Portland Place School Prospectus

“a small, nurturing school in the heart of London with a distinctive ethos. Ideal for lively and engaged youngsters, it’s a godsend for parents looking for unpressurised environment that offers inspirational teaching and great opportunities ”.

– Good Schools Guide 2023

A place where potential can run free.

Success can be measured in many ways. At Portland Place School, we believe it should be defined by far more than a set of numbers.

We believe in helping each child find their own individual path. We believe in the power of creativity to enlighten and inspire learning experiences. We believe in nurturing a sense of wonder and encouraging the spirit of discovery.

These elements, taken together, embolden our pupils and enable them to reach further. They create an environment that supports growth at a personal, social and academic level, and one where children have the freedom to find their own true measure of success.

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Use the QR code to hear our headmaster talk about our ethos.

A place where happiness comes first

A place where creativity

David Bradbury Headmaster

is celebrated

10.

A place where learning is rooted in life’s realities

“A more creative way to get the best from your child”.

Happiness gets results

A place where happiness comes first.

Small classes allow an active focus on supporting the emotional and mental wellbeing of every student.

COACHING

A combination of structured guidance and emotional support for every student.

A programme of experiences to develop the skills and selfconfidence of every student.

The importance of happiness in education should never be underestimated. It is only when children feel comfortable that they are truly in the right frame of mind to welcome new ideas and actively engage in their learning.

At Portland Place, happiness has always been at our heart. We prioritise giving children time and space, not tests and scores. Our students learn in small classes where pushiness and pressure are replaced by patience and a personal approach.

As a result, the children we teach are calmer, more contented, and able to learn within a positive atmosphere full of possibilities.

Emotional CREATIVE ACADEMIC BALANCED

Emotional CREATIVE ACADEMIC BALANCED

Emotional development.

Students who understand themselves and how to connect with others.

Creative development.

Students who are unconstrained in their thinking and open to new ideas.

Academic development.

Students who value their educational experience and are inspired to learn.

We will help them tap into, and draw confidence from, the creative energy that exists within every one of us”.

> Football

> Netball

> Basketball

> Health-related fitness training

> Gymnastics

> Dance

> Table tennis

> Tennis

> Badminton

> Tag/touch rugby & rugby union

> Swimming

> Cross country & athletics

> Rounders

> Cricket & Kwik cricket

> Softball

> Ultimate frisbee

> Fencing

> Horse riding

> Running club

> Weight training & fitness training (HIIT)

> Boxing

Creative Arts

At Portland Place, we are passionate about the Creative Arts, both as a vehicle for learning and an outlet for personal expression.

Free instrument loans and tuition for Year 7s, expert-led workshops, showcase productions, inter-school competitions and festivals, the chance to perform at RADA – there is an almost endless number of ways that children can uncover their talents and hone their skills.

And whether they are most comfortable mastering their own compositions on GarageBand or mastering the language of Shakespeare in our drama studio, we will help them tap into, and draw confidence from, the creative energy that exists within every one of us.

Sport and physical education

With a diverse PE curriculum and a wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer, our pupils are given every chance to experience the teamwork, competition and sheer enjoyment that comes from participating in sport.

From football, netball and rugby to racquet sports, dance and ultimate frisbee, there is truly something for everyone in either PE lessons or lunchtime and after-school clubs. Further to the spaces within our central London location, we are also gifted access to pitches at Regent’s Park, the Indoor Academy at Lord’s and facilities at the University of Westminster as well as the use of the Seymour, Oasis, Moberly and Westway sports centres.

Students compete for their school House each term, accumulating points for the House Cup, with our whole school Sports Day providing the climax to the year’s events in summer. Inter-school fixtures are played across all years in a variety of sports, with pupils selected on ability as well as their commitment and willingness to take part.

Our pupils regularly participate in Westminster Borough and London Youth Games competitions as well as ISA regional events, while our ski trips and school sports tours provide an annual chance for boys and girls to experience sport further afield, whether that’s football in Barcelona and Madrid or netball in Malta and Barbados.

