"Having a bursary to attend PGS definitely changed my life.

PGS was a thriving space full of like-minded and ambitious individuals. Without the bursary, my family most definitely wouldn't be able to afford it. I will forever be grateful for the impeccable quality of teaching and genuine care the teachers have for the students.

The main take-away I took from PGS was motivation and drive. The work ethic of the students is incredible, and very influential. Now, I'm humbled to say I have a BSc Biomedical Science and am currently working as part of a 2-year graduate scheme for a pharmaceutical company in London.

I am beyond thankful to the school's donors for giving me the opportunity to study at PGS, as from time to time I do ponder how my life would've panned out had I not attended."

"PGS gave me some of the happiest and most exciting years of my life so far. As well as enjoying countless opportunities to indulge my love of music, I was l encouraged to throw myself into drama, journalism, hockey and even teaching French to 6-year-olds! It was a particular privilege to serve as Head Boy in my final year, with its unique combination of challenges and rewards.

It goes without saying that PGS offers a top-tier education and excellent preparation for public examinations and university. I remember having such fun learning from inspiring teachers of English, History and French (amongst others!); however, I was most captivated by science. This led me to medical school and now a clinical-academic career that lets me marry my interests in clinical psychiatry and neuroscience research. I’m currently based at UCL, where I am preparing a clinical PhD application, having recently completed a year-long research fellowship at King’s and Imperial. 

I am sure that none of this would have happened if I had not attended PGS for five great years. I will always be grateful to those who support bursaries at PGS, without which I would not have been able to attend this remarkable school."

"When I was in Year 6, my parents knew of PGS but were not planning on sending me there for secondary school as they could not afford it. However, the headteacher of my primary school convinced them to have me take the entrance exam just in case I got a bursary/scholarship, and I did. 

The biggest thing that PGS has helped me with would be the enormous help they provide for university applications. Due to this help, I managed to get an offer from Oxford for Mathematics and Computer science; I am not very certain if this would have happened if I did not attend PGS. 

In addition, PGS also has provided me with many opportunities to participate in fun and interesting activities, such as weekly sport, even in Sixth form (i.e. games), the Ivy House award, many co-curricular clubs that run during the school day, CCF, DofE, and many more."

“Receiving a bursary to study at the PGS Sixth Form was a true honour and gratifying gift. It gave me validation and told me that all of my hard work was paying off. If you have supported PGS bursaries, then I want to say thank you. Thank you for playing your part in recognising my past achievements, seeing my potential and investing in my future.

Each day at PGS brought new exciting challenges and opportunities. The support I had from my incredible teachers was second to none and every day I was pushed to be the best I could be. Studying at PGS enabled me to secure a place to study pharmacy at my dream university. I know that if it was not for the generosity of kind people like you, it would have been more challenging to achieve this goal. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for everything you do to support PGS.”

"The opportunities I had while at PGS were invaluable and have helped me become the person I am today. The experienced staff always pushed me to be the most ambitious version of myself, a supportive pastoral care system made me feel safe and nurtured at school, and the resources available allowed me to flourish academically as well as developing a strong set of extracurriculars.  

My love for learning and passion for architecture was nurtured at PGS, which continued into my university studies and work placement. Last year I returned home to work at Hampshire County Council’s in-house design and property services team, before my third year of studies at the University of Bath. This year I begin at Eric Parry Architects in London, an international architecture firm that has inspired me since my days at PGS. I have grown to appreciate the long-term benefits and connections that PGS has provided, which wouldn’t be possible without receiving a bursary.  

I hope that the bursary scheme can provide equal opportunities to aspirational students to thrive at PGS and beyond."

"As a recipient of the PGS bursary programme, I must admit that my life would have been very different if not for this kind act of generosity displayed by the school and their donors.

I come from not a financially well off background and would never have dreamed of attending a private school if not for the bursary programme. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here at this prestigious school. Attending PGS really helped shape me as a person and allowed me to heighten my educational prowess whilst developing skills that granted me the ability to be a functioning member of society. Having attended a state school before my time at PGS, I can say that there is a vast difference of level in all aspects and I am proud to have called Portsmouth Grammar School my school of choice. Even after having left PGS to attend university, I still feel part of the community and am comforted that there is support available to me if needed. This programme has inspired me to become the best I can truly be and to one day contribute myself to the bursary scheme and help another child be the greatest they can be.

Hopefully, my anecdote has shown the benefits of such a life-changing opportunity and has persuaded you to seek the kindness in your heart and donate to such an amazingly metamorphic initiative."  

"Without significant bursarial support, I would never have been able to access the extraordinary opportunities that come with a Portsmouth Grammar School education.

I joined the school in Year 7 after sitting the 11+ exam, and ended up staying until the end of Year 13. Throughout my time at PGS, I was acutely aware of how privileged I was to experience such an array of inspiring teachers and excellent facilities. When I was not being challenged in the classroom, my weeks were filled with various co-curricular activities, including drama, Portsmouth Point and even a spell in the RAF, all of which was underpinned by an outstanding level of commitment from staff members. I would say that the thing I am most grateful for from my PGS experience is the confidence that was instilled in me. I was invited to have great ambition, with teachers that were willing to invest time and energy into my academic passions. I was always made to feel that my thoughts and opinions were worth sharing, and felt supported in my every aspiration. The level of dedication that my teachers demonstrated during my university application is something that I will never forget. Whether through practice interviews, subject meetings, streams of emails or just a simple chat, the Sixth Form staff were tireless in their efforts to equip me with both the knowledge and self-belief to succeed. Without their constant encouragement and reassurance, I may never have gained an offer to study at an institution as prestigious as Oxford. I am now in my second year as a Spanish and German student at Lincoln College, and look forward to discovering where my career will take me next.

I am so pleased that PGS is providing financial support to more pupils from a lower socio-economic background, and hope that their time at the school will prove to be as formative as my own." 

"Attending PGS has been an incredible experience for me, not only has it opened many doors for me but it has also taught me so much about myself and others.

Here at PGS I walked into a happy and supportive environment where everyone, including teachers, students and staff, are happy to help you in any way possible. The levels of encouragement you receive here are overwhelming. For example, I’m taking my Spanish A level a year early, and the amount of support I receive from the Spanish department has made this so much easier for me, whilst also pushing me to strive for the highest grade I can achieve, making it the perfect balance between encouragement and assistance. Being here has also allowed me to take part in many activities and opportunities which can benefit me in the future and help me in university. For example, writing for the school blog and magazine, Portsmouth Point, or getting involved in clubs and societies such as the Politics Society or MUN.

During my first year in PGS I have found that it has been a big change from my old school, causing me to have to adapt to the new environment, but everyone here made it an easy and enjoyable transition, making me very thankful for this opportunity."

"Receiving a PGS bursary has truly transformed my life.

Not only is PGS a prestigious institution, it is a chance to explore a world of opportunities that would have otherwise been out of reach. Thanks to the bursary, I’ve had access to exceptional education, dedicated teachers who tailor their approach to my needs, advanced facilities, and a supportive community that encourages me to excel. From delving into a range of subjects to discovering my passion for science through practical experiments, every aspect of my journey at PGS has shaped my academic and personal growth. Without this opportunity, I wouldn’t have achieved the excellent GCSE grades or gained the clarity about my future career path. The impact of such bursaries extends far beyond an individual; it opens doors for countless students to realise their potential and contribute meaningfully to society.

Your support can help change lives and inspire a new generation of scholars to pursue their dreams."