthhigh.schoolpostmail.co.uk to your safe sender list. A communication comes out at 3.00pm every school day with information specifically for your child. You will be sent details of how to access the Parent Portal on your child’s second day of school. We also send a weekly Update newsletter every Thursday in term time which celebrates successes across the school and gives details of upcoming events.
Medication
If your child needs to bring any medication into school on the first day of term, such as an inhaler, it is important that this is labelled and given to the prep school team who will advise the Welfare Officer. The medical consent form can be located through scanning the QR code opposite.
Parent Handbook
The Parent Handbook is the ‘go to’ document for anything you need to know about Portsmouth High School. Hopefully, this will contain all the information you are ever likely to need to know about the school – but please don’t hesitate to ask if your particular question is not covered.
PE and Sport for Pre-School, Reception, Year 1, and Year 2
At Portsmouth High Prep School, the focus of our overall Physical Education and Sport programme is on making sure all pupils are prepared for lifelong involvement in sport and physical activity.
Prep School Information (continued)
During Early Years and Key Stage 1 education, emphasis is placed on enhancing physical literacy, motor competence and all the fundamental movement skills, with commitment to development of locomotor, stability, and manipulation skills such as running, jumping, throwing, catching, passing, kicking, agility, balance, coordination, striking an object and kinaesthetic awareness. Promoting healthy participation and encouraging commitment to a healthy lifestyle is consistently encouraged through the physical activities provided and the theory integrated into teaching.
Read our Uniform Guide for help when purchasing your child’s new uniform
In Pre-School, lesson content mainly focuses on developing skills and fitness using different activities with and without equipment. As pupils progress through Reception, they experience additional PE lessons aiming to develop specific movement skills and introducing basic elements of different sports.
In Year 1 and Year 2, more defined sports skills are introduced, with a specific focus each half term, that integrates the fundamental movement skills with sporting movement, with continued development of motor competence. Basic rules are presented, with consideration of simple strategies and tactics, where relevant.
Rules, strategies, and tactics are introduced and developed to support intelligent movement and effective, contextual decision making. Continued emphasis is placed on healthy participation and the benefits of an active lifestyle. The curriculum is supported by the co-curricular clubs, and from Year 3 upwards, pupils also have regular opportunities to play in fixtures against other schools.
In addition to the practical elements, important skills are developed, including being resilient and confident, working in a team, communicating effectively, and showing appropriate conduct and etiquette. Great focus is placed on learning and exhibiting the right attitude and behaviour.
Please refer to the school uniform list for detailed information on PE kit requirements but note pupils in Reception and above will be involved with inter-house events including Sports Day, Cross Country, and the Fun Run, and should wear a house t-shirt. When the weather is warm and sunny, pupils should wear a school baseball cap to help them stay protected from the sun. These items can both be purchased from the Prep School reception. Form tutors will confirm the days that each year group needs their PE kit and whether they should wear this in to school or change once here.
Pupils in Reception and above will also swim for a term during each academic year and for this, they are required to wear a plain navy or black swimming costume and need a towel, goggles and a swim hat (the new official school branded hats will be available to purchase soon). Further swimming details will be communicated prior to
Prep School Information
each year group’s sessions starting. For 2025-2026, Year 2 will swim on Mondays in the Spring term, and Year 1 and Reception will swim for a half term each on Mondays in the Summer term.Please ensure ALL personal clothing items and equipment are appropriately named so that they can be returned quickly, if found.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, or our Prep Receptionist.
Louise Hall Co-ordinator of Prep Sport
l.hall@por.gdst.net
PE, Sport, and
Fixtures for Years 3 to Year 6
At Portsmouth High Prep School, the focus of our Physical Education and Sport programme is on making sure all pupils are prepared for lifelong involvement in sport and physical activity. We try to balance participation and performance, aiming to give pupils the confidence to try something new and develop their talents.
We believe that everyone should learn the value of being part of a team and learning important skills including resilience, teamwork, communication, and appropriate sports etiquette. Sport provides an excellent environment to help pupils to learn how to deal with success and failure, and how to work effectively with others, thus offers transferable skills for life. Huge focus is placed on displaying the right attitude and behaviour.
