Mayville High School, Southsea

Mayville High School is an independent co-educational day school in Southsea, Portsmouth, England.HistoryMayville High School was founded in the home of Lottie West at 1 Gains Road in Portsmouth and moved to a number of different locations before settling in its current premises. Between 1911 and 1936 the school accepted boarding pupils but they were later transferred to Charmandean Manor School in Worthing, West Sussex. In September 1936, it was reopened as a day school. During the Second World War, when Portsmouth was heavily damaged during German bombings, Mayville was one of the few schools which were not evacuated. In 1980 Mayville became a charitable trust. Boys were formally admitted during the 1990s, though there had already been a small number attending since the end of the War. The school is now coeducational but boys and girls are taught separately.AcademicsMayville caters to children aged 2 to 16. Junior School pupils are generally given automatic entry into the Senior School while new applicants must pass a test and an interview. The school caters to pupils of all abilities and there are specialised "units" to attend to gifted children and those with learning disabilities.Early yearsThe Early Years Foundation Stage at Mayville is divided into 3 areas:SwansThe Swans are housed in a learning space called ‘The Cottage’, with different rooms focused on creativity, imaginative play, building and construction, and science and investigation. The Cottage includes a kitchen where food is prepared for pupils and an outdoor area where children are encouraged to play. Swans pupils are often taken out on short trips by foot, by minibus, or in six-seater buggies.