- Source: South Wilts Grammar School
South Wilts Grammar School, formerly South Wilts Grammar School for Girls, is a grammar school in Salisbury, south Wiltshire, England, for pupils aged 11 to 18. Established in 1927, the school converted to an academy in 2011. In 2020, the name was changed to South Wilts Grammar School to reflect the admission of male students into the sixth form in September of that year.
History
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.
South Wilts gained specialist status in mathematics and computing in 2003, and in 2010 the International School Award. It became an academy in January 2011.
In 2009, it was the top-achieving school in Salisbury, including independent schools. Entry is by a selective entrance examination known as the eleven-plus.
Since September 2020, the school admits boys to its sixth form.
Notable former pupils
Anna Brecon, Emmerdale actress
Carolyn Browne, former Ambassador to Azerbaijan
Sally Clark, lawyer
Helen Dawes, Anglican priest and academic
Norvela Forster, MEP from 1979 to 1984 for Birmingham South
Penny Tranter, BBC weather forecaster
Extra-curricular activities
The school has a Jazz Band, Wind Band, Orchestra, Guitar Group, Chamber string Group, Junior choir, Senior choir and A Cappella.
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.
The school competes in Oxford and Cambridge Schools' Debating Competitions and the ESU Churchill Public Speaking Competition.
Teacher misconduct cases
In 2015, Debbie Evans, who had been head of art at South Wilts until she resigned in 2013, was banned from teaching for life after being found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct for having a two-year affair with an ex-student.
In April 2018, computing teacher Ashley Bakewell admitted to taking inappropriate photos of female pupils at South Wilts without their knowledge, stating that he was particularly attracted to their long hair. He was banned from teaching indefinitely.
References
External links
Official website