Purbrook Park School
| Motto | High Achievement for All" |
|---|---|
| Established | 1906 |
| Type | Foundation school |
| Headteacher | Mr. Paul Foxley |
| Founder | Sir Robert Taylor |
| Location |
Park Avenue Waterlooville Hampshire England Coordinates: 50°51′32″N 1°02′24″W / 50.859°N 1.040°W |
| Local authority | Hampshire |
| DfE URN | 116506 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Staff | 100 |
| Students | 841 |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Ages | 11–16 |
| Website |
www |
Purbrook Park School, often referred to as PPS, is a comprehensive co-educational secondary school situated in Purbrook, north of Portsmouth, Hampshire. The school has an enrollment number of 840 pupils, aged 11 through to 16. It became a trust school in April 2009.
History
The main building has existed on the site since 1769. The original building was built by the eminent Palladian architect Sir Robert Taylor, who was also the architect of the first Bank of England. The estate was bought by John Deverell in 1839 and remained within the Deverell family until 1919, when the estate was sold off at auction because the cost to run it was too great. The house and its 4 acres worth of grounds were sold at auction to Maurice Hill. The house remained empty until 1924 before County Authorities bought the house and its grounds for £11,000.
The house was converted into a grammar school in September 1924 and was known as Purbrook Park County High School. After becoming a popular and well-respected school, the lack of space and facilities soon became known. A new hall and gynamsium were created in 1928 and 1935, respectively. Further outbuildings were made throughout the twentieth century to accompany specialist subjects.
Curriculum
| Subject | Head of Department | Optional or compulsory at GCSE |
| Mathematics | Richard Gunn | Compulsory |
| English | Siobhan Stott | Compulsory |
| Science | Bryn Lloyd | Compulsory |
| Modern Foreign Languages | Roger Wills | Compulsory |
| Physical Education | L Van Den Braak | Compulsory |
| Ethics and Philosophy | L Hughes | Compulsory |
| Art | Megan Harris | Optional |
| Music | Charlotte Faunch | Optional |
| Drama | Claire Gissing | Optional |
| Dance | L Van Den Braak | Optional |
| Design & Technology | Jo Summers | Optional |
| Food Technology | Jo Summers | Optional |
| Geography | Mike Bruce | Optional |
| History | Mike Bruce | Optional |
Trust Partners
Since 1 April 2009, the school has been a trust school.
- Hampshire County Council
- Portsmouth University
- Barnardos
- Havant College
- Novatech
- Southern Co-operative Society
The school is acknowledged by the following organisations:
- Language College
- Investor in People
- International School Awards
- Arts Council England
- Specialist Schools and Academics Trust
- School Achievement Award
- Cisco Systems
Purbrook Park County High School
- Maj-Gen Paul Bray CB, Paymaster-in-Chief and Inspector of Army Pay Services from 1989–92
- Raymond Dobson, Labour MP from 1966-80 for Bristol North East
- Sir David Hopwood, John Innes Professor of Genetics from 1968-98 at the University of East Anglia, President from 1985-7 of the Genetical Society and from the 2000-3 of the Society for General Microbiology
- Air Vice-Marshal Patrick Neville CB OBE DFC, Chief of Air Staff from 1986-9 of the Royal New Zealand Air Force
- Dr Reginald Rainey OBE, entomologist, President from 1979-81 of the Royal Entomological Society of London
- Kim Winser, Chief Executive from 2006-9 of Aquascutum