Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School 11+

Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School.

How to get into Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School

Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Wiltshire. To get into Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School with all the important information you need to know.

Admission Requirements

Children who are in Year 6 of primary school during the academic year 2024-2025 and hoping to join the school in September 2025 are eligible for 11+ entry [1]. The school currently has over 1100 students, with girls as well as boys in the large, thriving Sixth Form [1].

Parents of pupils from any area within reasonable travelling distance of the school may apply for admission [1]. Parents are responsible for arranging their child's transport to and from the school, with commuting recommended to be less than an hour, particularly for younger pupils [1].

Families must pass the Bishop Wordsworth's School 11+ examination to be eligible for consideration. When the number of children achieving the pass mark exceeds available places, oversubscription criteria prioritise looked after children and previously looked after children, children eligible for the pupil premium (up to 10 places are reserved), children who live within the school catchment area, children with siblings already at BWS, children with parents employed at BWS for at least two years, children qualifying for service premium, and other children who have met entry requirements [1].

Application Process

The 11+ registration application window opens on Tuesday 1st April 2025 and closes in September. Local Authority applications for September 2026 Year 7 entry open on 1 September 2025 and close on 31 October 2025 (see key dates) [1].

Families need to name the school as one of their preferred schools on the secondary school common application form, available on their home council website from early September and must be submitted by Friday 31st October 2025 (see key dates) [1]. Parents and guardians must ensure they register with their Local Authorities by the given deadline [1].

  • Complete the 11+ registration form on the school website from April 2025
  • Submit the Local Authority Common Application Form by 31st October 2025 (see key dates)
  • Indicate eligibility for Free School Meals or Service Premium on registration forms if applicable
  • Provide documentary evidence for pupil premium or service premium claims
  • Contact the school information section for specific application guidance

Examination Details

Children will take the 11+ exam on Saturday 27th September 2025 and receive results in mid-October (see key dates). The school uses 11 plus papers provided by GL Assessment, the main provider of grammar school 11 plus exams in England, consisting of two 45-minute papers with a break in between [1].

The Verbal Skills paper assesses English (including reading comprehension, spelling, grammar and punctuation) and verbal reasoning with approximately 26 English questions and 32 verbal reasoning questions. The Non-verbal Skills paper assesses maths and non-verbal reasoning with approximately 25 maths questions and 40 non-verbal reasoning questions [1].

  • All questions are multiple-choice with separate answer sheets marked electronically
  • Scores are age-standardised to ensure younger children aren't disadvantaged, with pass marks normally between 70% and 74% of the overall standardised mark
  • Children in local authority care or eligible for free school meals have a pass mark 3% lower than the standard pass mark
  • Ten places are reserved for boys qualifying for Pupil Premium with reduced pass marks [1]

Preparation Guidance

Families should begin preparation early to allow sufficient time for comprehensive coverage of all examination topics. The best approach to studying for the 11 Plus is to start early, giving children more time to focus on areas needing improvement, creating a study timetable to ensure coverage of all required material.

The Bishop Wordsworth's School 11+ requires systematic preparation across English, verbal reasoning, mathematics, and non-verbal reasoning. Practice with timed conditions helps children develop essential time management skills for examination day.

  • Begin preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5 for optimal coverage
  • Focus on core curriculum knowledge in English and mathematics
  • Develop reasoning skills through regular practice
  • Use practice papers to identify strengths and areas for improvement
  • Consider professional support through qualified tutoring
  • Practice multiple-choice techniques and answer sheet completion
  • Establish regular study routines with achievable daily goals

Examination Day Preparation

Families should ensure children arrive well-prepared and confident for the Bishop Wordsworth's School 11+ examination. Applicants sit the test in year 6, at the age of 10 or 11, with exams held in September at the school itself [1].

Adequate preparation includes practising under timed conditions and familiarising children with the examination format. Maintaining a positive mindset and celebrating effort alongside achievement helps build confidence and resilience.

