Independent school for boys and girls

The Portsmouth Grammar School: entry, assessments, dates and fees

High Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2LN

Facts checked 19 October 2026By ExamKind Editorial TeamSchool website

Can we apply, and when?

For September 2027 entry

Registration closes
Not published yet
Places
Not published
Fees at 11+, day
£8,538a term
2026–27 school year, including VAT
Checked, source: The Portsmouth Grammar School, checked 11 Oct 2026

The Portsmouth Grammar School sets its own tests and decides after them and the interviews. We have not found a published pass mark, so we do not show one.

How entry works

In short

The Portsmouth Grammar School (PGS), on the High Street in Portsmouth, is a selectiveThe Portsmouth Grammar School: SelectivityChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: The Portsmouth Grammar School is an academically selective school, with selection based upon academic merit which is assessed through an examination, interview and references.View the official source day school for boys and girls (co-educational)The Portsmouth Grammar School: PupilsChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: We are fully co-educational throughout the school.View the official source. Pupils join the senior school at 11+, 13+ and 16+. The school's dated admissions timetable and events list load by script and were not captured, so this page does not show September 2027 entry dates yet.

How entry works

Ways in, and how children are assessed

The Portsmouth Grammar School takes new pupils at 11+, 13+ and 16+. Each way in has its own tests and dates.

11+ entry
How children are assessed: an English paper, a maths paper, a reasoning paper, a piece of creative writing, an interview and a reference from the current school.

Other ways in: 13+ and 16+Places, tests and registration for each

13+ entry
How children are assessed: an English paper, a maths paper, a reasoning paper, an interview and own subject papers.
16+ entry
How children are assessed: an English paper, a reasoning paper, an interview, a reference from the current school and GCSE grade requirements.

Source: The Portsmouth Grammar School, checked 11 Oct 2026

More about entry from our guide

Children joining before the senior school go to The Portsmouth Grammar Junior School, which shares the school's website. We are covering it as a separate school, so this page deals with senior entry only.

11+ (Year 7)

Year 7 candidates also write a creative or extended piece, and the school asks their current school for a reference. Scholarship applications for September 2027 entry closed on Friday 25 September 2026The Portsmouth Grammar School: Scholarship deadline (2027)Checked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: The closing date for Year 7 and Year 9 applications was Friday 25th September 2026; the closing date for Year 12 applications is Friday 16th October 2026.View the official source.

What the school assesses: interviewThe Portsmouth Grammar School: InterviewChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: At 11+ candidates sit assessments in English, Mathematics, Creative Comprehension, Creative Writing, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and on a separate date, close to these assessments, candidates are also interviewed.View the official source; creative or extended writing taskThe Portsmouth Grammar School: Own creative writingChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: At 11+ candidates sit assessments in English, Mathematics, Creative Comprehension, Creative Writing, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and on a separate date, close to these assessments, candidates are also interviewed.View the official source; school's own English assessmentThe Portsmouth Grammar School: Own englishChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: At 11+ candidates sit assessments in English, Mathematics, Creative Comprehension, Creative Writing, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and on a separate date, close to these assessments, candidates are also interviewed.View the official source; school's own maths assessmentThe Portsmouth Grammar School: Own mathsChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: At 11+ candidates sit assessments in English, Mathematics, Creative Comprehension, Creative Writing, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and on a separate date, close to these assessments, candidates are also interviewed.View the official source; school's own reasoning assessmentThe Portsmouth Grammar School: Own reasoningChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: At 11+ candidates sit assessments in English, Mathematics, Creative Comprehension, Creative Writing, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and on a separate date, close to these assessments, candidates are also interviewed.View the official source; reference or report from current schoolThe Portsmouth Grammar School: ReferenceChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: References from a candidate’s current school are usually requested shortly before the 11+ assessments.View the official source
The school’s current admissions information covers: entry in September 2027The Portsmouth Grammar School: Current cycleChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: Scholarship Applications are now open for September 2027 entry.View the official source

