The Harbour School partners with City of Portsmouth College to encourage student success
The Harbour School in Portsmouth, an alternative provision for students with a range of social, emotional and mental health needs, has partnered with the City of Portsmouth College as part of the school's Harbour Future Skills initiative.
Launched in September 2025, the initiative aims to connect students at the school with local employers, encouraging confidence and raising young people’s aspirations through in school workshops, meet the teacher days and visits to workplaces.
The programme has now introduced a partnership with the City of Portsmouth College, introducing Year 10 students to the possibility of post-16 education and aiding with the transition from school to further education.
Jane Marshall, the Harbour Future Skills and Careers Lead, said: “The college programme has had a really positive start with an increasing number of student engagement. Support will focus on helping our students transition confidently into college, reinforce that higher education is available for them and that they belong in that environment.
“The programme will hopefully help to motivate our students to work towards the grades required for their preferred course and future pathways.”
College is offered to most students at the school’s Bridge and Bay campus, and this term the school has seen 25 students enrol.
Harbour Future Skills sessions take place every Thursday, delivered in partnership with Portsmouth City Council and local charity Shaping Portsmouth.
Through its Shaped by Solent initiative, Shaping Portsmouth has helped The Harbour School build strong links with employers across the city.
As a result, the college ran taster workshops for Year 10 students. These workshops began in September 2025 and prepared the students to start their in-college sessions by introducing them to the courses available, including Cooking, Hair and Beauty, Business and Enterprise, Childcare, Sport, and Art.
These initial visits allowed college staff to begin forming bonds with students through classroom activities such as designing logos, exploring graffiti names, and baking shortbread and cakes. Beyond the workshops, tours of the college campus were organised for Year 10 and 11 students, along with support travelling to college by bus.
Jane added: “Starting college is a daunting for everyone, especially our students. An increasing number are embracing the opportunity to attend college, and it’s great to see them flourish in a different environment.”
Along with the Year 10 cohort, several Year 11 students are also involved with the initiative, one of whom has been accepted onto a Childcare course starting in September.
A parent of one of the students involved with the initiative said: “I think it’s a fabulous opportunity for the students to access college 2 years before they are due to start as it can be very overwhelming for them after attending a small specialist provision. I also like that they gain a college certificate in recognition of their work and that they will secure a place at college when they leave school.”
Sian Lacey, Headteacher at The Harbour School, said: “These sessions are excellent in helping students with the transition from school to starting college. The college staff have been great at accommodating the needs of our students through flexible approaches to sessions.
“I am beyond proud of the students. They appear motivated, and it is clear they take pride in their work. This experience is such a wonderful opportunity to inspire young people to stay in education and look forward to bright futures.”