  • Complete several practice papers under examination conditions
  • Ensure children understand multiple-choice answer sheet procedures
  • Plan travel arrangements to the school in advance
  • Prepare examination equipment including pencils and erasers
  • Maintain regular sleep patterns in the weeks before the examination
  • Encourage healthy eating and physical activity to manage stress
  • Discuss time management strategies for each paper section

Special Considerations and Financial Support

For families concerned about costs of daily travel, uniform and educational trips, specific charitable funds are available to assist from early help, such as attending open days from primary school, through to trips in support of A level studies [1].

Boys whose parent is or has been a member of the Regular Armed Forces are entitled to priority when places are allocated, with parents required to indicate service qualification on registration forms and provide documentary evidence [1].

  • Apply for special access arrangements if children have identified learning needs
  • Declare Free School Meals eligibility for reduced pass marks and reserved places
  • Indicate Service Premium status for admissions priority
  • Contact the school regarding financial assistance for examination costs
  • Explore charitable fund support for travel and educational expenses

After the Examination

Families will receive examination results in mid-October following the September examination. Results letters inform families if their son has passed the test, but this does not constitute an offer of a place at the school, as offers depend on the overall number of boys who passed and preferences expressed on Secondary Application Forms [1].

Offers depend not only on passing the test but also on overall numbers who passed and parental preferences, with boys who have passed potentially placed on waiting lists if the school is oversubscribed [1]. Families should consider alternative grammar schools in Wiltshire and prepare contingency plans for secondary education.

  • Await examination results in mid-October 2025 (see key dates)
  • Complete secondary school applications regardless of 11+ results
  • Consider appeals processes if children pass but don't receive offers
  • Explore South Wilts Grammar School as an alternative Wiltshire option
  • Research comprehensive schools in the local area for backup plans
  • Contact the school information section for guidance on next steps

[1]Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School official website

Bishop Wordsworth's School 11+ Information

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

Bishop Wordsworth's School 11+ Subjects & Structure

The Bishop Wordsworth's School 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:

  • English
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Spelling
  • Grammar
  • Punctuation
  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Maths
  • Non-verbal Reasoning

The 11 plus exam for entry into Bishop Wordsworth's School, a Church of England grammar school, is provided by GL Assessment, a leading supplier of grammar school entrance exams in England. The assessment is divided into two distinct papers, each lasting 45 minutes, with a break between them.

The first paper, focusing on verbal skills, evaluates the candidate's proficiency in English, including reading comprehension, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. It also assesses their verbal reasoning abilities. The English section comprises approximately 26 questions, while the verbal reasoning section contains around 32 questions.

The second paper concentrates on non-verbal skills, testing the student's aptitude in mathematics and non-verbal reasoning. The maths section includes roughly 25 questions, and the non-verbal reasoning section features about 40 questions. All questions in the Bishop Wordsworth's School 11 plus exam are presented in a multiple-choice format, with students marking their answers on separate answer sheets that are electronically graded.

Bishop Wordsworth's School 11+ Marking Process

The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England 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.

Most 11+ tests are multiple-choice and marked electronically but still some remain that are marked by teachers or examiners.
Most 11+ tests are multiple-choice and marked electronically but still some remain that are marked by teachers or examiners.

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!

Bishop Wordsworth's School 11+ Pass Mark

The pass mark for the Bishop Wordsworth's School 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).

Stop worrying! Once the 11+ marking has started the admissions process is out of your control.
Stop worrying! Once the 11+ marking has started the admissions process is out of your control.

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 Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.

Key Dates for the Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School 11+ Entrance Tests

Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School) as well as other relevant dates.

DateEventCalendar Link
01/04/202511+ Applications OpenAdd Dates to Calendar
Early June11+ Applications Close
27/09/2025Bishop Wordsworth’s School 11+ Exam
Late OctoberSecondary School Applications Close At 5pm
02/03/2026Secondary School National Offers Day

Although the utmost care has been taken to gather these dates, parents should treat them as a guide and check with Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School as they may well change.

