The Portsmouth Grammar School helps inspire with community outreach events

Reflecting the ambition of its Founder, Dr William Smith in 1732, The Portsmouth Grammar School aims to inspire and engage children to learn, and not only the children that attend the school.
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Published 14th Sep 2023, 09:58 GMT
A journalism workshop at Portsmouth Grammar School was led by Mark Waldron, Editor-in-Chief at The News. Submitted pictureA journalism workshop at Portsmouth Grammar School was led by Mark Waldron, Editor-in-Chief at The News. Submitted picture
A journalism workshop at Portsmouth Grammar School was led by Mark Waldron, Editor-in-Chief at The News. Submitted picture

“We have a strong programme of community outreach,” says David Wickes, Head of The Portsmouth Grammar School. “It is important that we have a strong connection to the city, it’s part of our identity and home to many of our pupils. My aim is to make the school accessible to all – that could be through attending as a pupil, visiting for an event or working with us to establish programmes to benefit the city.”

The recent Gifted & Talented event for pupils in Year 5 at local schools is an example of this outreach.

“Pupils from six local primary schools were nominated by their teachers to attend three days of academically enriching activities,” says Julie Jackson, Assistant Head (Admissions & Partnerships) at PGS. “They took part in a range of activities including science, geography, design technology, and art. The aim is to allow them to build on what they have learnt in school and to extend their knowledge. We also want them to have fun, which they certainly seemed to!”

Gareth Hemmings, Director of Music, leads a workshop. Submitted pictureGareth Hemmings, Director of Music, leads a workshop. Submitted picture
Gareth Hemmings, Director of Music, leads a workshop. Submitted picture

Sarah, a pupil at Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School said: “I enjoyed the lessons because they were fun and different from the norm. Also, the teachers were very bright and enthusiastic.”

“If these children apply to PGS for Senior School, we’ll invite them to come to workshops to prepare for the 11+ entrance assessments,” continues Julie. “This is part of our new Club 1732 initiative to help support and encourage applicants from local schools.”

Community outreach is not solely focussed on academic activities. Music was the key to a partnership project with Portsmouth Cathedral to take singing to local primary schools. “Staff from PGS and the cathedral, along with choristers, worked with 500 pupils from schools in Emsworth, Portsmouth and on the Isle of Wight in singing workshops,” explains Gareth Hemmings, Director of Music at PGS.

Bryony Hart, Teacher of English at PGS, worked with Portsmouth Education Partnership to create a city-wide Journalism Workshop. Year 7 pupils from six secondary schools took part in a day led by Mark Waldron, Editor-in-Chief at The News to learn how to develop a news story and what life is like as a journalist. The pupil’s work was then published in as special supplement in The News. “We learnt a lot, so it has been fun,” said Luca and May, both PGS pupils. “We learnt about the fantastic opportunities open for us and the exciting elements of reporting. We wrote about bursaries, the financial aid for students to attend PGS.”

Portsmouth Grammar School aims to inspire and engage children to learn. Submitted picturePortsmouth Grammar School aims to inspire and engage children to learn. Submitted picture
Portsmouth Grammar School aims to inspire and engage children to learn. Submitted picture

“We are based in a diverse and vibrant city,” David Wickes concludes. “I love to see new people come through our arch and into our school to experience the excitement and enthusiasm for learning that we aim to create.”

To find out more about The Portsmouth Grammar School, visit www.pgs.org.uk

Related topics:Music