Address: St Swithun’s School, Alresford Road, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 1HA
Pupils: Senior school 384, Sixth form 140
Fees: £6,855 per term (day), £11,200 per term (boarder)
Enquiries: The Registrar registrar@stswithuns.com
Description: Founded in 1884, the school moved to its present location in 1931 where it occupies an attractive 45 acre site on the outskirts of Winchester, overlooking open countryside. Recent improvements have created modern facilities that include both a performing arts centre and a library, careers and ICT facility. There are extensive playing fields, a sports hall and a 25m swimming pool. The junior school is on the same site. The school is a Church of England foundation with close ties to the cathedral and, while pupils of other denominations are welcome, all are expected to attend regular worship. Academic results are high, but the school’s aim is to provide pupils with a rounded education. Accordingly music, drama, art and technology are all strong, as is sport in which there is regular representation at county, regional and national levels. There is a tradition of service to the community through initiatives such as fund-raising for charities and local community work. There is also a good range of activities on offer, including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.
School Head: Headmistress: Ms Jane Gandee, in post from 2010. Educated at Presdales School, Hertfordshire, and Cambridge University (French and Spanish). Previously Director of Studies at City of London School for Girls.
Results: GCSE: 97% A* to B including 56% of all entries awarded an A*. A levels: . Over 40% of girls achieved at least one A* and overall 88% of entries were graded A* to B.
Furtherhigher: 10% of our current upper-sixth hold offers at Oxbridge. In 2018, 6% of our leavers gained places at Oxbridge and 79% went to Russell Group universities. 3% chose to study abroad in Asia or north America.
Arts: Music: 75% of pupils learn one or more musical instruments; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 25 musical groups including the symphony orchestra, 2 choirs, senior and junior string ensembles, clarinet group, jazz band, wind bands and numerous chamber groups. Choir sings regularly in Winchester Cathedral and undertakes foreign concert tours; many girls in Hampshire County Orchestra and other county ensembles. Drama: Drama offered throughout the school; GCSE drama and A-level theatre studies offered and LAMDA and New Era exams can be taken. Many girls involved in school/house productions. Art and design: 30-45 take GCSE, 12 take A level. Painting and drawing, design, CAD, textiles, design & technology, ceramics, photography, silk screen, dry point etching, paper-making and mono-printing also offered.
Sport: Lacrosse, netball, basketball, volleyball, badminton, swimming, tennis, athletics, rounders, gymnastics, dance compulsory; some 10+ further options including judo, fencing, football, diving. RLSS exams may be taken. Individual and team representation at county, regional and national levels, particularly in lacrosse; regional tennis winners at senior and U15 level. Also bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award; community service; first aid and life-saving courses. Many clubs including art, debating, polo, touch rugby; sixth-form societies, eg successsful engineers club, cookery, self-defence, Amnesty International, public speaking and Young Enterprise; weekend activities eg sailing, skiing, theatre and restaurant trips.
Boarding: Pupils aged 13+ in own study-bedrooms or cubicles; 11 and 12-year-olds in dormitories of up to 4. Houses of 18-52. Flexible weekend arrangements. Pupils may cook their own snacks. Visits to town allowed.
Alumni: is run within the school by the Association Manager.
Formerpupils: Baroness (Mary) Warnock (philosopher); Vivienne Parry (writer and broadcaster); Fiona Glover (journalist); Emma Chambers (actress); Chibundu Onuzo (writer)
