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Nursery at The Portsmouth Grammar School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Conversation, shared problem-solving and questions about the sky give this pre-school its character. Speech and language receive sustained attention, while science gives children something concrete to investigate and discuss. Learning to express an idea matters here.
The Portsmouth Grammar School’s pre-school caters for girls and boys aged 2½ to 4 at its High Street site in Portsmouth. In September 2025, the nursery provision comprised two classes within the school’s early years setting.
Language is a clear strength of the nursery day. The September 2025 ISI inspection found that purposeful conversations and organised activities helped pre-school children speak confidently. Teachers and key workers planned sessions around children’s existing understanding, choosing activities and resources to move their learning forward. That makes adult interaction part of the learning itself, rather than simply supervision.
Early years learning connects different skills. Mathematics appears within music, design and technology, and science; scientific exploration includes questions about what the sky can teach us. These links give children opportunities to use ideas across activities, rather than encounter each subject in isolation.
Group work also has a practical purpose. In September 2025, children listened to each other, tackled problems together and helped their peers, developing respect alongside social confidence. Activities involving both smaller movements and whole-body movement supported physical development and helped children manage feelings and behaviour. The emphasis reaches beyond what children know to how they communicate, cooperate and take part.
Settling begins with a two-hour Settling In Session, running from 08:45 to 10:45 as part of the pre-school entry process. This gives a child a defined period to experience the setting before an offer is made.
Teachers work alongside key workers to support children’s early learning. Leadership includes a Head of Pre-School and Infants and a Pre-School Lead; the latter also holds a deputy designated safeguarding role. In September 2025, early years children were supervised effectively. Behaviour procedures across the school were still being embedded, with staff working towards more consistent application, a qualification families should keep alongside the positive findings.
Food requires a little planning. Under the 2025/26 arrangements, hot lunch was charged separately, and children attending the Teatime Session needed to bring a packed tea. Families should obtain current charges from the school when planning their child’s attendance.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Reception applicants use the school’s application and assessment route through OpenApply. Existing nursery families should confirm their next steps with Junior School admissions.
The Reception assessment lasts about 20 minutes and needs no preparation. Children take part in play activities, draw a picture and bring a favourite object or toy to discuss. Junior School applications have no fixed deadline, although early applications are encouraged because space in the relevant year group matters.
The 2025/26 session model offered a Core Day from 08:30 to 15:30 and an Extended Day from 07:30 to 18:00. The three-hour options were morning, 08:30 to 11:30, and afternoon, 12:30 to 15:30. Lunch and shorter care sessions provided additional booking options.
For families using only the 15 funded hours under those arrangements, the choices were five morning or afternoon sessions, limited to one per day, or three mornings with an hour’s lunch session plus another morning or afternoon. Hot lunches attracted an additional charge. Paying for hours beyond the funded allocation allowed access to all session types.
The 2026/27 calendar distinguishes days reserved for 38-week provision, including 19 to 23 October 2026. Match the attendance pattern to the nursery calendar when arranging childcare. Enquiries and visits can be arranged through OpenApply or the Junior School admissions team on 023 9236 4244.
The pre-school age range is 2½ to 4, for girls and boys.
The 2025/26 arrangements offered mornings from 08:30 to 11:30, afternoons from 12:30 to 15:30, a Core Day from 08:30 to 15:30 and an Extended Day from 07:30 to 18:00.
Under the 2025/26 arrangements, funding-only bookings followed two specified patterns: five morning or afternoon sessions, one per day, or three mornings with lunch sessions plus one further morning or afternoon. Hot lunches were charged separately.
Yes. The pre-school entry process includes a two-hour Settling In Session from 08:45 to 10:45.
No. The school accepts Reception applications through OpenApply and carries out an assessment. Existing nursery families should confirm their next steps with Junior School admissions. Junior School applications have no fixed deadline, but early applications are encouraged because places depend on space.
