Over 90 percent of grades at A*-C for Portsmouth High

At Portsmouth High School today, Sixth Formers excitedly received their A-level results marking yet another year of excellent academic and personal achievements for students at the school.

They achieved over 90% A*-C grades. There was an excellent spread of top grades over all subjects. The majority of girls who sat mathematics gained an A*-B, all the girls who sat geography received A*-A; 100% of girls who sat a modern language gained an A*-B and 98% of the year group gained an A* or A in their EPQ.

This latter qualification focuses on producing a dissertation on a wide range of topics in a university style and is an invaluable pre-cursor to higher education.

Nancy Fenton, 18, and the school’s Head Girl, was delighted with her grades of A in History, B grades in both Business and Politics and an A* for her EPQ. She said, “I have had a brilliant time at Portsmouth High School. I started in the Prep School in Year 6 so I have experienced both the prep and senior parts of the school. Combining being Head Girl with my A-levels has been hard but I have been part of the most wonderful year group and we have all discovered that everything comes together when you work as a team.”

Isobel Clark, 18, secured her place at Durham to read Modern Languages with 4 A grades in Mathematics, French, History and her EPQ.  “The A-levels were really hard,’ she said. “But I have had so much support from teachers and friends.”

Ms Lucas, Isobel’s mother added: “My experience of Portsmouth High School has been breathtaking. It has been wonderful to have so much support and all the staff and teachers have really cared and made it their personal mission to make sure that Isobel achieved her potential – and she absolutely has.”

“I am so delighted for the girls as they have performed well across all subjects including the sciences, arts and languages,’ said Headmistress Mrs Jane Prescott. “These results are down to their hard work and excellent teaching from the staff particularly at a time when A Levels have become tougher and are increasingly marked much harder. 

This demonstrates that Portsmouth High School is continuously providing high quality education to girls in Portsmouth and the wider area. We also understand that the school isn’t just about results but about preparing the girls for the next stages of their adult lives.”

Charlotte Foster, 19, who moved to Portsmouth High School Sixth Form after a year at Havant College is moving on to read Medicine at the University of Sheffield.  “I feel it was the best decision to move to Portsmouth High.  I’ve got three As in Biology, Chemistry and Psychology and am so thankful for all the help the teachers have given me here.”

Her father, Mr Foster, added:  “Charlotte has had the best two years at Portsmouth High where her confidence has been built up while remaining grounded. We are delighted for her.”

Mr John Paget-Tomlinson, Deputy Headmaster (Academic) at the school added:

“It is a joy to see how delighted the girls are with their amazing results. There is a tremendous atmosphere within the Portsmouth High Sixth Form. The girls have a real determination to succeed and excellent working relationships with their teachers; it’s a winning combination.”

Throughout the university application process sixth form tutors are on hand to give students one to one advice and support. A focus on monitoring and target setting, as well as specialist careers guidance, ensures every girl is on course to achieve her goals.