Entry in September 2027

Step	Date
Bursary application by	Friday 25 September 2026The Portsmouth Grammar School: Bursary deadline (2027)Checked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: Applications for Financial Assistance for 2027 entry are now open and must be completed by Friday 25th September.View the official source
Scholarship application by	Friday 25 September 2026The Portsmouth Grammar School: Scholarship deadline (2027)Checked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: The closing date for Year 7 and Year 9 applications was Friday 25th September 2026; the closing date for Year 12 applications is Friday 16th October 2026.View the official source

Entry in September 2028

Step	Date
Registration closes	The Portsmouth Grammar School: Registration deadline (2028)Not yet published by The Portsmouth Grammar School; last checked 11 Oct 2026.The source says: Scholarship Applications are now open for September 2027 entry.View the official source
Assessment	The Portsmouth Grammar School: Assessment date (2028)Not yet published by The Portsmouth Grammar School; last checked 11 Oct 2026.The source says: Scholarship Applications are now open for September 2027 entry.View the official source
Offers	The Portsmouth Grammar School: Offer date (2028)Not yet published by The Portsmouth Grammar School; last checked 11 Oct 2026.The source says: Scholarship Applications are now open for September 2027 entry.View the official source

13+ (Year 9)

Year 9 candidates sit subject papersThe Portsmouth Grammar School: Own subject papersChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: At 13+, candidates sit assessments in English, Maths, a Modern Language and Non Verbal Reasoning and, on a separate date close to these assessments, candidates are also interviewed.View the official source as well as English, maths and reasoning, and are interviewed. The school can make an early, conditional offer of a Year 9 place.

What the school assesses: interviewThe Portsmouth Grammar School: InterviewChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: At 13+, candidates sit assessments in English, Maths, a Modern Language and Non Verbal Reasoning and, on a separate date close to these assessments, candidates are also interviewed.View the official source; school's own English assessmentThe Portsmouth Grammar School: Own englishChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: At 13+, candidates sit assessments in English, Maths, a Modern Language and Non Verbal Reasoning and, on a separate date close to these assessments, candidates are also interviewed.View the official source; school's own maths assessmentThe Portsmouth Grammar School: Own mathsChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: At 13+, candidates sit assessments in English, Maths, a Modern Language and Non Verbal Reasoning and, on a separate date close to these assessments, candidates are also interviewed.View the official source; school's own reasoning assessmentThe Portsmouth Grammar School: Own reasoningChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: At 13+, candidates sit assessments in English, Maths, a Modern Language and Non Verbal Reasoning and, on a separate date close to these assessments, candidates are also interviewed.View the official source; subject papersThe Portsmouth Grammar School: Own subject papersChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: At 13+, candidates sit assessments in English, Maths, a Modern Language and Non Verbal Reasoning and, on a separate date close to these assessments, candidates are also interviewed.View the official source
Offers made early for deferred entry: YesThe Portsmouth Grammar School: Deferred offerChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: Candidates who have pre-tested successfully receive an offer of a conditional place, subject to a satisfactory performance in the 13+ assessment.View the official source
The school’s current admissions information covers: entry in September 2027The Portsmouth Grammar School: Current cycleChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: Scholarship Applications are now open for September 2027 entry.View the official source

Entry in September 2027

Step	Date
Scholarship application by	Friday 25 September 2026The Portsmouth Grammar School: Scholarship deadline (2027)Checked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: The closing date for Year 7 and Year 9 applications was Friday 25th September 2026; the closing date for Year 12 applications is Friday 16th October 2026.View the official source

Entry in September 2028

Step	Date
Registration closes	The Portsmouth Grammar School: Registration deadline (2028)Not yet published by The Portsmouth Grammar School; last checked 11 Oct 2026.The source says: Scholarship Applications are now open for September 2027 entry.View the official source
Assessment	The Portsmouth Grammar School: Assessment date (2028)Not yet published by The Portsmouth Grammar School; last checked 11 Oct 2026.The source says: Scholarship Applications are now open for September 2027 entry.View the official source
Offers	The Portsmouth Grammar School: Offer date (2028)Not yet published by The Portsmouth Grammar School; last checked 11 Oct 2026.The source says: Scholarship Applications are now open for September 2027 entry.View the official source

16+ (sixth form, Year 12)

Sixth-form applicants are interviewed and need to meet GCSE grade requirements. Sixth-form scholarship applications close on Friday 16 October 2026The Portsmouth Grammar School: Scholarship deadline (2027)Checked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: The closing date for Year 7 and Year 9 applications was Friday 25th September 2026; the closing date for Year 12 applications is Friday 16th October 2026.View the official source.

