The Portsmouth Grammar School harnesses the power of role models throughout its teaching

Mr. Alex Chappell, Assistant Director of Sport and Physical Education | The Portsmouth Grammar School

The power of role models cannot be underestimated when it comes to inspiring our young people.

Whether it’s through watching sporting heroes, learning from dynamic teachers or participating with parents or peers, The Portsmouth Grammar School works to collaborate with role models inside and outside school to inspire its students.

One of the core values at The Portsmouth Grammar School (PGS) is collaboration. This is epitomised by the sports department, which has been using the power of role models to positively influence pupils.

Pupil-to-Pupil Role Modelling

One method it used to implement the power of role modelling, was through collaboration of the younger and older pupils, especially in the sports department. This year, Year 12 pupils supported the Years 3 to 6 pupils during their sports day.

The older pupils get a lot out of the junior sports days as they are able to remember where they started and can see how much they have improved.
For our younger pupils it’s great, the Year 12s offer so much encouragement and really try to implement a growth mindset within the junior school’s athletes.

Mr. Alex Chappell, Assistant Director of Sport and Physical Education

The school said it had seen a record number of pupils attending athletics last term. Miss Amy Chaplin, Head of Athletics and Year 12, highlighted the importance of role models saying: “Role modelling is really important for young people, because as much as I tell them that running is great and they will love it. They’re more convinced when someone, a little bit closer to their age says so.”

Role models at home

PGS encourages role models at home as well as at school, and achieves this through collaboration. Various family events throughout the year give parents and pupils the opportunity to work together in a fun and friendly way through sport.

For example in January, there was family circuit training. Pupils went around the course with a parent or guardian, jumping through hoops, using a skipping rope, and throwing balls. There was also a family fun run to test and improve fitness levels.

Parents and guardians are the most common role models for children. So we feel it important to present opportunities for families to interact in a friendly and healthy way outside of the home.

Mr David Wickes, Head of The Portsmouth Grammar School

Inspirational teachers

Many famous athletes have claimed that their biggest inspiration was their schoolteacher. Famous names such as Jessica Ennis-Hill and Ian Wright have spoken about the impact teachers have had on their career.

Teachers at PGS work hard to inspire their pupils, not just verbally but through their actions. Whether they be running the Great South Run or undertaking a personal challenges, like Mr Alex Leach. The challenge was for PGS to cycle to Uganda where we are partners in learning with Kikaaya College School. Mr Leach cycled in the school’s playground for an entire school day, achieving over 200 km in 7 hours. He then cycled the entire width of the UK, a further 330 km. Pupils then cycled the final 6000km over the summer holidays.

At The Portsmouth Grammar School, the power of role models is harnessed through collaboration across all age groups. The sports initiatives highlight pupil-to-pupil and teacher-led role modeling, encouraging growth and community. This approach not only nurtures athletic talent but also instills lasting values of collaboration and courage in their pupils.

PGS also enjoy adding a bit of fun and competitiveness between the teachers and pupils, including PGS staff v pupil hockey, netball and cricket teams.

From nursery to sixth form

The Portsmouth Grammar School is open to pupils from the age of two and a half (Pre-School) and has intakes Reception; Year 3 (7+); Year 7 (11+); Year 9 (13+) and Sixth Form (16+), although the school welcomes enquiries in between these times for pupils from overseas or students new to the area whose families are relocating.

There is still time to apply for a place to start next year. The closing date for 2025 entry applications is Friday 20th September. To find out more or book a visit take a look at the website here (and click on apply for entry details)