St Swithun’s School: Explore Reviews, Rankings, Fees, And More
Nestled amidst the scenic beauty of the UK, St. Swithun’s School emerges as a distinguished hub of academic prowess. In this exploration, we peel back the layers of this educational gem, deciphering its reviews, rankings, and fees. Join us as we explore this institution, where tradition harmonises with modern educational standards.
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Key Features of St Swithun's School
St Swithun’s, situated on the outskirts of Winchester, is a prominent all-girls day and boarding school in the United Kingdom. The institution consistently achieves exceptional results, leading to accolades in the annual league tables. As of the 2023 GCSE results, St Swithun’s has achieved the 71st position in the country.
It maintains strong connections with Winchester College, the boys’ school. St Swithun’s offers co-educational Pre-school, educating girls aged 4-11 in its Prep school, and providing day, weekly, and full boarding options for girls aged 11-18 in the Senior school. The school’s diverse student body includes around 200 girls in the prep school and 520 in the senior school, representing 27 different nationalities. The schools share a single campus that spans over 45 acres of picturesque countryside, and they enjoy access to superb facilities for academics, sports, and the arts.
St Swithun's School Results
In 2023, the school achieved an 80% pass rate with grades 9-7 in GCSEs and a 61% rate for A*/A grades at A-levels, with 86 percent earning A*-B grades. Comparatively, in 2019, which was the last set of pre-pandemic results, the school maintained an 80 percent pass rate with grades 9-7 in GCSEs and a 59% rate for A*/A grades at A-levels, with 86% obtaining A*-B grades.
Boarding Facilities in St Swithun's School
St Swithun’s offers a comprehensive boarding experience starting at age 12, providing students with single rooms featuring hotel-grade bathrooms, as well as communal spaces for socialising and building lasting friendships. The school’s 45-acre grounds offer access to a wide range of specialist facilities for arts, drama, music, science, technology, computer science, sports, cookery, and textiles.
Students can also utilise the library, a 550-seat auditorium, two swimming pools, 12 tennis courts, and a grass athletics track with all-weather field areas. Additional resources include higher education support, guidance from the student guidance team, university admissions department presentations, networking events with alumni, and a guest speaker programme.
St Swithun’s prioritises pastoral support in the boarding environment through programmes like Thrive, Positive Education, and Girls on Board. Students benefit from strong staff and peer-led support networks, experienced house-staff with specialised training, on-site healthcare, a full-time clinical psychologist, and a school chaplain who plays a key role in the pastoral team.
Extra Curricular Activities
Boarders at St Swithun’s will never again find such a diverse range of opportunities all conveniently available in one place. The school offers a selection of 140 co-curricular activities, clubs, and societies to choose from on weekdays, with options before school, during lunchtime, and after school. These activities encompass a wide spectrum, including cryptography, bell-ringing, astronomy club, along with opportunities in music, drama, sports, and academic drop-in sessions. During weekends, there are more than 20 activities to participate in, such as pottery workshops, golf, watersports, as well as the chance to represent the school in sports matches, debating competitions, and Greenpower racing. Inside the boarding houses, there are regular evening activities like sushi-making, craft sessions, and competitive events. Additionally, boarding trips offer opportunities for theatre visits, dining out, shopping expeditions, country walks, ice-skating, and bowling, ensuring an enriching experience for boarders.
Admissions Process: Entering St Swithun's School
Enroll for Year 7 before the end of Year 5. In Year 6, candidates take the ISEB Common Pre-test, which is overseen by Ms. Gandee, the vice-chair of ISEB’s board. Following this, UK-based candidates complete the school’s own entry papers, while overseas candidates take the UKiset exam. The primary source of students comes from the school’s own preparatory programme, with others originating from institutions such as Twyford Prep, Prince’s Mead School, local primary schools, and London preparatory schools.
For Year 9 admission, prospective students should register in Year 6, undergo exams in Year 7, and receive early offers. Late applicants will be assessed in the autumn of Year 8. Candidates aiming for Year 12 entry will be interviewed and evaluated in their chosen A-level subjects during the autumn of Year 11. St Swithun’s also conducts an EAL (English as an Additional Language) assessment for individuals whose first language is not English.
SEN Support
- Aspergers
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders
- Dyslexia
- English as an additional language (EAL)
- Has SEN unit or class
- Mental health
- PD – Physical Disability
Testimonials and Reviews
Amazingly homely and happy; love
all their videos especially the one which Jackie did a great presentation on one of the houses 😁
Best school ever! All the teachers are…in my daughters words “epic”…whatever that must mean.
Very good school, with excellent staff.
The school is very good at providing humanistic care. You can tell by the words and deeds of the students that this is a school with rigorous academics and rich curriculum.
Frequently Asked Questions about St Swithun's School
According to our 2023 GCSEs League Table, the school is now standing at the 71st spot in the country.
Jane Gandee
There are approximately 200 girls in the prep school and 520 in the senior school across 27 nationalities.
St Swithun’s was founded as “Winchester High School” by Miss Anna Bramston, daughter of John Bramston, the then Dean of Winchester, with the ambition of educating “daughters of worthy citizens of Winchester”. Not having sufficient money of her own, funds were raised by subscription.
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