New Head of PGS Junior School Announced for January 2011

The Portsmouth Grammar School is delighted to announce the appointment of Mr Peter Hopkinson as Head of the Junior School from January 2011, when Mrs Pippa Foster retires after 23 years of outstanding service.

Mr Hopkinson is currently Head of the Arnold Junior School, Blackpool which, like PGS, is an HMC day school educating girls and boys from 2-11 in preparation for the senior school.

Mr Hopkinson is married to Michaela, a qualified Teaching Assistant, and they have two children: Hope (aged 10) and Joseph (aged 7).

Educated at Xaverian Sixth Form College, Manchester and Sheffield City Polytechnic, Mr Hopkinson gained his PGCE at the University of Manchester. A former Head of PE and Games, he has maintained his commitment to sport as a coach in football, rugby and cricket, and is passionate about the outdoors, leading large residential trips to the Lake District every year.

There was a strong field for the post including a number of serving Heads. To help in the selection process, a panel of pupils from Years 5 and 6 had the opportunity to ask their own questions, which ranged from “What is your perfect school?” to “How would you get children to eat more vegetables?”

The Headmaster, Mr James Priory, commented, "We are very excited by Mr Hopkinson’s appointment and look forward to welcoming him and his family to Portsmouth as they exchange Blackpool for the attractions of the south coast!”

Mr Hopkinson sent this special message to pupils and parents:

“The prospect of leading such a vibrant and happy Junior School is one that fills me with great excitement and no shortage of pride. To become part of a school that has such great history and tradition will be a real privilege and I cannot wait to take up my post. My wife, Michaela, and children, Hope and Joseph, are equally excited about the move to Portsmouth and more so becoming part of the Portsmouth Grammar School family. I am passionate about primary education and in ensuring that children are provided with a rich and diverse range of opportunities to learn and I am delighted to be joining a school that shares this desire. I look forward to meeting you all over the coming months.”

The Junior School, located in Old Portsmouth, educates around 500 girls and boys from 2-11 and is celebrating its tenth birthday in 2010 as a combined Junior School.