Who was your house named after?

Early beginnings: the colour houses 

The first houses were introduced just before the first World War, created to encourage teamwork, friendly rivalry, and enthusiasm for sports and wider school activities. These original four houses - Red, White, Blue and Buff - quickly became woven into daily life at PGS. 

A new era: honouring key figures 

In the 1920s, the houses were renamed to celebrate individuals who played important roles in the founding and development of the school. The new house names - Smith, Grant, Latter and Whitcombe - linked pupils to the School’s history in a more personal and meaningful way. 

Smith 
This was named for Dr William Smith, a former burgess, alderman, and Mayor of Portsmouth, as well as physician to the Portsmouth garrison. In his Will of 1732, Smith instructed that funds from his Great East Standen estate on the Isle of Wight be used to establish a grammar school in Portsmouth. His generosity made the creation of The Portsmouth Grammar School possible. 

Grant 
Canon Edward Grant, vicar of Portsmouth for 31 years, played a central role in the School’s revival in the 1870s. Deeply committed to education, he was instrumental in the refounding of the School and became its first Chair of Governors. Grant also helped with the establishment of Portsmouth High School and supported the creation of the School of Art and Science - the forerunner of today’s University of Portsmouth.  

Latter 
The Latter house commemorates Thomas Latter, a London-based architect whose generous bequest funded scholarships to Oxford and Cambridge for pupils intending to take Holy Orders, supporting academic ambition and opportunity. 

Whitcombe 
Joseph Whitcombe was a successful Portsmouth businessman who later devoted himself to civic life, serving as Mayor in 1881. A strong advocate for accessible education, he funded scholarships at the Royal College of Music and frequently paid school fees for boys unable to afford them. A long-serving governor of PGS, his Will of 1892 also provided for scholarships for fatherless boys. 

As PGS expanded, Lower and Junior School houses were added to support younger pupils and strengthen the sense of belonging from the earliest years of school life. The names of these houses will be explored in the future.