In 1732 the dying wish of Dr William Smith, Mayor of Portsmouth and Physician to its Garrison, was that the Dean and Canons of Christ Church, Oxford would use his gift of land to establish a grammar school in Portsmouth.
Our Vision
After travelling for his own education, Smith returned to a successful career in Portsmouth, having experienced for himself the transformative power of learning. In his legacy, he wished to make it possible for the city’s children to experience the same excellence in education and to develop a hunger for broader horizons.
As the oldest school in the city, we honour the legacy of our Founder, while offering our pupils a forward-looking preparation for the modern world.
We wish the members of our community to be both happy and successful, and our purpose as a school is to offer an outstanding education that prepares each individual to lead a fulfilled and purposeful life. The Main Archway is symbolic of our inclusivity as a school community and our desire to expand horizons.
In the spirit of our founder, Dr William Smith, we encourage our pupils to think not only about where they will be at 18 but where they aspire to be at 25. Portsmouth is, after all, a city concerned with destinations.
All experience is an arch therethrough, Gleams that untraveled world.
- Tennyson
Our Aims
We wish the members of our community to:
- Be happy and thrive
- Enjoy learning and pursue success to the best of their ability
- Be prepared for the changing world beyond school
- Make an active contribution and live purposeful lives
- Develop a sense of identity and to be their own person
The PGS Core
At the heart of everything we do is the PGS Core. By being part of this community, each one of us aspires to the attributes of curiosity and creativity, courage and commitment, compassion and collaboration.
