Introduction

This website, which has been developed by former pupils of the Southern Grammar School for Boys, Portsmouth (Old Secundrians), records the history of the school from its inception in 1888 until 1975 when, under UK government reforms, it became a comprehensive school.

Our aim is to develop the site using contributions from many former pupils and staff - not just one or two individuals - and we seek your active involvement in this respect; there is more about that in the Old Secundrians and Contributors sections. Having found your way to the site we very much hope that you will now take the next step by getting involved and let us have your contribution.

See details of the whole site on the "Site Map" page. To navigate to any particular Section just click on the button at the top of the Home page. Sub-sections can be found by clicking on the links within each main Section page (eg to get to Headmasters just click on the “People” link in the Home page and then on “Headmasters” in the People page). To return to the Home page just click on “Home” at the top of each page.

This site is an updated version from that previously produced by Hector McNeil ( the Association is extremely grateful for the time, effort and advice that Hector has given and also the server space that he provides). We hope that visitors to the site will enjoy it and provide us with feedback on your likes and dislikes as well as advising where any errors appear.

Notices and Recent/Forthcoming Events

* Change to the Old Secundrians pages. Please note that due to the increasing size of the Old Secundrians dinner etc page we have now split this into three separate pages. The first focuses on the 2009 dinner, the second on past dinners and the third on other events of general interest.
 
· Annual dinner 2010 On Friday May 7th, 130 former pupils and staff gathered for dinner at the Brookfield Hotel Emsworth. This was, again, a record attendance in modern times (all tickets were actually completely sold out). Jim Riordan, Professor of Russian, former Moscow Spartak soccer player, author, Portsmouth FC fanatic (!!) and former pupil of the school, once again gave a hugely entertaining speech - based on this year's theme of "The Staff" .  Former staff Ian Watson, Pete Holdsworth, John Hobson, John Gibbons and Brian Naysmith attended. Another highly successful event - and thanks, again, to the Brookfield Hotel for looking after us so well. Images can be seen on the Old Secundrains page.
 
· Baffins school building. As announced at the 2008 dinner, the school buildings at Baffins (currently used by Portsmouth College) were due to be significantly redeveloped in the next couple of years. We  had a preliminary invitation from the College Principal to visit and tour the building in advance of the redevelopment and, perhaps, to have a meal there. Thank you for all of those who expressed an interest in taking up the offer. However, we have recently been advised (November 2009) that due to the recession this redevelopment has been scrapped - so the present buildings are expected to remain intact for the foreseeable future. We shall keep members advised if there are any further devbelopments.

· Website.  We are keen to develop the alumni part of the site (see "Where are they now?" in the People Section) where Old Secundrians can record their own details. We also want to receive anecdotes (which will be censored!!) of memories of staff, pupils and events from the past.  Remember, the success of the site is dependent upon participation from the many rather than the few providing their details. We are eager to receive new material for inclusion on the site now that most of our current material has been included - see "Become a contributor" below

* Year groups. Various year groups will be organizing their own ad hoc get-togethers during the course of the year.

* Notices. If any Old Secundrian wishes to include a suitable notice on the Message Board please contact Peter Higgins (see Contacts)

Ongoing work

This site remains "work in progress" with further material being added as and when it is contributed. So keep a regular eye open for new material.

Become a contributor

In order to improve the content of this site we rely upon information supplied by former staff and pupils of the school. We warmly welcome contributions in the form of written material, documentation and photographs for use on this site. We particularly welcome details of the names of pupils and staff appearing in images, feedback calling attention to missing details on any section as well as pointing out any inaccuracies. If you are able to contribute something (see Contributors) please contact Peter Higgins - see Contacts. Remember, the site is only as good as the contributions that are made to it.  Please remember, this is your site. We hope you will enjoy it - and ensure that others who may be interested are made aware of it.