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What it's like

Founded in 1908 by Brothers of the Lasallian Order, it occupies an attractive urban site in the town of Southsea. Originally a boys' school, it first admitted girls in 1993 and is now fully co-educational. The school's mission has always been to provide a well-rounded academic, social and personal education based securely on clear Christian principles and values. Academically, an all-ability school, its aim is excellence for all its children, whatever their particular strengths and starting points and to ensure that pupils gain a breadth of vision and depth of understanding that prepares them effectively for their future life. There is a range of sporting and extra-curricular activities, including the Duke of Edinburgh's Award which is being introduced.

Pupils & entrance

Pupils: Total age range 2-18; 640 pupils, 514 day (345 boys, 169 girls), 126 boarding (79 boys, 47 girls). Junior department, 2-11, 113 pupils (87 boys, 26 girls). Senior department, 11-18, 527 pupils (337 boys, 190 girls). Entrance: Main entry at 2, 5, 11 and 16. Common Entrance and own entrance exam used; for sixth form entry, 5 GCSEs at least grade C. No special skills or religious requirements; children who are gifted or talented welcomed. Approximately 50% of senior intake from own junior; 50% from state schools at 11, 5% of sixth-form intake .

Scholarships & bursaries

Some 25 pa scholarships, 10 awarded at 11 and 15 at 16 (18 academic, 3 sport, 2 music) value 20%-50% of fees. 15 pa means-tested bursaries, most awarded at age 11.

Parents

Up to 60% live within 30 miles of the school, 10% overseas.

Head & staff

Headmaster: Nigel W Thorne in post from 2001. Educated at Bishop Wordsworth school, Salisbury, and the universities of Oxford and London (geography). Previously Headmaster of Rydal School, Deputy Headmaster at Caterham, Head of Department at Harrow. Teaching staff: 54 full time, 8 part time. Annual turnover 10%. Average age 38.

Exam results

GCSE: 85 pupils in upper Year 11: 75% gain at least grade C in 8+ subjects, 15% in 5-7 subjects. A-levels: 45 in upper sixth: 27% pass in 4+ subjects, 57% in 3 subjects - gaining an average final point score of 305.

Pupils' destinations

90% of sixth form leavers go on to a degree course (8% after taking a gap year). 3% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 33% in science and engineering, 12% in law, 20% in humanities and social sciences, 2% in art and design, 30% in other subjects eg finance, sports therapy, criminology.

Curriculum

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 20 subjects offered at GCSE, 19 at AS/A-level. Sixth form: Most pupils take 4 AS-levels, 3 A-levels. General studies taught but not examined. Vocational: Work experience arranged through careers department. Special provision: Significant learning support unit. EAL also offered. Languages: French (compulsory) and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS-level and A-level. Regular exchanges to France. ICT: Taught across the curriculum. GCSE and A-level offered. 120 computers for pupil use (12 hours a day) all networked with email and internet access; 2 ICT suites, banks of computers in library, a few pupils with own laptops. Interactive whiteboards in all classrooms.

The arts

Music: Up to 25% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Drama and dance: GCSE, AS and A-level drama offered. Some pupils involved in school/house productions. Art and design: On average, 25 take GCSE, 8 AS-level, 3 A-level.

Sports & activities

Sport: Rugby, netball, cricket, hockey, rounders compulsory. Athletics, tennis optional; soccer for sixth form. GCSE and A-level offered. Rugby and cricket teams U15/U16 county champions; U18 rugby runners up. Activities: Pupils can take bronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award (from 2011), Sea Cadets is optional. Approximately 10 clubs, including public speaking, politics, creative writing.

School life

Uniform: School uniform worn, except in sixth form. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Head boy/girl, prefects, head of house and house prefects, appointed by Headmaster. School Council. Religion: Attendance at religious worship compulsory. Social: Some links with Portsmouth High School. Trips abroad include exchanges to Rouen and Moscow. Pupils may bring own bike to school (and cars in sixth form). Meals self-service. No alcohol allowed.

Discipline

A firm but fair approach to discipline. Pupils who fail to produce a piece of homework will be given a warning; possession of cannabis or other illegal substances may expect exclusion (zero tolerance for pedalling).

Boarding

10% of pupils have their own study bedroom, 90% share with 2-3 others. Single-sex houses of approximately 20, divided by age. Daytime nurse on site (pupils registered with local GP). Pupils may provide and cook own food. Flexible exeats. Visits allowed to local town, different rules for different age groups.

Association of former pupils

Old Johannian Society, c/o the school

Former pupils

George Allagiah (BBC newsreader); Anthony Minghella (film director); Duncan Kennedy (BBC news reporter); Lieutenant General Sir Michael Willcocks (formerly Black Rod).