South Wilts Grammar School 11+
Crucial 11+ info, past 11+ papers and practice 11+ papers for South Wilts Grammar School.
How to get into South Wilts Grammar School
South Wilts Grammar School is a selective secondary school in Wiltshire. To get into South Wilts Grammar School children need to pass the school's 11+ entrance test. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting your child into South Wilts Grammar School with all the important information you need to know.
Admission Requirements
Children born between 1st September 2014 and 31st August 2015 are eligible for Year 7 entry in September 2026 (see key dates). The school offers 160 places annually [1].
South Wilts is a high performing girls' grammar school (age 11-16) with a distinctive coeducational sixth form [1]. It is the only selective school for girls in Wiltshire.
All applicants must pass the South Wilts 11+ examination. Registration opens on Monday 2nd June 2025 and closes on Monday 1st September 2025 (see key dates).
- Complete the online registration form on the school website during the registration period
- Submit the Common Application Form (CAF) through the relevant local authority
- Must be academically ready for the challenging entrance examination
- Contact details available in the school information section
Application Process
Families must name the school as one of their preferred schools on the secondary school common application form, available from early September and must be submitted by Friday 31st October 2025 (see key dates).
The application involves two separate forms that must be completed:
- Register for the South Wilts 11+ examination directly with the school between Monday 2nd June 2025 and Monday 1st September 2025
- Submit the Common Application Form through the local authority by Friday 31st October 2025 (see key dates)
- Include South Wilts Grammar School as a preferred choice on the CAF
- Provide required supporting documents such as proof of address and birth certificate
- Families may accept an invitation for the familiarisation test the week before the exam, which consists of a verbal reasoning practice paper to help children get familiar with the types of questions
Remember that passing the 11 plus doesn't guarantee a place allocation, as many grammar schools are often oversubscribed with qualified children.
Exam Structure and Scoring
South Wilts Grammar School uses 11 plus papers provided by GL Assessment, the main provider of grammar school 11 plus exams in England. Children will take the 11+ exam on Saturday 27th September and receive results by Mid-October (see key dates).
The exam consists of three papers, each around 45 minutes to one hour, with breaks between:
- Mathematics: Based on Key Stage 2 maths national curriculum, including number, algebra, measures, shape and space, and handling data
- English: Based on Key Stage 2 curriculum, assessing reading comprehension, spelling, punctuation and grammar
- Verbal Reasoning: Assesses how well children can use logic and reasoning to solve problems with written information, such as letters, words, symbols and numbers
All questions are multiple-choice with children using separate answer sheets to mark their answers. The pass mark is normally between 70% and 74% of the overall standardised mark, and has been 71% for the last 7 years.
Oversubscription Criteria
There are 160 places in Year 7, and if the number of children achieving the pass mark exceeds this, the school applies oversubscription criteria [1].
Children are prioritised for places in the following order:
- Looked after children and previously looked after children
- Children eligible for the pupil premium and/or the service premium
- Children who live within the school catchment area
- Children who live with at least one parent or step parent who has been employed at the school for at least two years
- Children who live outside the catchment area but who have a sibling attending the school
- Other children who have achieved the required academic standard, allocated in order of distance
Places within criteria are allocated in order of distance (as the crow flies). South Wilts Grammar School has a catchment area (known as a 'designated area').
Preparation Guidance
Families should begin preparation well in advance of the South Wilts 11+ examination. Child psychologists recommend regular study sessions of 20–30 minutes for children aged 10–11.
As a rule-of-thumb, children should aim for roughly 75-80% in practice tests, though this won't guarantee a place. The school sets the pass mark at 71%, and pupils scoring 80%+ consistently in practice tests should be on track to pass.
Recommended preparation approach includes:
- Starting preparation early in Year 5 for optimal results
- Using regular short study sessions rather than intensive cramming
- Focusing on Key Stage 2 curriculum content for all three exam subjects
- Practising with GL Assessment style papers specifically
- Taking advantage of the familiarisation session offered by the school
- Free preparation resources available at practice papers section
- Professional tutoring guidance available at tutoring section
Practical Advice
For the examination day on Saturday 27th September 2025 (see key dates), families should ensure children are well-prepared and confident.
Essential exam day preparation includes:
- Arriving at the school with plenty of time to settle before the examination
- Bringing required identification documents and stationery as specified by the school
- Ensuring children have had adequate rest and nutrition before the exam
- Practicing multiple-choice answer sheet techniques beforehand
- Managing exam stress through relaxation techniques and positive encouragement
Alternative school options in Wiltshire include comprehensive secondary schools and Bishop Wordsworth's School for boys. Registration for Bishop Wordsworth's School opens on Tuesday 1st April 2025, providing families with additional selective school options.
For specific contact information, admissions deadlines, and detailed guidance, families should refer to the school information section and contact the school directly for the most current requirements.
South Wilts 11+ Information
In order to get into South Wilts Grammar School, children need to pass the South Wilts 11+. This 11+ test is written by GL Assessment for use by the school's admissions process.