What the school assesses: GCSE grade requirementsThe Portsmouth Grammar School: Gcse requirementsChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: If successful they will be made conditional offers taking into account their predicted GCSE grades.View the official source; interviewThe Portsmouth Grammar School: InterviewChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: They will sit assessments in English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and they are also interviewed.View the official source; school's own English assessmentThe Portsmouth Grammar School: Own englishChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: They will sit assessments in English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and they are also interviewed.View the official source; school's own reasoning assessmentThe Portsmouth Grammar School: Own reasoningChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: They will sit assessments in English, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and they are also interviewed.View the official source; reference or report from current schoolThe Portsmouth Grammar School: ReferenceChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: References from the candidate’s current school or college will also be requested before an offer is made.View the official source
The school’s current admissions information covers: entry in September 2027The Portsmouth Grammar School: Current cycleChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: Scholarship Applications are now open for September 2027 entry.View the official source

Entry in September 2027

Step	Date
Bursary application by	Friday 25 September 2026The Portsmouth Grammar School: Bursary deadline (2027)Checked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: Applications for Financial Assistance for 2027 entry are now open and must be completed by Friday 25th September.View the official source
Scholarship application by	Friday 16 October 2026The Portsmouth Grammar School: Scholarship deadline (2027)Checked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: The closing date for Year 7 and Year 9 applications was Friday 25th September 2026; the closing date for Year 12 applications is Friday 16th October 2026.View the official source

Entry in September 2028

Step	Date
Registration closes	The Portsmouth Grammar School: Registration deadline (2028)Not yet published by The Portsmouth Grammar School; last checked 11 Oct 2026.The source says: Scholarship Applications are now open for September 2027 entry.View the official source
Assessment	The Portsmouth Grammar School: Assessment date (2028)Not yet published by The Portsmouth Grammar School; last checked 11 Oct 2026.The source says: Scholarship Applications are now open for September 2027 entry.View the official source
Offers	The Portsmouth Grammar School: Offer date (2028)Not yet published by The Portsmouth Grammar School; last checked 11 Oct 2026.The source says: Scholarship Applications are now open for September 2027 entry.View the official source

Key dates

11+ dates for September 2027 entry

All dates checked 11 Oct 2026The Portsmouth Grammar School

Done: Bursary applications close
Fri 25 Sept 2026
Only if you are applying for help with fees
Done: Scholarship applications close
Fri 25 Sept 2026
Only if you are applying for a scholarship

Dates for the other ways in13+ and 16+

13+ entry, September 2027

Done: Scholarship applications close
Fri 25 Sept 2026
Only if you are applying for a scholarship

16+ entry, September 2027

Done: Bursary applications close
Fri 25 Sept 2026
Only if you are applying for help with fees
Done: Scholarship applications close
Fri 16 Oct 2026
Only if you are applying for a scholarship

A year younger? 11+ dates for September 2028 entrySome are not published yet; we show what the school has said.

Not published yet: Registration closes for 11+ entry
Not yet published, checked 11 Oct 2026
Not published yet: Entrance tests
Not yet published, checked 11 Oct 2026
Not published yet: Offers sent
Not yet published, checked 11 Oct 2026

At a glance

The Portsmouth Grammar School in brief

Scholarships: 5 kinds; Awards for a talent, such as academic work, music or sport.
Day or boarding: day pupils only; Whether pupils go home each day or can live at the school.
Ways in: 11+, 13+, 16+; The ages at which the school takes new pupils (4+, 11+ and so on).
Help with fees: Yes, up to 100%; Bursaries reduce fees for families on lower incomes, after a check of income and savings.
Registration fee: £120VAT not stated by the school; Paid to the school when you register your child for its tests.