Prep School Information
Through our Physical Education and Sport curriculum at Key Stage 2, pupils experience a variety of activities including gymnastics, athletics, swimming, and several team sports including netball, hockey, football, and cricket.
Emphasis is placed on enhancing physical literacy, motor competence and all the fundamental movement skills that begin to be developed during Early Years and Key Stage 1, with commitment to development of locomotor, stability, and manipulation skills such as running, jumping, throwing, catching, passing, kicking, agility, balance, coordination, striking an object and kinaesthetic awareness. Rules, strategies, and tactics are introduced more deeply, and developed to support intelligent movement and effective, contextual decision making. Continued emphasis is placed on healthy participation and the benefits of an active lifestyle.
Our focus is on making sure all pupils are prepared for lifelong involvement in sport and phsyical activity
Swimming caters for all abilities, and we strive to support every pupil in making progress, even if they swim regularly outside of school in lessons and/or for a club. We work towards the school awards programme (levels 1 to 6) as well as offering more experienced swimmers the opportunity to take awards such as aquatic skills, safe selfrescue, and distance badges. We are also happy to liaise with club coaches regarding individual programme content, where pupils are swimming at a high level, externally.
The curriculum is supported by the co-curricular clubs, and from Year 3 upwards, pupils also have regular opportunities to play in fixtures against other schools.
Each term has a different competitive focus, and this is largely the similar structure followed by other schools, which allows for an exciting and full fixtures calendar. Years 3 and 4 will play most of their matches on a Thursday afternoon, and Years 5 and 6 will play mainly on a Wednesday afternoon. There are exceptions for special events such as GDST Rallies and other tournaments.
Autumn: Netball
Spring: Hockey
Summer: Cricket
Other sports do also feature in the fixtures calendar throughout the year but may occur across more than one term. Examples include swimming, football, and athletics/ cross country.
All pupils, irrespective of their individuals sporting talents and interests, are encouraged to represent the school in fixtures, which is achieved by having matches against many different schools and teams across the whole year.
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Children develop at different rates, and we work hard to include everyone so that they can all participate, compete, learn, and develop. This does not mean that every pupil will play in every fixture, however we do try to ensure that each pupil plays in several matches each term. Teams are selected to promote participation and balance, while also ensuring we are competitive, with our stronger athletes featuring in the higher teams.
Wearing PE kit to School
There is a different competitive focus each term giving a full and exciting fixtures calendar
Please note that instead of uniform, on the following days of the week pupils may wear their official PE kit into school (there may be exceptions when uniform is required but communication will be sent as appropriate):
� Year 5 and 6 on Wednesdays (they will need to bring their PE kit in to school every Friday)
� Year 3 and 4 on Tuesdays and Thursdays
Hydration
All pupils should be drinking water regularly and they must ensure they have a named water bottle. This always applies, but is particularly important during sport and activity, where pupils are encouraged to drink frequently.
Sports Fixtures
All our sports fixtures are found in the school calendars, however as things invariably change after calendars have been printed, they are kept updated online. We also use the Evolve system, which current parents will be familiar with for clubs, trips, and payments. New parents will receive separate information on accessing and using Evolve. Each week, teams are selected for the fixtures in the week ahead (occasionally selection will happen during the week of the fixture where final arrangements have not yet been confirmed), and an alert is sent out to relevant parents through Evolve.
Many matches take place during the official fixtures afternoons at the school and have no impact outside of the regular school day, however we will still send out details through evolve whenever competition against other schools is involved.
For all fixtures, you will be required to submit a response to confirm your daughter can play and her travel home arrangements. While we hope you will support her in playing in every fixture for which she is chosen, we understand that a later finish or return to school can make this impossible on some occasions. For away matches, we are not often back in time for the school buses, so alternative arrangements will need to be made if you permit your daughter to play.
There are set responses for Prep pupils in Evolve that you need to select when confirming your daughter’s availability for fixtures. Please note the following:
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� Will be picked up from PHS option: please select this if your daughter is to return to Dovercourt and be collected from here
� Will be picked up from fixture venue option: please select this if you plan to watch the fixture (when not at PHS) and take your daughter home directly from the relevant venue
Please check your emails regularly on fixture dates
� Travel on usual bus route (applicable when fixture return is pre 15:30): please select this if your child usually travels on the school bus and the fixture finish/return allows for her to travel on the bus
You are also able to add individual comments before you submit your response, so please do make the most of this facility as additional notes and explanations are very helpful to us. Please do not use Evolve comments to ask fixture questions or change regular bus home/ aftercare/club plans – these require emails to Louise Hall or Prep Reception as appropriate, to avoid miscommunication.
