South Wilts Grammar School for Girls

Opened in 1927 on a site about one mile north of the centre of Salisbury, the school was originally combined with Bishop Wordsworth's School. The two schools have close links including collaborative teaching of their sixth forms.[1]

South Wilts gained specialist status in mathematics and computing in 2003, and in 2010 the International School Award.[2] It became an academy in January 2011.

In 2009, it was the top-achieving school in Salisbury, including independent schools.[3][4] Entry is by a selective entrance examination known as the eleven-plus.

From September 2020, the school will admit boys to its sixth form.[1]

• Anna Brecon, Emmerdale actress
• Carolyn Browne, Former Ambassador to Azerbaijan
• Sally Clark, British lawyer[5][6]
• Norvela Forster, MEP from 1979 to 1984 for Birmingham South
• Penny Tranter, BBC forecaster

The school participates in many activities, especially sport, including: netball, cross country, swimming, tennis, athletics, football, tag rugby, trampolining, dance, badminton, volleyball, hockey, drama and gymnastics.

Music is another area of extra-curricular activity, with the school having a Jazz Band, Wind Band, Orchestra, Guitar Group, Chamber string Group, Junior choir, Senior choir and A Cappella. Previously existing groups include a Flute orchestra, Falkner's consort (a recorder group), Training orchestra and Senior orchestra (now combined), and Junior chamber strings.

Each musical group takes part in the Autumn and Spring concerts, though the Senior choir and A Capella do not take part in the latter in order to prepare for the joint choral concert. In addition, A Cappella – an auditioned SATB choir – takes part in two evensongs each year as well as performing a major work near the February half-term. Previous works have included Handel's Messiah and Fauré's Requiem.

The joint choral concert takes place in May, often in Salisbury Cathedral or Salisbury's City Hall and is a performance by Senior Choir, A Capella, and the Bishop Wordsworth's Choir. There are performances by each individual group, and a few major works by the combined choir. In previous years this has included Haydn's 'Insanae et vanae curae', Handel’s 'Zadok the Priest' and a medley of songs from Les Miserables.

• Official website