South Wilts Grammar School

Grammar school · Secondary, ages 11 to 18 · Girls only · Sixth form

Part of SOUTH WILTS GRAMMAR SCHOOL

Stratford Road, Salisbury, SP1 3JJ

01722 323326 · School website · Map and directions

OfstedGoodInspected 22 October 2019; improved significantly 2025
Grade 5 or above in English and maths99%England 45% · 2024/25
1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire).
Higher than 99% of 3,259 state secondary schools in England.
Pupils1,200Room for 1,022 Pupil numbers in January of each year: 1,067 in 2019, 1,131 in 2021, 1,151 in 2022, 1,142 in 2023, 1,130 in 2024, 1,185 in 2025, 1,200 in 2026. Across England, secondary state school pupil numbers were up 10% from 2019 to 2025.
First-choice applications per place1.5230 for 158 places, September 2026
1st highest of 7 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire).
Higher than 92% of 3,219 state secondary schools in England.

Ofsted inspection

Ofsted rated this school Good at the inspection that started on 22 October 2019.

This inspection used Ofsted's older format with four grades: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement and Inadequate. Newer inspections use report cards. What changed.

AreaGrade
Quality of educationGood
Behaviour and attitudesOutstanding
Personal developmentGood
Leadership and managementGood
Sixth formGood
SafeguardingEffective

Since then, a shorter ungraded inspection on 22 January 2025: Ofsted found the school had improved significantly.

Read the full Ofsted reports for this school

Source: Ofsted state-funded schools inspection data.

What parents say

252 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025.

Salisbury (Wiltshire) comparisons use the 4 of its 8 state secondary schools with comparable results. The other 4 have no published Parent View results (Ofsted only publishes a survey once at least 10 parents answer) or used Ofsted's newer questions, which we don't compare with the older ones.

StatementThis schoolSalisbury (Wiltshire)England
My child is happy at this school
1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Salisbury (Wiltshire).
Higher than 94% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
96% 88% 89%
My child feels safe at this school
1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Salisbury (Wiltshire).
Higher than 97% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
99% 90% 90%
The school makes sure pupils are well behaved
1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Salisbury (Wiltshire).
Higher than 95% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
96% 86% 84%
Bullying was dealt with quickly and effectivelyOf 62 parents whose child had been bullied
3rd highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Salisbury (Wiltshire).
Higher than 34% of 1,665 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
44% 49% 51%
Concerns were dealt with properlyOf 150 parents who had raised a concern
Joint 1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Salisbury (Wiltshire).
Higher than 77% of 1,736 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
80% 75% 76%
My child with SEND gets the support they needOf 33 parents of children with SEND
1st highest of 3 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Salisbury (Wiltshire).
Higher than 60% of 789 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
67% 65% 68%
I would recommend this school to another parent
1st highest of 4 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in Salisbury (Wiltshire).
Higher than 93% of 1,763 state secondary schools with comparable Parent View results in England.
95%said yes 85% 84%

Parents choose whether to take part, so these answers may not represent all families (Ofsted puts the response rate at 21%). Figures are the share who agree or strongly agree. England figures are all parents answering the same questions over the same period, for state-funded schools. Salisbury (Wiltshire) figures pool parents at the Salisbury (Wiltshire) schools compared, from each school's latest survey, so survey dates differ between schools. The scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) agreement, and the dot marks this school among state schools of the same phase that used the same survey questions. The third it falls in is coloured: green for the top third, amber the middle, red the bottom. This survey used Ofsted's previous Parent View questions, which changed in November 2025. Source: Ofsted Parent View management information.

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Results

GCSEs (key stage 4, age 16), 2024/25

156 pupils in this year group.