Home matches take place at Dovercourt and occasionally at the senior school, but please note that we also regularly use HMS Temeraire for our home hockey and cricket fixtures. Away matches generally take place at other schools across Hampshire and West Sussex, with GDST and other specialist events often being further afield. Parents and guardians are welcome to spectate at most fixtures, however whenever this is not possible due to venue or safety restrictions, it will be detailed on Evolve.
Please ensure you carefully read the fixtures information on Evolve each week, as it will detail timings, venues, opposition, and other aspects to note. If fixtures are cancelled once teams have been selected, or at the last minute due to unforeseen circumstances, communication will be sent out via email through Evolve by 12:30 on the day, so please ensure you check emails regularly on fixture dates. If weather on the day suggests a cancellation may be possible and you wish to check, please contact our Prep Receptionist on 02392 824916.
PE Kit and Equipment
It is compulsory to wear our official school PE kit, and this applies to all PE lessons, matches and relevant clubs. All pupils should have the white top, maroon skort, maroon mid-layer top and tracksuit trousers. Hockey and football require the longer maroon socks, whereas for all other activities, white sports socks must be worn. School baselayer tops and leggings are recommended for when the weather declines. Occasionally, such as for running-based events, we may permit pupils to wear plain shorts or leggings instead of their skorts, and this will be communicated out as appropriate. We strongly advise pupils always have spare sports clothes (preferably school PE kit) in their kit bags in order that they can change if they do get wet and/or muddy during fixtures.
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Appropriate sports trainers are needed, and these should be proper sports shoes as opposed to fashion-based brands. Proper trainers offer better support and stability, which are critical for sports performance and in reducing risk of injury both in the short, and long term. As much of our hockey and football is played on an Astro surface, specialist Astro trainers are also recommended for those who wish to buy them. These do not need to be expensive and can generally be found in high street sports shops. Occasionally we play football on grass, and football boots are advised for those selected for fixtures (information will be disseminated as appropriate).
Shinpads are required for hockey and football, and it is critical these are the right size for each individual pupil. To be most effective for hockey, they should cover the full length of the shin, and the style that go underneath the foot and protect the ankle are usually the best. These are worn against the leg with the socks placed on top. As shinpads can make the legs a little sweaty, pupils may wish to wear a thin pair of long socks underneath them.
Gumshields are also compulsory for hockey, and it is vital each pupil has her own. The best ones are those moulded and fitted at the dentist, and most dentists can offer this. However, the basic ‘boil and bite’ versions can be purchased online and in most sports shops. These must be bought and moulded at home. Your daughter should keep her gumshield in a named box/bag and ensure it is always in her kit bag.
Please note that Years 3 to 6 will be starting hockey after the October half term break in 2025, thus should ensure the correct protective kit is all in place by then. Hockey club for Years 4 to 6 starts in September, so for those signing up for our club, note that the protective kit will be required much earlier.
Some pupils also wish to bring their own hockey stick and/or tennis racquet. This is completely optional as we do provide them at school, however they can be sourced at a reasonable price if you prefer your daughter to have her own equipment.
Pupils in KS2 will swim for a term during each academic year and for this, they are required to wear a plain navy or black swimming costume and need goggles and a swim hat (new official school swim hats should be available to purchase from the school later this year; information to follow). Further swimming details will be communicated prior to each year group’s sessions starting. For 2025-2026, swimming will take place for Year 6 and Year 3 in the autumn term, Year 5 in the spring term and Year 4 in the summer term.
For the majority of our inter-house events including House Activity afternoon, Hockey, Sports Day, Cross Country and the Fun Run, pupils should wear a house t-shirt. When the weather is warm and sunny, pupils should wear a baseball cap or visor to help them stay protected from the sun, and when the temperature is colder, a beanie or bobble hat is required (as well as appropriate plain black or navy gloves to keep hands warm).
