Admissions

Opportunities to Visit

School Tours

The school is open for visitors on most Tuesday mornings during term time. The tours begin at 9.15 am, followed by a question and answer session with the Headmaster, and end at about 11.00 am. During the morning parents and prospective pupils see classes and activities during a normal school day. The dates for the next School Tours during the Autumn term 2011 and Spring term 2012 are as follows:

Tuesday, 10 January 2012

Tuesday, 31 January 2012

Tuesday, 13 March 2012

Individual appointments

Our Headmaster, Tim Cook, would be delighted to meet you individually to discuss your child and show you around the school (appointments take place during the mornings only).

Please telephone the school office (020 7307 8700) to arrange an appointment with the Headmaster or to reserve a place on one of the School Tours. Alternatively, please visit our website: www.portland-place.co.uk.

PLEASE NOTE:

The entrance examination for entry in September 2012 will take place on:

Tuesday, 24 January 2012 at 9.30 am

Entrance Examination

The entrance examination is used to select pupils and to put them into sets when they start. These tests are very familiar to the pupils.

Exams are normally taken in the year before entry at Portland Place School. However, in exceptional circumstances your child can sit an entrance examination at their existing school.

Years 5 and 6
9+ and 10+ pupils are assessed informally by the Headmaster or Deputy Headmistress. Children are interviewed and perform short tasks in English and Mathematics over one hour.

Year 7
There are tests in English and Mathematics and they are based on the work a child covers in Year 6 of their prep. or primary school - each paper last forty-five minutes.

Years 8 and 9

An interview with the Headmaster, or a senior member of the teaching staff and by written examinations in English, Mathematics and Science (each paper lasts 45 minutes).

Year 10

An interview with the Headmaster, or a senior member of the teaching staff and by written examinations in English, Mathematics and Science (the English and Mathematics papers last one hour and the Science paper lasts 45 minutes).

If you have any questions about any aspect of the entrance exam, please call the Admissions Registrar on 020 7307 8700.

The Sixth Form

The Sixth Form Centre is located in 143-149 Great Portland Street; however, the students may take advantage of all the school’s facilities and its other two buildings which make up the overall campus of Portland Place School. Students in the Sixth Form are managed by the Head of Sixth Form along with eight Personal Tutors, all of whom maintain daily contact with the students during either registration times or tutorial sessions. The Head of UCAS and Careers works with the Head of Sixth Form and her tutors to provide students with the full educational and pastoral support that they need during this two year period.

In the first year of the Sixth Form, the Lower Sixth, students are expected to take four AS Levels leading to examinations in the Summer Term. Students are advised to take subjects for which they have a natural aptitude and a genuine interest. Each AS Level student is taught a minimum of five hours a week, per subject; however, in most subjects, practical sessions; trips; visits to galleries, exhibitions and plays, are all strongly encouraged thus complementing the lessons whilst enhancing the students’ knowledge of their chosen subjects.

In addition to their AS Levels, students in the Lower Sixth enjoy a varied Cultural Studies programme; this takes place every Thursday afternoon. Each week, students are given the opportunity of attending workshops; playing sport; visiting universities; attending Cookery School and/or a variety of other activities which meet the students’ general interests.

In the second year of the Sixth Form, the Upper Sixth, students usually drop one of their AS Levels so that they may concentrate on completing three A Levels in full. At this point, students are advised by the relevant staff so that they make sensible choices that will not affect their applications for specific courses at university. In addition to his or her lessons, each student is allocated one period a week to spend with a Personal Tutor; during this time, students will be supported for both their academic and pastoral needs. All applications to UCAS are completed by the end of term and particular emphasis is given on advising students to apply for appropriate degree courses. Students are also given mock interviews and feedback.

The Sixth Form is rapidly expanding; however, it still maintains a degree of informality, partly because the students do not have to wear a uniform. Students enjoy the relaxed atmosphere but are also monitored on a daily basis, to ensure that they are working conscientiously so as to fulfil their potential. The students benefit from small class sizes – the average A Level set comprises eight students – in addition to bright, spacious classrooms; a beautiful new library; access to air-conditioned ICT rooms, at any time, and an enviable common room with panoramic views over Central London. Although they do have to attend a daily registration each morning, students are free to come and go as they please, provided that they attend all of their lessons.

For further information please refer to the Sixth Form Admission Procedure document.