SCUBA diving, ponies and land yachts were just some of the attractions that drew the largest crowds ever to The Petersfield School open morning.

Around 500 families flocked to the school to enjoy the sunshine, and the atmosphere was electric with prospective students and their families immersing themselves in a range of exciting activities and experiences, guided and encouraged by over 500 students who had given up their morning to show off their school.

The morning was a chance for parents and children to immerse themselves in the wealth of opportunities, from outstanding academic provision to expeditions to Borneo; learn about how the pastoral system allows individual students to be known, nurtured and challenged and hear about how results are rising - despite a declining national picture - due to the excellent teaching at The Petersfield School (TPS).

It was an action-packed programme to showcase the unrivalled student experience, alongside fabulous activities in all the departments, our extra-curricular clubs featured Scuba diving displays in the pool (Scuba Diving Club), ponies to pet outside PE (Horse Riding Club), and land yachts to race on the field (Sailing Club), to name just a few! Our visitors were treated to a variety of music during the morning - Brass Band, Ska Band and singers - and watched rehearsals in The Studio for our forthcoming Shakespeare production of “Macbeth” and our next entry for Rock Challenge.

The Geography department had a photobooth where visitors could have their photo taken with some Rainforest Reptiles and Critters, and were also encouraged to sample a sustainable food of the future - bugs! In History, it was CSI Petersfield - a murder mystery of a World War 1 soldier - and there was the chance to be a Radio DJ or a Studio Photographer in Media Studies.

The English department was transported to another era - Victorian Baker Street where Sherlock Holmes was working on another case, and the Dickensian premises of Scrooge and Marley. Science offered a large variety of experiments and unusual animals to hold and observe, and there was the chance to try out Oculus Rift - a virtual reality headset - in IT.

A massive dish of paella proved very popular, and there was a variety of delicious items to sample from our café.

Countless parents commented on the enthusiasm and professionalism of the young tour guides, many of whom have only been students at TPS for a matter of weeks, and were glowing in their praise of the older students who were leading sessions and activities across the curriculum range.

TPS head Mark Marande said: “The level of interest and the superb summer exam results are testament to the hard work of our students and staff in making our ambitious educational vision – exceptional student outcomes and an unrivalled student experience - reality.”