At a Glance
Assessment: GL 11 Plus
Fees Type: Free
Boarding: Day school
Admissions: Girls Only
Places per year: 160
Introduction
South Wilts Grammar School is a selective foundation school for girls serving Salisbury and the surrounding area. The school boasts that ‘academic excellence’ is merely just a part of your experience, hinting that the children educated here receive a broad education, preparing them for further education and employment.
Furthermore, a broad education has not withheld the students at South Wilts from consistently achieving high exam results. For example, the 2019 GCSE exams saw 99% of students at South Wilts achieve at least a grade 5 in English and Maths. Further, government statistics indicate that 100% of students at the school, after finishing those exams, stayed in further education or entered into full-time employment. Clearly, students at South Wilts develop significantly in the school from KS2 – KS4, leading the school to have a well above average ‘Progress 8’ score. The school’s Sixth Form, which many of the students study at following GCSEs, is an institution which produces a similar level of outstanding A-Level results. Many of the students at South Wilts obtain places at prestigious universities, to study a breadth of subjects.
A popular and oversubscribed school, admission to South Wilts Grammar school is highly competitive. Students are selected for admission to the school based on their performance in the 11+ entrance test. This is an examination governed by the GL Assessment board, consisting of two papers which both assess verbal, numerical and non-verbal reasoning. They are both multiple choice tests but are designed to push candidates beyond their Key Stage 2 education. Our resources with 11 Plus Hero help prepare your child for this GL test, providing them with a toolkit to have the best chance to succeed. We also provide information to help guide yourself and your child through the admissions process, so that you and your child can confidently and competently apply to South Wilts Grammar School.
South Wilts Grammar School Key Information
Under this section we keep relevant and up-to-date information on South Wilts. Please find and use any useful links and information in your application and admission process.
School Address
Full Address:
South Wilts Grammar SchoolStratford Road
Salisbury
Wiltshire
SP1 3JJ
Contact Information
Parking in the school
There is no parking available on site at South Wilts Grammar School.
Additional parking off site
Alternative parking can be found at the venues listed below:
- Five Rivers Leisure Centre, Hulse Road, Salisbury SP1 3NR (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
- Millstream, Mill Stream Approach, Salisbury, SP1 3TA (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
- Waitrose, Churchill Way West, Salisbury, SP2 7TS (Opening Times: Mon-Sat 07:30-20:00 & Sun 10:00-16:00)
Additional parking off site
Alternative parking can be found at the venues listed below:
- Five Rivers Leisure Centre, Hulse Road, Salisbury SP1 3NR (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
- Millstream, Mill Stream Approach, Salisbury, SP1 3TA (Opening Times: Mon-Sun All Day)
- Waitrose, Churchill Way West, Salisbury, SP2 7TS (Opening Times: Mon-Sat 07:30-20:00 & Sun 10:00-16:00)
Key Information for South Wilts Grammar School
PAN* for Year 7 intake (2023)
Total Student Capacity Years 7 to 13 (2022)
Total Students Years 7 to 13 (2022)
Percentage Capacity (2022)
Latest Ofsted Rating (2019)
Selection Test
Key Events for Admission to South Wilts Grammar School
The admissions process to South Wilts Grammar School requires parents to adhere to the registration deadlines put in place. We regularly update on key dates and deadlines at 11 Plus Hero such as that listed below.
Register for the South Wilts 11+
Open Day
Final date for return of Special Access Arrangements form for SEN applicants
Practice 11+ Test Date
11+ Test Date
Secondary School Application Deadline
School Offer
Application Documents for South Wilts Grammar School
Listed below are links containing information specific to South Wilts Grammar School for the application and admission process to the school.