South Wilts 11+ Subjects & Structure
The South Wilts 11+ requires children to complete tests in the following subjects:
- Maths
- English
- Verbal Reasoning
The 11 plus exam for entry into South Wilts Grammar School is provided by GL Assessment, a leading supplier of grammar school entrance exams in England. The assessment consists of three papers, each lasting approximately 45 minutes to one hour, with breaks in between.
The Maths paper covers topics from the Key Stage 2 maths national curriculum, including number, algebra, measures, shape and space, and handling data. The English paper also follows the Key Stage 2 curriculum, evaluating reading comprehension, spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Lastly, the Verbal Reasoning paper tests a child's ability to apply logic and reasoning to solve problems involving written information, such as letters, words, symbols, and numbers.
All questions in the South Wilts Grammar School 11 plus exam are multiple-choice, and children will mark their answers on separate answer sheets, which are electronically marked. The school offers a familiarisation test one week before the exam, consisting of a verbal reasoning practice paper to help children become acquainted with the question types and exam environment. However, this paper is not marked.
South Wilts 11+ Marking Process
The reality of 11+ tests, selective education and academic institutions such as South Wilts 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.
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!
South Wilts 11+ Pass Mark
The pass mark for the South Wilts 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).
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 South Wilts Grammar School, it's a ballpark exam result figure for successful candidates.
Key Dates for the South Wilts Grammar School 11+ Entrance Tests
Here are all the important dates for the 11+ tests (to get into South Wilts Grammar School) as well as other relevant dates.
| Date | Event | Calendar Link |
|---|---|---|
| 02/06/2025 | South Wilts Grammar School 11+ Applications Open | Add Dates to Calendar |
| 01/09/2025 | South Wilts Grammar School 11+ Applications Close | |
| 27/09/2025 | South Wilts Grammar School 11+ Exam | |
| Late October | Secondary School Applications Close At 5pm | |
| 02/03/2026 | Secondary 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 South Wilts Grammar School as they may well change.
11+ Tutor for South Wilts Grammar School
As the South Wilts 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 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 South Wilts Grammar School 11+ Tests
We have a range of private tutors who specialise in preparing children for the South Wilts 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 South Wilts Grammar School
Unfortunately, South Wilts 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 South Wilts Grammar School
Here are some superb free 11+ practice papers that children can download and use to help prepare for the South Wilts 11+ Ensure you double-check with South Wilts 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 South Wilts 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 South Wilts 11+ to get into South Wilts Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for South Wilts 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 South Wilts Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | |||
| GL Assessment | Maths | |||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Mixed |
11+ Practice Papers for South Wilts 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 South Wilts 11+.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | English |
11+ Practice Papers for South Wilts 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 South Wilts Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | English | ||
| GL Assessment | Writing | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths | ||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for South Wilts 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 South Wilts Grammar School.
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Maths | |||
| GL Assessment | English | |||
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
These Free CEM 11+ Practice Papers were published by CGP and we thank them for granting us permission to distribute them. If South Wilts 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 Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CEM | Maths | |||
| CEM | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| CEM | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for South Wilts Grammar School by 11+ For You
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "11+ For You".
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for South Wilts Grammar School by Examberry
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by "Examberry".
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Non-Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for South Wilts Grammar School by Independent Junction
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by Independent Junction.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning |
11+ Practice Papers for South Wilts Grammar School by IPS
These Free 11+ Practice Papers were published some time ago by IPS (Internet Primary School Ltd).
| Exam Board | Subject | Answer Sheet | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | |||
| GL Assessment | Maths |
11+ Practice Papers for South Wilts Grammar School by Schofield & Sims
These 11+ practice papers were published by Schofield & Sims, a large UK educational publisher.
| Exam Board | Subject | Question Booklet | Answers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GL Assessment | Verbal Reasoning | ||
| GL Assessment | Maths |
School Information
Below you will find further information about South Wilts Grammar School together with their admissions contact details.
| Address | South Wilts Grammar School, Stratford Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 3JJ |
|---|---|
| School Website | https://www.swgs.wilts.sch.uk/ |
| Telephone | 01722323326 |
| Email Address | admissions@swgs.wilts.sch.uk |
| Gender | Girls only |
| Total Year 7 Places | 160 |
| Total Pupils (Girls/Boys) | 1142 (1047 Girls / 95 Boys) |
| Headteacher | Mrs Michele Chilcott |
South Wilts Grammar School is a girls 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 1,142 pupils attend South Wilts Grammar School and it's led by the Headteacher, Mrs Michele Chilcott.
South Wilts Grammar School Location
Below you will find a map showing the school's location:
Ofsted Information
South Wilts Grammar School was last inspected by Ofsted on 22/10/2019 and the inspection only lasted one day. Ofsted published their report on 17/11/2019, declaring that the school was 'Good'. This information is summarised in the table below along with a link to the full report.
Last Ofsted Report Data
| Date Inspected | Inspection Duration (Days) | Reporting Date | Rating | Full Report | 22/10/2019 | 1 | 17/11/2019 | Good | Full Report |
|---|
Ofsted Report Summary
South Wilts Grammar School was inspected by Ofsted on 22 October 2019 and received an overall rating of Good. The school demonstrated a Good quality of education, Good personal development, and Good leadership and management. The sixth form provision was also rated as Good.