11+ Tutor for Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School

As the Bishop Wordsworth's School 11+ entrance process is particularly gruelling, we would highly recommend using an 11+ private tutor.

Why use a private 11+ tutor?

Personal tutors have the experience and expertise to help children pass their 11+ exams. They know the requirements of the GL Assessment 11+ tests inside-out and can provide tailored support to give children the best possible chance of success. It's also important to bear in mind that plenty of other children will be using private tutors too.

11+ tutors don't need to be face-to-face, plenty of children use online 11+ tutors.

11+ tutors help ensure preparation work gets done!
11+ tutors help ensure preparation work gets done!

11+ tutors can also provide regular progress reports and feedback, helping parents to monitor their child's progress and make any necessary adjustments to their preparation.

Most importantly, using an 11+ tutor helps ensure that the preparation work gets done!

Private 11+ Tutors for the Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School 11+ Tests

We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School 11+ entrance tests. Please click here to be put in touch with a range of excellent 11+ private tutors from our friends at exams.courses.

11+ Past Papers for Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School

Unfortunately, Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School has not made any of their 11+ past papers publicly available. However, you can use However, you can use 11+ practice papers from other exam boards (such as GL Assessment, CEM and CSSE) to help your child prepare.

11+ Practice Papers for Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School

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

This is just a sample of our extensive collection of 11+ practice papers. Please click here to see the full collection.

11+ Practice Papers for Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School by Bond

These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by Bond and cover and cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. As such they are very helpful for children hoping to pass the Bishop Wordsworth's School 11+ to get into Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMixed

11+ Practice Papers for Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School by GL Assessment

These Free GL 11+ Practice Papers were published by GL Assessment themselves. As with the Bond papers, they cover all the main 11+ subjects: English, Maths, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. They remain useful and we encourage parents to download and use them with their children to help them get into Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School.

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMixed

11+ Practice Papers for Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School by Exam Ninja

These Free 11+ Practice Tests by Exam Ninja are extremely useful. They are straight-forward 10-question tests in Maths and English, following the same GL Assessment style (and multiple-choice format) as the Bishop Wordsworth's School 11+.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentEnglish

11+ Practice Papers for Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School by Owl Tutors

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by Owl Tutors. These too are written in a GL Assessment style and make useful practice for children hoping to get into Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentWriting
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School by CGP

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. As with the Bond, GL Assessment and Exam Ninja papers, they're written for the GL Assessment style, in multiple-choice format and are helpful for children hoping to pass their 11+ tests and get into Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School.

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentMaths
GL AssessmentEnglish
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning

These Free CEM 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. If Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School ever used them then they don't anymore as grammar schools no longer use CEM for any of their 11+ entrance tests. However, as a general practice tool these 11+ tests remain useful.

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
CEMMaths
CEMVerbal Reasoning
CEMNon-Verbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School by 11+ For You

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "11+ For You".

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School by Examberry

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "Examberry".

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentNon-Verbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School by Independent Junction

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by Independent Junction.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning

11+ Practice Papers for Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School by IPS

These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by IPS (Internet Primary School Ltd).

Exam BoardSubjectAnswer SheetQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMaths

11+ Practice Papers for Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School by Schofield & Sims

These 11+ practice papers were published by Schofield & Sims, a large UK educational publisher.

Exam BoardSubjectQuestion BookletAnswers
GL AssessmentVerbal Reasoning
GL AssessmentMaths

School Information

Below you will find further information about Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.

Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School is a boys-only grammar school.
Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School is a boys-only grammar school.
Address
Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School,
Exeter Street,
Salisbury,
Wiltshire
SP1 2ED
School Website
Telephone01722333851
Email Addressadmissions@bishopwordsworths.org.uk
GenderBoys only
Total Year 7 Places160
Total Pupils (Girls/Boys)1178 (120 Girls / 1058 Boys)
Headmaster Dr Stuart Smallwood

Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School is a boys 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 1,178 pupils attend Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School and it's led by the Headmaster, Dr Stuart Smallwood.

Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School Location

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

Ofsted Information

Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 15/11/2022 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 23/01/2023, declaring that the school was 'Outstanding'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.

Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School obtained <strong>Outstanding</strong> in their last Ofsted inspection in 2022.
Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School obtained Outstanding in their last Ofsted inspection in 2022.

Last Ofsted Report Data

Date InspectedInspection Duration (Days)Reporting DateRatingFull Report
15/11/2022123/01/2023OutstandingFull Report

Ofsted Report Summary

Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School was inspected by Ofsted on 15 November 2022 and received an Outstanding overall rating. The school demonstrated exceptional performance across all key areas evaluated during the inspection.

The quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management, and sixth form provision were all rated as Outstanding. This showcases the school's commitment to providing a high-quality educational experience for its students, fostering a positive learning environment, and promoting personal growth and development.

The Outstanding ratings across all categories highlight the school's dedication to academic excellence, student well-being, and effective leadership. Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School sets a remarkable example for other educational institutions to follow.

GCSE & A-Level Subjects

Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.

GCSE Subjects Offered
  • Biology (155 pupils)
  • Chemistry (155 pupils)
  • English Language (155 pupils)
  • English Literature (155 pupils)
  • Mathematics (155 pupils)
  • Physics (155 pupils)
  • Religious Studies (155 pupils)
  • Geography (82 pupils)
  • Spanish (63 pupils)
  • French (58 pupils)
  • Business Studies:Single (57 pupils)
  • German (33 pupils)
  • Music (17 pupils)
  • Latin (11 pupils)
  • Art & Design (Graphics) (10 pupils)
  • Art & Design (9 pupils)
A-Level Subjects Offered
  • Mathematics (97 pupils)
  • Chemistry (69 pupils)
  • Biology (59 pupils)
  • Physics (59 pupils)
  • Mathematics (Further) (48 pupils)
  • Psychology (48 pupils)
  • Government and Politics (34 pupils)
  • History (34 pupils)
  • Economics (33 pupils)
  • Geography (30 pupils)
  • Business Studies:Single (19 pupils)
  • English Literature (18 pupils)
  • Physical Education / Sports Studies (18 pupils)
  • Religious Studies (17 pupils)
  • French (12 pupils)
  • Spanish (7 pupils)
  • Art and Design (Graphics) (6 pupils)
  • Classical Civilisation (6 pupils)

GCSE & A-Level Performance

Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England 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)

SubjectTotal Pupils Grades Achieved
U123456789
Art & Design (Graphics)10-----32212
Art & Design9-----135--
Biology155---161233382837
Business Studies:Single57----468141312
Chemistry1551--251116314049
English Language155-1-152054302717
English Literature155-11442439372520
French581-2397711810
Geography82----359252218
German33--11427666
Latin11---1-1-423
Mathematics155----5924305730
Music17----213236
Physics1551--16919323948
Religious Studies155---281335343132
Spanish63---3101491692

A-Level Results Information (2022-23)

SubjectTotal Pupils Grades Achieved
UEDCBAA*
Art and Design (Graphics)6--1--23
Biology59-169112111
Business Studies:Single19-112861
Chemistry69-2310152415
Classical Civilisation6--1122-
Economics33--231585
English Literature18--14931
French12--13521
Geography30--49854
Government and Politics34--448135
History34--313116-
Mathematics97-4414142337
Mathematics (Further)48--2292113
Physical Education / Sports Studies18--2754-
Physics59-135131522
Psychology48--35151411
Religious Studies17--2573-
Spanish7---223-

FAQ

Is Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School hard to get into?

Yes, Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School is hard to get into! Children need to pass their challenging 11+ entrance test (with a high pass mark) and there's tough competition with many other children trying to get a place for Year 7.

Is Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School a private school?

No, Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.

Is Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School free?

Yes, Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School won't cost you any money.

How do I get my child into Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School?

You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School for how up to date information on how to apply (it may be automatic or it may require some forms to be filled in). More information on their 11+ entrance test can be found here.

Is Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School a boys-only school?

Yes, Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School is a boys-only school.

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