While there were grammar schools in Portsmouth in the period that minister Sarah McCarthy-Fry was educated (1966-73) she received her education at Portsmouth High School, a selective, independent fee-paying school that is a member of the Girls’ Day School Trust.
Editor’s note: Portsmouth High School is an independent school, but it was also a direct-grant school until 1986. Ms McCarthy-Fry has since clarified that she received a grant to attend it after passing the 11-plus.
Marilyn Mullen, Gosport, Hampshire.
