In this section:
‘First Languages’ spoken in our school communities
This citywide data has been taken from the annual School Census and reveals a continuing rise in pupils with a first language other than English.
21.5% of pupils in Portsmouth schools speak English as an additional language (EAL). This equates to over 6000 pupils who speak another language in the home or community – sometimes two, three or four different languages! There are currently 118 languages other than English spoken in Portsmouth schools.
The ten most common languages spoken in our schools are currently, in order (largest first): Bengali, Polish, Romanian, Kurdish, Arabic, Malayalam, Yoruba, Chinese, Portuguese and Farsi (Persian).
There are five languages with over 300 native speakers in our schools (over 800 pupils have Bengali as their first language); 14 languages with over 100 speakers and 27 languages which have over 50 pupils speaking them. 55 languages have fewer than five native speakers.
However, we continue to welcome new families from across the globe to Portsmouth. The new arrivals’ ten main languages last year were, in order (largest first): Bengali, Polish, Romanian, Kurdish, Arabic, Malayalam, Yoruba, Chinese, Portuguese and Farsi (equal) and Spanish.
These languages reflect recruitment for local study and employment, as well as national and international factors, including the city welcoming refugees and asylum-seekers from around the world.
Community language classes
Community language classes for children and young people in Portsmouth 2023-24
The information below is correct to the best of our knowledge, although these lessons are run by community volunteers and are subject to change. Our Bilingual Learning Assistants (BLAs) may be able to help further with additional information and contact details, so please do ask.
| Language/Culture | When? | Where? |
| Arabic classes | Saturdays, 11.30am – 1pm | Mayfield School, PO2 0RH |
| Arabic classes | Saturdays, 11am – 1pm | Friendship Centre, PO5 1JT |
| Arabic Sudanese School | Sundays | Buckland Community Centre, PO2 7BT |
| Bulgarian School | Sundays, from 9am | Havelock Community Centre, PO4 0LQ |
| Eritrean School | Saturdays, 12.30pm – 3.30pm | Buckland Community Centre, PO2 7BT |
| Kurdish Community Language School | Saturdays, 2.30pm – 4.30pm | Somerstown Central Community Hub, PO5 4JJ |
| Polish Community School | Sundays, 10am – 1pm | The Portsmouth Academy, PO1 5LD |
| Portsmouth Chinese Association Sunday School | Sundays, 11am – 1pm with traditional dancing 1pm – 2pm | Admiral Lord Nelson School, PO3 5XT |
| Russian School | Saturdays, 10am – 1pm | Havelock Community Centre, PO4 0LQ |
| Sudanese Community School | Sundays, 11am – 2pm | Spinnaker School of Languages, PO1 2DU |
| Tamil classes | Saturdays, 10am – 12pm | Buckland Community Centre, PO2 7BT |
| The Hellenic School of Portsmouth | Saturdays, 10am – 12pm and 12.30pm – 2.30pm | St. Jude’s Primary School, PO1 2NZ |
| Turkish Language and Culture | Wednesdays, 4pm – 6pm; Saturdays and Sundays, 10am – 2.30pm | South Coast Anatolian Education & Culture Centre, PO1 5AB |
For more information, please contact Maha Ingarfill, Community Languages Co-ordinator in Portsmouth at [email protected].
Polish community school
Portsmouth’s already hugely successful Polish school is hoping to increase its numbers once again this year and keep Polish alive in the community.
Children as young as four can join and lessons run up to Polish GCSE classes.
Visit the website for information on registration and the GCSE course.