The South Wilts Grammar School Exam Format
South Wilts Grammar School selects students for admission based on their performance in the entrance test to the school. The school uses GL Assessment as their exam provider. The South Wilts 11+ will assess a child’s competence in Maths, English and Verbal Reasoning, each of these topics have their own test paper. The Maths and English questions will reflect the KS2 national curriculum, but sometimes will push beyond what is ordinarily learnt at primary level. Verbal Reasoning is a concept usually unfamiliar to children in KS2. The unfamiliarity and difficulty can present as challenging for most candidates taking the test. For this reason, 11 Plus Hero has created specialist resources to develop the skill sets of children expecting to take the STT. We have used our breadth of experience with 11 Plus Tests across the UK to create specialist materials to help your child succeed.
Test Overview
There are three key components to this 11+, a test overseen and marked by the GL exam board. The 11+ will assess your child’s competence in English, Maths and Verbal Reasoning.
The test consists of three exam papers, each taking approximately 60 minutes in length.
- Paper One: Maths (45-50 minutes)
- Paper Two: English (45-50 minutes)
- Paper Three: Verbal Reasoning (45-50 minutes)
The South Wilts Grammar School 11 Plus Assessment Criteria
| English | Maths | Verbal Reasoning | Non-Verbal Reasoning | Additional |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pass Mark
Test scores are received by October for the following year of entry. For example, for entry in 2023, test scores will be received in October 2022. It is notable that younger children are not penalised for their age, the results are statistically standardised to compare any child’s score average to the average score of their school year. There is no set ‘pass criteria’ for admission to South Wilts Grammar School. However, there is still a ‘required academic standard’ to make a student eligible for admission, indicated by the child’s aggregate score on the 11+. This is subject to change every year. Parents will be notified as to whether their child has met the ‘required standard’ with their test scores received in October of the preceding year of entry.
Pass Mark
Test scores are received by October for the following year of entry. For example, for entry in 2023, test scores will be received in October 2022. It is notable that younger children are not penalised for their age, the results are statistically standardised to compare any child’s score average to the average score of their school year. There is no set ‘pass criteria’ for admission to South Wilts Grammar School. However, there is still a ‘required academic standard’ to make a student eligible for admission, indicated by the child’s aggregate score on the 11+. This is subject to change every year. Parents will be notified as to whether their child has met the ‘required standard’ with their test scores received in October of the preceding year of entry.
Catchment Area
South Wilts Grammar School does operate on a catchment area, to prioritise students for admission. A map of the catchment area can be found on the school website: https://www.swgs.wilts.sch.uk/key-information-2/catchment-area/
Additional Eligibility
Oversubscription Criteria:
Where the number of eligible candidates exceeds the number of places available at South Wilts Grammar School, offers are made using the school’s oversubscription area. A summarised version of the oversubscription criteria is below, in descending order of priority.
- Eligible students who are Looked After or Previously Looked After Children;
- Eligible students who attract the Pupil Premium or Service Premium;
- Eligible students who permanently resides in the School’s catchment area;
- Eligible students whose parent/step-parent is employed by the school, and has been for at least two years;
- Eligible students who reside outside the catchment area, but have a sibling at the school;
- Other students who are eligible:
- First, these students are prioritised by rank order of standardised score
- Second, if there are ties on standardised score, children will be prioritised by closest distance to the school.
For a full and detailed breakdown of the admissions process and eligibility criteria, please visit South Wilts’ 2023 admission policy on the school website at https://www.swgs.wilts.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Admissions-Policy-2023-final.pdf
South Wilts Grammar School FAQs
There is no ‘pass mark’ for South Wilts Grammar School. To be eligible for admission to the school, children must meet the ‘required standard’ in the 11+ test. This is an aggregate score of the papers, subject to change every year. You will be notified as to whether your child has met the ‘required standard’ with their test results in October of the preceding year of entry.
South Wilts Grammar School uses the exam board ‘GL 11+’ for their entrance test. The girls’ school tests prospective students’ competence in English, Maths and Verbal Reasoning. Each of these topics have their own paper, meaning your child will sit three papers in total on the day.
The school hosts familiarisation materials on their school website, provided by the exam board, GL Assessment.
There is also a ‘familiarisation test’ at South Wilts, with the most recent held on the 17th September 2022.
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