Bay House

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Bay House was established as an 11-18 comprehensive school in 1972 on the site of the former Gosport Grammar School. It enjoys an attractive seaside setting, with views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight. The School occupies well-equipped buildings based on the historic Bay House (built in 1838 as a marine villa for the Baring family).

The School has 12 forms of entry and the total number on roll is over 2,100. The School's intake is confined to its catchment area, except for those families living outside still able to place their children in the School because of siblings already attending Bay House.

There are currently 330 students in the Sixth Form. A Level results have been outstanding: in 2006, for the seventh year running, the School's average A/AS Level point score was one of the highest in Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight combined. Indeed, we remain in The Times' Top Comprehensives for A Level, and feature in The Times' Top Schools (including independent and selective schools).

Key Stage 2 and our annual NFER testing of Year 7 entrants shows mean scores below the national average. In this context, the GCSE examination performance of Bay House pupils has consistently been above par. Regularly more than 95% achieve at least five GCSE passes A*-G, including Maths and English, and the number of top grades is usually high enough for us to be one of the media's top schools. Our last Ofsted Report was very encouraging.

Teaching at Bay House is organised through subject Departments and the pastoral system is year-based. Pupils keep the same tutor and head of year throughout Year 7-11, so far as staffing stability allows. There are approximately 130 (full-time equivalent) teaching staff currently in post.

Pupils with special educational needs are catered for by the Learning Support Department and pastoral staff. Bay House is proud of its record in helping pupils with a wide range of special needs, including learning difficulties, sensory impairment, Down's Syndrome and autism. It is also well known for meeting the needs of the most able. Children of exceptional all-round ability are identified and their talents extended, from Year 8, through additional courses and extra-curricular activities designed to enrich the basic curriculum.

High standards of pupil cooperation and discipline are maintained by communicating clear expectations whilst formally acknowledging effort and achievement. However, when disruptive or anti-social behaviour occurs, it is dealt with firmly and by applying sanctions on a consistent basis.