99% — 54 points above the Wiltshire average, and 53 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWiltshireEngland
Grade 5 or above in English and maths 99% 45% 45%
Attainment 8 scoreAverage of each pupil's grades across 8 GCSE-level subjects, with English and maths counted twice. Around 50 means grade 5s on average. 77 46.2 46.1
EBacc average point scoreAverage points across the English Baccalaureate subjects: English, maths, sciences, a language and history or geography. 7.0 4.0 4.1
Grade 5 or above in English and maths, over time
20% 40% 60% 80% 100% England 2022/23: 45%England 2023/24: 46%England 2024/25: 45% This school 2022/23: 97%This school 2023/24: 98%This school 2024/25: 99% This school England 45% 2022/23 97% 2023/24 98% 2024/25 99%

Progress 8 isn't shown. DfE didn't publish it for 2024/25 because this year group's key stage 2 tests in 2020 were cancelled, and older progress scores aren't comparable.

Source: DfE key stage 4 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After Year 11

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

157 pupils in this year group.

99% — 5 points above the Wiltshire average, and 7 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWiltshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workPupils recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing Year 11. 99% 94% 92%
School sixth form 78% 43% 34%
Sixth form college 13% 6% 13%
Further education college 2% 38% 37%
Apprenticeship 0% 3% 3%
Work 0% 3% 3%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
100%99%

Source: DfE key stage 4 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

A levels (16 to 18), 2024/25

161 A level students in this year group.

MeasureThis schoolWiltshireEngland
Average A level grade B B- B-
A level exams graded A* or A 36% 26% 26%
A level exams graded A* to B 67% 54% 53%
Average points per A level entryAn A* is 60 points, an A is 50, a B is 40, and so on down to 10 for an E. 39.5 35.4 35
Average points per A level entry, over time
30 35 40 45 England 2022/23: 34.2England 2023/24: 34.4England 2024/25: 35 This school 2022/23: 38.2This school 2023/24: 39.2This school 2024/25: 39.5 This school England 35 2022/23 38.2 2023/24 39.2 2024/25 39.5

A level subjects, 2024/25

25 subjects, 477 exams. England figures are for state-funded schools and colleges.

SubjectExamsA*A* or AEngland A* or A
Mathematics 64 22% 50% 40%
Biology 60 10% 27% 27%
Chemistry 43 12% 40% 30%
Psychology 43 5% 16% 19%
Physics 34 15% 41% 31%
History 24 13% 50% 23%
English Literature 22 9% 18% 23%
Geography 22 0% 23% 23%
Religious Studies 18 0% 11% 22%
Computer Studies / Computing 17 12% 35% 24%
Government and Politics 15 13% 20% 26%
English Language 14 21% 36% 13%
Environmental Science 14 0% 14% 14%
Economics 13 31% 77% 26%
Mathematics (Further) 12 58% 92% 59%
Design and Technology (Product Design) 11 0% 36% 15%
Business Studies:Single 10 10% 30% 16%
Classical Civilisation 10 10% 50% 23%
Drama and Theatre Studies 7 0% 29% 19%
Art and Design (Fine Art) 6 50% 50% 38%

Also taken, with too few exams for DfE to publish grades: French, German, Music, Physical Education / Sports Studies, Spanish.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 qualification and subject data, 2024/25.

Source: DfE 16 to 18 performance tables, 2024/25. England figures are for state-funded schools.

After sixth form

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

178 students in this year group.

91% — 9 points above the Wiltshire average, and 12 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWiltshireEngland
Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or workStudents recorded in sustained education, apprenticeship or employment in the year after finishing 16 to 18 study. 91% 82% 79%
Apprenticeship 0% 7% 7%
Work 34% 38% 28%

Stayed in education, an apprenticeship or work, over time

2023/242024/25
88%91%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 destination measures, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Going on to university

Where pupils went next. DfE measures this for pupils who finished in an earlier year, so these figures describe a previous year group.

171 students in this year group.

78% — 19 points above the Wiltshire average, and 18 points above the England average.

MeasureThis schoolWiltshireEngland
Went on to a degree or other higher education 78% 59% 60%
Went to one of the most selective third of universitiesDfE's grouping of universities by the typical entry grades of their students. 40% 23% 19%

Went on to a degree or other higher education, over time

2023/242024/25
84%78%

Source: DfE 16 to 18 progression to higher education or training, 2024/25 performance tables. England figures are for state-funded schools.