Fees

From £8,538 a term, including VAT

11+ entry, day: £8,538 a term, including VAT
13+ entry, day: £8,538 a term, including VAT
16+ entry, day: £8,538 a term, including VAT

Fees for the 2026–27 school year, as the school publishes them. We never add or remove VAT.

the published fees include VAT

Registration fee: £120 (VAT not stated by the school).

Deposit when you accept a day place: £500.

Source: The Portsmouth Grammar School, checked 11 Oct 2026

The published fees include VAT, and every year group from Year 7 to the sixth form pays the same termly fee.

Joining at	Day
11+	£8,538 per term (including VAT)The Portsmouth Grammar School: DayChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: Year 7 to 13 \| £25,614 \| £8,538View the official source
13+	£8,538 per term (including VAT)The Portsmouth Grammar School: DayChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: Year 7 to 13 \| £25,614 \| £8,538View the official source
16+	£8,538 per term (including VAT)The Portsmouth Grammar School: DayChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: Year 7 to 13 \| £25,614 \| £8,538View the official source

Registration fee: £120The Portsmouth Grammar School: Registration feeChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: There is a non-refundable registration fee of £100 (Pre-School) and £120 (all other years) per child.View the official source
Acceptance deposit (day): £500The Portsmouth Grammar School: Deposit dayChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: Upon acceptance of a place, we ask for a £500 deposit to be paid and that you digitally sign our Terms of Admission, submitted via OpenApply; this deposit is refunded to you on the invoice at the start of the first term.View the official source

Bursaries and scholarships

Bursaries up to 100% of fees

Bursaries (help with fees): Available, up to 100% of the fees. They depend on a check of household income and savings. Income guide: £80,000 combined household income (before tax) (the school's guide figure).
Scholarships: For academic, art, drama, music and sport, at 11+, 13+ and 16+ entry.

Source: The Portsmouth Grammar School, checked 11 Oct 2026

Scholarships in art, drama, music and sport are offered at 11+, 13+ and 16+, and the school also awards academic scholarships. Means-tested financial assistance is a separate route.

Largest bursary: up to 100%The Portsmouth Grammar School: Max percentChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: Each application is considered individually and a discount ranging from 10% to 100% of tuition fees may be awarded.View the official source of fees, means-tested
Income guide: £80,000 (combined household income (before tax), guide)The Portsmouth Grammar School: Income thresholdChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: Combined income of up to £80k would likely be considered for fee assistance, with the level of assistance dependent upon other factors.View the official source
Scholarships offered: academicThe Portsmouth Grammar School: AcademicChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: Our academic scholarships are awarded based on the results of our entrance assessments and can not be applied for.View the official source, artThe Portsmouth Grammar School: ArtChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: A range of scholarships are available to apply for in Art, Drama, Music and Sport, we do recommend you read our Scholarship Guide linked below before applying.View the official source, dramaThe Portsmouth Grammar School: DramaChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: A range of scholarships are available to apply for in Art, Drama, Music and Sport, we do recommend you read our Scholarship Guide linked below before applying.View the official source, musicThe Portsmouth Grammar School: MusicChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: A range of scholarships are available to apply for in Art, Drama, Music and Sport, we do recommend you read our Scholarship Guide linked below before applying.View the official source, sportThe Portsmouth Grammar School: SportChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: A range of scholarships are available to apply for in Art, Drama, Music and Sport, we do recommend you read our Scholarship Guide linked below before applying.View the official source
Scholarship entry points: 11+The Portsmouth Grammar School: 11 plusChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: Candidates for Years 7, 9 and 12 entry are able to apply for scholarships in Art, Drama, Music and Sport;View the official source, 13+The Portsmouth Grammar School: 13 plusChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: Candidates for Years 7, 9 and 12 entry are able to apply for scholarships in Art, Drama, Music and Sport;View the official source, 16+ (sixth form)The Portsmouth Grammar School: 16 plusChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: Candidates for Years 7, 9 and 12 entry are able to apply for scholarships in Art, Drama, Music and Sport;View the official source

Open days

Not published yet

The school's events list loads by script, so our capture of its visit page holds no dated open events and we have not listed any. We have asked for the list to be captured by hand; the admissions team can tell you about visits in the meantime.

