University Success

Pupils at The Portsmouth Grammar School have been receiving offers to continue their studies at some of the top universities in the country. Amongst these are six pupils who have been offered places at Oxford and Cambridge colleges (pictured above) and one pupil who will be heading to the United States to study at Harvard.  

“Achieving places at these top flight universities requires a great deal of commitment to your studies,” says Mr David Wickes, Head of The Portsmouth Grammar School. “They deserve to be very proud of their achievement.”  

The pupils who have received offers at Oxbridge colleges are:  

Sophia C, to read Architecture at Queen’s College, Cambridge  

Tilly C, to read Psychology at Cambridge  

Grace G, to read History at Corpus Christ College, Cambridge  

Harry C, to read Master’s in Chemistry (MChem) at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford   

Jiali H, to read Psychology & Linguistics at Oxford  

Marinela P, to read History & Politics at Oxford  

Alex B has been offered a place at Harvard to read Economics.  

These pupils follow a strong tradition of PGS pupils going to study at Oxbridge colleges, with almost 700 pupils having taken places there since the school opened. “Earlier this academic year we unveiled new boards celebrating the school’s proud history of producing students who go on to study at Oxford and Cambridge,” continued Mr Wickes. “Almost 500 OPs are listed that have gone on to Oxbridge colleges since the early 1980s, demonstrating the high level of academic excellence at PGS that continues today.”  

“I remember doing a little fist pump in the air when I read the letter,” said Jiali who has an offer to read Psychology & Linguistics at Oxford. “My mum full-on screamed when I told her. If you’re thinking of applying to Oxbridge, my biggest piece of advice is to believe that you can do it. I used to think I’d never get in and then I went to the open day, met the current students, and realised that they are also just human.”  

"I was in the library when I found out about my offer, and it was silent working, so I had to keep quiet,” said Harry, who joined PGS in Year 7 and has been offered a place to read Chemistry at Oxford. “I am super excited about heading to Oxford though and I’m looking forward to the rowing there.” 

"I am most looking forward to campus life in a different country and experiencing everything that it has to offer,” said Alex (pictured left) who has been offered a place at Harvard. “I was ecstatic upon hearing the offer, it had been a very long process. When I applied to universities in America as an international student, it felt like I was playing a board game that I didn’t know the rules to. My advice would be to make sure you take all the help that is offered to you if you are thinking of applying abroad.”  

“I was in the Sixth Form Café when I opened the email from Cambridge Admissions and was struck by an overwhelming feeling of shock and elation, followed by tears down the phone from my parents who were equally as excited,” said Tilly C, who joined PGS for Sixth Form. “I am keen to immerse myself in all aspects of life in Cambridge. From the societies, libraries, socials and rowing!” 

“I am most looking forward to the freedom and independence that Cambridge provides with their history course, as I am given the opportunity to study the parts of history that truly interest me,” said Grace. “I was very shocked upon getting my offer as I truly believed my interview went extremely badly!”  

“After seeing the offer, I think the easiest way to say it is that I melted in my chair and then went to call my mum,” said Sophia, who joined PGS in Year 3. “I'm excited to study architecture at Cambridge since I find it fascinating how architecture connects both culture, design, and science. This is especially so since the optional modules provide perspectives for topics less closely connected to architecture but can be applied to the design.”  

 The university application process is still ongoing for many pupils. Applicants for the particularly competitive Medicine and Dentistry courses are still in the rigorous round of interviews with a range of universities from the University of Edinburgh and Imperial College London through to Exeter University, Kings College London, and Cardiff University.    

Other pupils have already received offers for courses ranging from Data Science, Aerospace Engineering, Astrophysics and Law to Neuroscience, Acoustics & Music Technolgy, Journalism, Microbiology, Classics & the Ancient World and Theatre & Performance Studies which show the diversity of interest, depth of knowledge and achievement from our pupils.  

“The diversity of academic interests amongst our Sixth Form pupils is clear from the range of subjects they are planning to study beyond The Portsmouth Grammar School,” concludes Mr Wickes. “They have secured offers at some of best universities in the country and indeed the world. Our focus now is to continue to support them to achieve these strong aspirations over the coming months.”