Admissions

Apply through the council where you live, even if the school is in a different council area. This school is in Wiltshire. The national closing date for secondary applications is 31 October, and offers are sent on 1 March.

How hard is it to get in?

For the September 2026 intake there were about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place.

Places offered158
Families who put it first230
Of those, offered a place157 (68%)
Families who listed it at all266

First-choice applications per place: 2024: 1.3 · 2025: 1.5 · 2026: 1.5

This isn't your chance of getting a place. That depends on the school's admissions rules (for example siblings, distance or faith) and where you live. Source: DfE applications and offers, September 2026 intake.

This is a grammar school: places depend on passing an entrance test (the 11 plus), usually taken in September of Year 6.

Admissions dates and schools in Wiltshire

Pupils, staff and SEND

PupilsThis schoolWiltshireEngland
Eligible for free school meals in the last 6 years
7th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire).
Higher than 1% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
2.4% 18.7%* 28.9%
With an education, health and care plan
7th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire).
Higher than 6% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
0.8% 4.4%* 3.1%
Receiving special educational needs support
7th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire).
Higher than 5% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
4.9% 12.7%* 13.4%
English as an additional language
4th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire).
Higher than 41% of 3,448 state secondary schools in England.
9.2% 7.5%* 19.2%
Overall absence (sessions missed)
1st lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire).
Lower than 98% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
4.2% 8.7%* 8.4%
Persistently absent (missed 10% or more)
1st lowest of 7 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire).
Lower than 99% of 3,411 state secondary schools in England.
6.6% 21.9%* 23.4%
Suspensions per 100 pupils
3rd lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire).
Lower than 98% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
0.6 21.0 21.2
Pupils suspended at least once
2nd lowest of 8 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire).
Lower than 98% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
0.3% 6.8% 7.3%
Pupils permanently excluded0 pupils 0.00% 0.01% 0.23%
Pupils per teacher
Joint 3rd highest of 8 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire).
Higher than 59% of 3,442 state secondary schools in England.
17.2 17.2 16.7
Pupils per adult (teachers and support staff)
3rd highest of 8 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire).
Higher than 92% of 3,445 state secondary schools in England.
14.4 12.3 11.8
Teachers who left during the year
7th highest of 8 state secondary schools in Salisbury (Wiltshire).
Higher than 9% of 3,430 state secondary schools in England.
6.3% 12.9%* 14.2%*

Comparisons are with secondary schools. Scales run from lower (left) to higher (right) figures. For absence and suspensions lower is better, so their scales run green to red; blue scales describe the school's pupils and staff and aren't good or bad. * Calculated by SchoolScores from the council's or England's schools, weighted by pupils (or teachers, for turnover); other figures are published by DfE. Sources: DfE school census 2024/25; DfE pupil absence 2024/25; DfE suspensions and permanent exclusions 2024/25; DfE school workforce census 2025/26; DfE teacher turnover 2024/25.

Nearby secondary schools

Straight-line distance. Distance isn't the same as a catchment area.

Questions parents ask

What is South Wilts Grammar School's Ofsted rating?

South Wilts Grammar School was rated Good by Ofsted at its inspection in 22 October 2019. At a shorter ungraded inspection in 22 January 2025, Ofsted found the school had improved significantly.

How did South Wilts Grammar School do in its GCSEs?

In 2024/25, 99% of pupils grade 5 or above in English and maths, 53 points above the England average of 45%.

Would parents recommend South Wilts Grammar School?

95% of the 252 parents who answered Ofsted's Parent View survey between 3 September 2024 and 1 September 2025 said they would recommend South Wilts Grammar School to another parent. Parents choose whether to respond, so this may not represent all families.

Is South Wilts Grammar School oversubscribed?

For the September 2026 intake, 230 families put South Wilts Grammar School as their first choice for 158 places: about 1.5 first-choice applications for every place. 157 of those families were offered a place. Whether you get a place depends on the school's admissions rules and where you live.

Sources

Spotted a mistake? Report it and we'll check it against the source.

Page updated 26 September 2026.