Results, as published by the school

A level grades A* to A: 62.3% (2026)

A level grades A* to A, 2026
62.3%A level grades A* to A, 2026Checked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: 2026 | 27.4 | 62.3 | 85.2View the official source
No earlier year published
A level grades A* to B, 2026
85.2%A level grades A* to B, 2026Checked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: 2026 | 27.4 | 62.3 | 85.2View the official source
No earlier year published
GCSE grades 9 to 7, 2026
59.7%GCSE grades 9 to 7, 2026Checked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: 2026 | 19.9 | 38.2 | 59.7View the official source
No earlier year published
GCSE grades 9 to 8, 2026
38.2%GCSE grades 9 to 8, 2026Checked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: 2026 | 19.9 | 38.2 | 59.7View the official source
No earlier year published

Results are the school's own figures. Schools count them in different ways, so compare with care.

Year	Measure	Figure
2026	A level grades A* to A	62.3%The Portsmouth Grammar School: A level astar apercent (2026)Checked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: 2026 \| 27.4 \| 62.3 \| 85.2View the official source
2026	A level grades A* to B	85.2%The Portsmouth Grammar School: A level astar bpercent (2026)Checked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: 2026 \| 27.4 \| 62.3 \| 85.2View the official source
2026	GCSE grades 9 to 7	59.7%The Portsmouth Grammar School: Gcse9to7 percent (2026)Checked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: 2026 \| 19.9 \| 38.2 \| 59.7View the official source
2026	GCSE grades 9 to 8	38.2%The Portsmouth Grammar School: Gcse9to8 percent (2026)Checked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: 2026 \| 19.9 \| 38.2 \| 59.7View the official source

What is distinctive about applying to PGS

One PGS admissions page still says applications are open for September 2026 entry, while the fees and scholarships page covers September 2027 entry, so the first page is out of date. We treat September 2027 as the current round: scholarship applications for Year 7 and Year 9 closed on Friday 25 September 2026The Portsmouth Grammar School: Scholarship deadline (2027)Checked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: The closing date for Year 7 and Year 9 applications was Friday 25th September 2026; the closing date for Year 12 applications is Friday 16th October 2026.View the official source, and for the sixth form they close on Friday 16 October 2026The Portsmouth Grammar School: Scholarship deadline (2027)Checked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: The closing date for Year 7 and Year 9 applications was Friday 25th September 2026; the closing date for Year 12 applications is Friday 16th October 2026.View the official source.

Financial assistance can cover up to 100%The Portsmouth Grammar School: Max percentChecked 11 Oct 2026 against The Portsmouth Grammar School.The source says: Each application is considered individually and a discount ranging from 10% to 100% of tuition fees may be awarded.View the official source of tuition fees. The school's admissions policy and its financial assistance policy describe the value of scholarships differently, so we have not shown a scholarship value until we have checked it with the school.

Official documents and sources

10 sources, each kept as an archived copy

Department for Education (Get Information about Schools)
Spreadsheet · copy archived by ExamKind on 11 Oct 2026
The Portsmouth Grammar School
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 18 Oct 2026
The Portsmouth Grammar School
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 18 Oct 2026
The Portsmouth Grammar School
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 18 Oct 2026
The Portsmouth Grammar School
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
The Portsmouth Grammar School
PDF document · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
The Portsmouth Grammar School
PDF document · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
The Portsmouth Grammar School
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 18 Oct 2026
The Portsmouth Grammar School
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026
The Portsmouth Grammar School
Web page · copy archived by ExamKind on 10 Oct 2026

ExamKind is independent. We are not connected with The Portsmouth Grammar School, its council or any test provider, and nobody pays to appear on this page. How we check facts · Report an error on this page

Can we apply, and when?

Ways in, and how children are assessed

11+ entry

13+ entry

16+ entry

11+ (Year 7)

13+ (Year 9)

16+ (sixth form, Year 12)

11+ dates for September 2027 entry

13+ entry, September 2027

16+ entry, September 2027

The Portsmouth Grammar School in brief

Fees

Bursaries and scholarships

Open days

Results, as published by the school

What is distinctive about applying to PGS

Official documents and sources