Prep School Information (continued)
Please note our school branded hats are preferred as headwear and all three versions referred to above can be purchased from the Prep School reception.
Please ensure ALL personal clothing items and equipment are appropriately named so that they can be returned quickly, if found.
Please refer to the school uniform list for more detailed information on sports kit requirements.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me or our Prep Receptionist.
Louise Hall
Co-ordinator of Prep Sport
l.hall@por.gdst.net
Portsmouth High School Uniform Guide
Our comprehensive Uniform Guide will help you as you look to purchase uniform items relative to your daughter’s age and requirements.
Portsmouth High School Uniform Guide 2025
Reading with your child - why not join our Parent/Child Book Club?
A reading group or book club is always a great way to foster a love of reading at any time of the year, but it works particularly well in the holidays when, without the familiar school routine, children’s reading motivation can take a ‘dip’. A parent-child book club in particular is a fun way for families to share books and experience the magic of reading together.
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The aim is to allow you the opportunity to read with your child and spend some time just talking about what you’ve read, which parts you enjoyed most, which parts you enjoyed least, or just “I liked it when….”
The club is open to all girls, in current Years 4/5 and their parents, carers, grandparents or whomever would like to read the book and discuss it with your daughter. Please discuss your reading at home. Girls in Years 4/5 should read “One Boy and his Dog” by Eve Ibbotson.
I have included a couple of questions that you might like to give your opinion on to each other or you might just want to talk about the book generally.
We will meet in the senior school library on Monday 15th September 2025 from 5pm until 6pm to discuss our reading. It might be useful to bring your copy of the book with you.
Mrs
Marie Bartlett, School Librarian
Book for Years 4/5 One Dog and His Boy by Iva Ibbotson
All Hal had ever wanted was a dog. “Never!” cries his mother. “Think of the mess, the scratch-marks, the puddles on the floor.” But on the morning of Hal’s 10th birthday, the unbelievable happens. He’s allowed to choose a puppy at Easy Pets, a rent-a-pet agency (a fact his parents keep from him).
The moment he sees the odd-looking terrier, he knows he’s found a friend for life. But no one tells Hal that Fleck must be returned and when Hal wakes up on Monday morning, Fleck is gone. If dog and boy are to stay together they’ll have to run away...
Do you think Hal’s parents have learned anything from his disappearance? What are your views on the Easy Pet agency?
School Lunches
We believe that giving pupils time to eat and converse over food provides a family atmosphere and cultivates habits and attitudes which will be beneficial beyond their school years. We provide a choice of main course and dessert daily, from a nutritionally balanced, seasonal menu. Our aim is to provide a balanced main meal enabling pupils to be more attentive and energised to help them cope with the remainder of the school day and co-curricular activities.
The GDST fees office will add the cost of your child’s lunch to your annual invoice and the payment will be made through the termly or monthly payment terms that you have
Prep School Information (continued)
agreed with the GDST. Current daily lunch costs for the 2025/2026 academic year are £5.20 per day.
When your child participates in a school trip, they will be given a packed lunch. Please indicate which sandwich would like on the Lunch Request for Educational Visits Form.
We have listed below some frequently asked questions with answers and should be grateful if you could discuss this information with your child.
What if my child does not like the menu options?
There is a wide range to choose from at lunch time; meat and vegetarian dishes, pasta or jacket potatoes with various sauces and toppings accompanied by hot vegetables or salads. Our menus will be available to view once your child joins the school.
What if my child has a special diet?
You should contact Mrs Ayling, Welfare Officer, who will arrange a meeting with you, your child, and Mrs Aistrope to discuss special dietary needs.
How is lunch provided if there is an educational trip?
When your child goes on an educational visit and out of school at lunchtime, they will be given a packed lunch consisting of a sandwich, drink, fruit, and cookie or cake.
School Day
Girls can arrive into school from 8.15am via the side entrance in Portland Road. Please follow the path leading to the side gate in front of our Early Years building where you will be greeted by a member of our team. Registration takes place in classrooms at 8.30am for Pre-School and 8.40am for Reception to Year 6. If your child arrives to school after 8.40am, please enter school via the main Prep School entrance so the office is aware for our registers. Please note there is no parking or drop off on the school site for parents during the school day from 8.00am – 5.00pm.
