South Wilts Grammar School 11+ Guide

About South Wilts Grammar School

South Wilts Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Wiltshire. For children to get into South Wilts Grammar School they need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Hence, South Wilts Grammar School is a traditional grammar school, one of only 163 remaining in England.

Nestled in the picturesque suburbs of Salisbury, South Wilts Grammar School (SWGS) stands as a beacon of academic excellence for girls in Wiltshire. As the sole selective school for female students in the county, SWGS has carved a niche for itself, consistently nurturing the potential of its pupils and equipping them with the skills necessary to thrive in an ever-changing world.

At the heart of SWGS's educational philosophy lies a steadfast commitment to mathematics and computing. As a specialist school in these disciplines, SWGS recognizes the increasing importance of STEM subjects in today's global landscape. By providing a robust foundation in these areas, the school empowers its students to pursue careers in fields that are shaping the future.

Beyond its focus on academic rigor, SWGS prides itself on being an international school. The institution fosters an environment that celebrates diversity, encouraging students to explore different cultures, languages, and traditions. This global perspective is woven into the fabric of the school, preparing students to navigate an interconnected world with confidence and understanding.

SWGS boasts an impressive array of facilities designed to support and enhance the learning experience. From a well-equipped learning resources centre to a state-of-the-art theatre and drama studio, the school provides ample opportunities for students to explore their passions and develop their talents. The all-weather running track serves as a testament to the school's commitment to physical well-being and sportsmanship.

Underpinning the school's success is a robust pastoral care system. Dedicated staff members work tirelessly to provide guidance and support to students throughout their educational journey. This unwavering commitment to student welfare, coupled with an infectious enthusiasm for extracurricular activities and a determination to succeed, has earned SWGS an enviable reputation for fostering exceptional behaviour and attitudes among its pupils.

School Information

Below you will find further information about South Wilts Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.

South Wilts Grammar School is a girls only school. It is also an academy, meaning the school is run independently by a trust or sponsor and is directly funded by the central government (not the local authority).

In total 1,142 pupils attend South Wilts Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mrs Michele Chilcott.

South Wilts Grammar School Location

Below you will find a map showing the school's location:

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at South Wilts Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.

South Wilts 11+ Information

In order to get into South Wilts Grammar School, children need to pass the South Wilts 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.

South Wilts 11+ Subjects & Structure

The South Wilts 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

• Maths
• English
• Verbal Reasoning

The 11 plus exam for entry into South Wilts Grammar School is provided by GL Assessment, a leading supplier of grammar school entrance exams in England. The assessment consists of three papers, each lasting approximately 45 minutes to one hour, with breaks in between.

The Maths paper covers topics from the Key Stage 2 maths national curriculum, including number, algebra, measures, shape and space, and handling data. The English paper also follows the Key Stage 2 curriculum, evaluating reading comprehension, spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Lastly, the Verbal Reasoning paper tests a child's ability to apply logic and reasoning to solve problems involving written information, such as letters, words, symbols, and numbers.

All questions in the South Wilts Grammar School 11 plus exam are multiple-choice, and children will mark their answers on separate answer sheets, which are electronically marked. The school offers a familiarisation test one week before the exam, consisting of a verbal reasoning practice paper to help children become acquainted with the question types and exam environment. However, this paper is not marked.

South Wilts 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as South Wilts Grammar School is that only children with particularly high marks are admitted. Hence why it is important that children perform well in their 11+ papers.

Different schools (and different 11+ tests) have different marking processes. Some tests are marked in person, some remotely, while others utilise computer-based optical recognition technologies for quickly marking multiple-choice answer sheets.

Many 11+ tests are age-standardised to ensure younger children are not disadvantaged (i.e. their marks may be moderated depending on the month in which they were born). While creative writing papers can be used as tie-breakers, multiple-choice tests in Maths, Comprehension, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning normally make up the bulk of a child's marks. The specific details and weightings can vary from year to year.

It's worth remembering that once children's 11+ tests are being marked, the admissions process is completely outside of the parents' control. Hence, parents should not worry themselves about whether their child has got a place!

South Wilts 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the South Wilts 11+ changes every year and isn't generally made public knowledge. This is due to the academic strength of the children taking the test varying and how challenging the test ends up being (as well as plenty of other smaller variables).

Hence, as a vague rule-of-thumb, it's recommended that children aim for roughly 75-80% in their practice tests. Whilst this won't guarantee them a place at South Wilts Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

South Wilts 11+ Key Dates for your Diary

Here are all the important dates for the South Wilts 11+ tests (to get into South Wilts Grammar School) as well as other relevant dates.

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with South Wilts Grammar School as they may well change.

Ofsted Information

South Wilts Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 22/10/2019 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 17/11/2019, declaring that the school was 'Good'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Ofsted Report Summary

South Wilts Grammar School was inspected by Ofsted on 22 October 2019 and received an overall rating of Good. The school demonstrated a Good quality of education, Good personal development, and Good leadership and management. The sixth form provision was also rated as Good.

The inspection highlighted that the behaviour and attitudes of students at South Wilts Grammar School were Outstanding. This indicates that the school has fostered a positive learning environment where students are engaged, respectful, and motivated to succeed.

The Good ratings across multiple areas suggest that South Wilts Grammar School is providing a well-rounded education to its students, with a focus on both academic achievement and personal growth. The school's leadership team has effectively implemented strategies to ensure high-quality teaching, support student development, and maintain a positive school culture.

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for South Wilts Grammar School per subject. Note that this may include children taking GCSEs early (e.g. taking a language GCSE in Year 10) or indeed a child in Year 12 retaking a GCSE.

GCSE Results Information (2022-23)

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

Past 11+ Paper Downloads

Unfortunately, South Wilts Grammar School has not made any of their past 11+ papers publicly available.

Practice 11+ Paper Downloads

Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the South Wilts 11+ Ensure you double-check with South Wilts Grammar School which subjects and topics your child's 11+ tests are in to ensure you prepare for the right tests.