The inspection highlighted that the behaviour and attitudes of students at South Wilts Grammar School were Outstanding. This indicates that the school has fostered a positive learning environment where students are engaged, respectful, and motivated to succeed.
The Good ratings across multiple areas suggest that South Wilts Grammar School is providing a well-rounded education to its students, with a focus on both academic achievement and personal growth. The school's leadership team has effectively implemented strategies to ensure high-quality teaching, support student development, and maintain a positive school culture.
GCSE & A-Level Subjects
Below you will find a complete list of GCSE and A-Level subjects offered to pupils at South Wilts Grammar School for the 2022-23 academic year.
| GCSE Subjects Offered |
|
|---|---|
| A-Level Subjects Offered |
|
GCSE & A-Level Performance
Below are the individual GCSE and A-Level performance tables for South Wilts 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)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | ||
| Art & Design (Fine Art) | 31 | - | - | - | 1 | - | 3 | 5 | 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Biology | 156 | - | - | - | - | 6 | 18 | 30 | 41 | 33 | 28 |
| Chemistry | 154 | 1 | - | - | 2 | 14 | 19 | 33 | 36 | 26 | 23 |
| Computer Studies/Computing | 29 | - | - | 1 | - | 2 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 2 |
| Design & Technology | 39 | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 6 |
| English Language | 156 | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 12 | 38 | 38 | 44 | 22 |
| English Literature | 153 | - | - | - | 1 | 3 | 16 | 31 | 38 | 38 | 26 |
| D&T Food Technology | 36 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 13 | 20 |
| French | 63 | 1 | - | - | - | 2 | 7 | 8 | 14 | 17 | 14 |
| Geography | 97 | - | - | - | - | 3 | 6 | 13 | 26 | 25 | 24 |
| German | 32 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 4 | 12 |
| History | 66 | - | - | 1 | 1 | - | 5 | 7 | 11 | 29 | 12 |
| Mathematics | 156 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 11 | 26 | 33 | 54 | 30 |
| Music | 12 | - | - | - | - | - | 3 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| Physics | 154 | 2 | - | - | 2 | 8 | 14 | 27 | 37 | 32 | 32 |
| Religious Studies | 149 | - | - | - | 2 | 6 | 8 | 35 | 31 | 39 | 28 |
| Drama & Theatre Studies | 25 | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Physical Education/Sports Studies | 30 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 9 | 7 | 12 |
A-Level Results Information (2022-23)
| Subject | Total Pupils | Grades Achieved | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | E | D | C | B | A | A* | |||||
| Art and Design (Fine Art) | 15 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 3 | |||
| Biology | 68 | - | 10 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 12 | 4 | |||
| Business Studies:Single | 16 | - | 1 | 5 | 3 | 7 | - | - | |||
| Chemistry | 45 | - | 5 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 3 | |||
| Classical Civilisation | 12 | - | - | 1 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | |||
| Computer Studies / Computing | 8 | - | 1 | 3 | 2 | - | 1 | - | |||
| Design and Technology (Product Design) | 19 | - | - | - | 4 | 6 | 6 | 3 | |||
| Drama and Theatre Studies | 8 | - | - | - | 1 | 4 | 3 | - | |||
| Economics | 14 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 1 | |||
| English Language | 16 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 12 | - | 1 | |||
| English Literature | 24 | - | 1 | 3 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 3 | |||
| French | 14 | - | - | 1 | - | 8 | 3 | 2 | |||
| Geography | 26 | - | - | 3 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 4 | |||
| Government and Politics | 16 | - | - | 2 | 5 | 4 | 5 | - | |||
| History | 30 | - | 1 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 9 | 3 | |||
| Mathematics | 68 | - | 4 | 6 | 14 | 12 | 17 | 14 | |||
| Mathematics (Further) | 13 | - | - | 1 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | |||
| Music | 6 | - | - | - | - | 4 | 2 | - | |||
| Physical Education / Sports Studies | 9 | - | - | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |||
| Physics | 41 | - | 3 | 2 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 5 | |||
| Psychology | 54 | - | - | 6 | 16 | 21 | 10 | 1 | |||
| Religious Studies | 11 | - | - | - | 1 | 8 | 2 | - | |||
| Geology | 7 | - | - | - | 2 | 2 | 3 | - | |||
FAQ
Is South Wilts Grammar School hard to get into?
Yes, South Wilts 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 South Wilts Grammar School a private school?
No, South Wilts Grammar School is one of the few remaining academically selective, state-funded grammar schools left in England.
Is South Wilts Grammar School free?
Yes, South Wilts Grammar School is free, there are no school fees. Thus, sending your child to South Wilts Grammar School won't cost you any money.
How do I get my child into South Wilts Grammar School?
You need to apply to take the school's 11+ test. Contact South Wilts 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 South Wilts Grammar School a girls-only school?
Yes, South Wilts Grammar School is a girls-only school.