A place where everyone has a  platform to perform.

A place where creativity is celebrated.

At Portland Place, we don’t think creativity is a concept that should be reserved just for an art and design class. For us, creativity is about adding a splash of colour right across the entire curriculum, firing up young minds and fuelling fresh thinking.

It can be seen in the fact that we have music rehearsals within the surroundings of RADA. It can be seen in the innovative methods used to teach physics, biology and chemistry. It’s the reason the Good Schools Guide describes us as “a haven for creativity”.

Underpinning this philosophy is the skill of our highly knowledgeable staff, who are able to break free from teaching’s traditional shackles to use their lessons as a doorway to fascination, surprise and adventure.

The school allows you to try out different things, there are lots of sports, art classes, drama and creative arts used in the school.

There is no doubt that our school days shape how we see the world. That’s why, at Portland Place, we are proud to offer an educational experience that benefits our pupils for life itself.

Situated in the centre of one of the world’s most vibrant, multicultural cities, we are a school community that is both naturally diverse and actively inclusive. Not only are we accepting of all, we also have a deep understanding of how to support individuals so they can excel beyond their own expectations.

Whatever venture they decide to embark on next, our pupils are ready to adapt and able to get on with people of all kinds of abilities, cultures and backgrounds. They are inquisitive, interested people, equipped with the intelligence and attitude to achieve on their own terms.

A real life education.

A place where learning is rooted in life’s realities.

“

We are proud to offer an educational experience that benefits our pupils for life itself”.

The school day starts for students with registration and form time.

By stimulating their natural powers of imagination and creativity, we add new dimensions to our students’ learning. 13:50

In their first lesson students will typically focus on wellbeing, coaching, citizenship or PSHE.

Physical education plays a key role in school life and pupils participate in  a diverse range of sports within an inclusive, enjoyable atmosphere.

Technology equips teachers and pupils with dynamic resources and interactive tools to enhance learning wherever appropriate.

12:50

Time to gather in the dining hall for a healthy lunch, cooked fresh daily by our chef and catering staff at no extra charge.

Our day

Our weekly enrichment programme offers students new skills. Activities range from horse riding and jewellery making to photography, yoga, eco-club and rock band.

15:45

Pupils have great opportunities within our wide selection of 50 extra-curricular, after-school and lunch clubs, including LAMDA, fencing, Mandarin and debating.

With 50 extracurricular, afterschool and lunch clubs on offer, students can develop their skills in everything from fencing and LAMDA to Mandarin and debating.

Our pupils are truly prepared to venture into the world when their time comes.

The horizon

28% All

at grades 7-9

34% (National data: 16%)

at grades 7-9

Significant positive value added by at least 1 grade

Source: Cambridge CEM data

A place to make plans for new beginnings.

Through all the aspects of an education at Portland Place, our pupils are truly prepared to venture into the world when their time comes.

Socially, they will have benefited from being part of an inclusive, diverse school community, building friendships and finding inspiration among people who will forever be part of their life experience.

Academically, they will have benefited from small classes, excellent teaching and our personalised STRIVE programme, enabling them to develop at their own pace and secure the best possible opportunities available.

Personally, they will have benefited from teaching infused with the spirit of creativity and discovery, providing them with the foundations to recognise their own strengths, identify their own path, and feel ready to pursue their own personal goals, whether that’s studying for A-Levels, undertaking creative training, or accepting an industry apprenticeship.

ENQUIRE BOOK EVENT APPLY

Next steps

A place for your child.

We would be delighted to welcome you to Portland Place School to understand more about what we can offer your child.

In the first instance, please contact the Admissions department using the details above to find out about our forthcoming Open Events or to arrange a visit. After you have had the chance to see the school for yourself, you will then be able to make an application for your child.

We understand, of course, that this is an important decision, and we are keen to ensure you have all the information you need about our school. To discuss any matters with us, please get in touch, and we look forward to welcoming you here at Portland Place School.