Our school day finishes at 3.30pm for Pre-School and at 3.40pm for Reception to Year 6 pupils. Please let us know if you have nominated another person to collect your child either at the end of the school day or from Aftercare. We would appreciate you setting a collection password for this purpose within the Forms section.
School Uniform
The ‘School Uniform Policy and List’ (published in our Parent Handbook and in the policies section of the website) gives information about our compulsory and optional uniform items and details the equipment needed for particular subjects. Our uniform supplier is Schoolblazer. Uniform can be ordered via the company’s website: www. schoolblazer.com. There will also be a complete copy of the ‘School Uniform Policy
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and List’ available on the Schoolblazer website. We are sensitive to and demonstrate a respect for the needs of different cultures, races, medical conditions, genders and religions. If any parent has any concerns before or after admission, they are very welcome to contact the Head to discuss alternative arrangements. Our comprehensive School Uniform Guide for the Prep School will help you when purchasing school uniform for your child.
Second-hand uniform
The PSA Second-Hand Uniform Store opens regularly throughout the year, including during the summer holidays. This year the shop will be open on the following dates:
Thursday 7 August
Thursday 14 August
Thursday 21 August
Thursday 28 August
Friday 29 August
Bookings can be made via the following link: https://www.sumupbookings.com/2hu
To ensure we are able to assist you as smoothly as possible, we strongly recommend you sign up to www.schoolblazer.com and input your child/children’s measurements ahead so you know which sizes you require.
Our uniform shop is run by parent volunteers so if you need to ask questions, please email psa2hu@gmail.com We will try to reply as promptly as possible but please allow up 48 hours for a reply.
Summary overview of MyEvolve, Seesaw and the Sims Parent App
The school use an online system for co-curricular clubs and trips called MyEvolve. This online based resource enables you to view all the activities and trips that your daughter is booked on and to book places on new trips and activities as well as make payments. The system will be available to you from the first teaching day that your daughter attends school. Further information about how to log on to MyEvolve will be sent separately in September.
Children’s education is tracked using the online system Seesaw where significant learning moments are captured on iPads and each entry is emailed directly to parents to share in the many successes during the pre-school day. This system allows us to review your daughter’s development daily and produce reports to share with you at regular intervals. To enable PHS to activate your child’s account, please give your consent using the form on the Parent Information area of the website.
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The Parent App enables you to see your daughter’s attendance, timetable, reports, school diary reminders (semi-targeted calendar) and personal information. You will be able to update your and your daughter’s information via the ‘Data Collection’ page and we ask that you check this regularly. Further information on the setting up and use of the Parent App will be emailed to you in September.
Three Year Trip Plan 2025 to 2028
Our three year trip plan will help you plan ahead for trips your daughter might be interested in joining.
Three Year Trip Plan 2025 to 2028
Wraparound Care
Our wraparound care provision will be available if required. It is free for all children attending full-time. Those attending part-time are welcome to use this service at very reasonable rates. Breakfast Club runs from 7.30am to 8.15am each day with Aftercare (Pre-School to Year 2) or Homework Club (Years 3-6) from 3.40pm to 4.45pm (first session) then Aftercare (second session) 4.45pm until 6.00pm.
Parents are able to drive into the car park before 8.00am, please ring our main doorbell (on the left hand side) to alert Mrs Swain and Mrs Elsley who will meet you and take your child inside. At 8.15am, the children will be taken across to Pre-School before registration at 8.30am. Children remaining for the second session of Aftercare will have a snack around 4.45pm (cheese, biscuits and fruit pieces) and care continues until 6.00pm. There is no charge for this provision and it can be booked through myEvolve for regular bookings or via Mrs Michelle Mangnall or Mrs Wendy Noble, our Prep School Receptionists, (email PrepReceptionist@por.gdst.net or telephone 023 9282 4916). We are happy to take ad hoc bookings by email or by telephone, we just ask for any bookings, amendments or cancellations be advised before 2.00pm each day to ensure we have correct staffing ratios. If your child requires breakfast, they should arrive before 7.50am to allow adequate time to finish before going outside.