About Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS)
Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School (BWS) is a selective boys' grammar school (with a co-educational Sixth Form) in Salisbury, Wiltshire, located within the grounds of Salisbury Cathedral. It admits approximately 170 boys per year. BWS uses GL Assessment and shares its admissions process with South Wilts Grammar School as part of the South West Grammar Schools Consortium. Registration is via Wiltshire Council from 1st April to 30th June annually.
Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) provides an excellent education with high academic standards and a broad curriculum. GCSE 9–7: 65.3%. A-Level A*–B: 80.4%.
About the GL Assessment 11+ Test for Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS)
Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) is a boys state grammar school in England that uses the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test to select pupils for Year 7 admission. The school admits approximately 170 Year 7 pupils each September, and applications must be made through your home Local Authority via the Common Application Form (CAF) — never directly to the school.
The GL Assessment 11+ is one of two main 11+ test providers in England (the other being CEM, now retired in many regions). The Wiltshire test typically consists of multiple papers covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Scores are standardised against the cohort age distribution, so younger pupils are not disadvantaged. Each school sets its own qualifying mark (pass mark).
For 2027 entry, the GL Assessment test is sat in September 2026 and results are released to parents on Mid-October 2026 — crucially, before the Common Application Form deadline of Friday 31 October 2026, giving parents time to consider results before listing school preferences. National Offers Day is Monday 1 March 2027, when Local Authorities issue Year 7 secondary school offers.
Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) is academically selective — pupils must achieve the qualifying mark in the 11+ test to be eligible for a place. If applications exceed the published admission number (170 places), the school applies its oversubscription criteria (looked-after children, FSME, siblings, distance) to allocate places. This page is updated each year with the latest verified admissions criteria, key dates and oversubscription rules.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS)
Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) Admissions Criteria
Bishop Wordsworth's Church of England Grammar School (BWS) is a selective boys' grammar school (with a co-educational Sixth Form) in Salisbury, Wiltshire, located within the grounds of Salisbury Cathedral. It admits approximately 170 boys per year. BWS uses GL Assessment and shares its admissions process with South Wilts Grammar School as part of the South West Grammar Schools Consortium. Registration is via Wiltshire Council from 1st April to 30th June annually.
- ✓Complete the online registration form on the Wiltshire Council website between 1st April and 30th June (Year 5).
- ✓Sit the GL Assessment 11+ entrance exam: two multiple-choice papers (English and Mathematics) at Bishop Wordsworth's School in September of Year 6.
- ✓Achieve the qualifying standardised score set by the school.
- ✓BWS has no fixed catchment area but welcomes applications from Salisbury and neighbouring counties.
- ✓Looked-after and previously looked-after children who achieve the qualifying score (highest priority).
- ✓Church of England or Christian boys within designated parishes (given priority).
- ✓All other qualifying boys, ranked by score then distance.
- ✓Complete the Supplementary Information Form (available from the school) and submit to Wiltshire County Council.
- ✓Apply via Wiltshire LA CAF by 31st October 2026.
Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) Oversubscription Criteria
If applications exceed the 170 Year 7 admission number, the Board of Governors / Trust applies the following criteria in priority order. Final ranking uses the standardised score achieved in the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test.
- Looked-after / previously looked-after children (highest priority by law)
- Children who achieve the qualifying mark in the entrance test (above the qualifying standard set by Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS))
- Children eligible for Pupil Premium / Free School Meals Entitlement (FSME)
- Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school
- Children with sibling(s) currently attending the school
- Children of staff (where staff member has worked at the school for 2+ years)
- Children ranked by total standardised score (highest first) up to the published admission number
- Tiebreak: distance from home to school (straight-line measurement) for children with equal scores
Key Dates & Deadlines — Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) 2026 Entry
| 📌 Registration opens | May 2026 |
| 📌 Registration closes | late June 2026 (varies by school) |
| 📌 GL Assessment 11+ Entrance Test | September 2026 (English + Maths + Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning) |
| 📌 Test results released | Mid-October 2026 |
| 📌 CAF deadline (apply via Local Authority) | Friday 31 October 2026 |
| 📌 National Offers Day | Monday 1 March 2027 |
How to Apply to Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) via the Common Application Form
Step 1 — Register your child for the GL Assessment 11+ Test
Register through your regional 11+ portal (e.g. Wiltshire) when registration opens. Closes late June 2026 (varies by school). There is no fee to sit the GL Assessment test.
Step 2 — Attend an Open Day at Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS)
Visit during Year 5 or early Year 6 to meet staff and pupils and decide whether to list this school on your CAF.
Step 3 — Sit the GL Assessment Entrance Test
Your child sits the GL Assessment in September 2026. The test typically covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with standardised scores age-adjusted.
Step 4 — Receive your standardised test results
Test results are released to parents on Mid-October 2026, BEFORE the Common Application Form deadline. You will receive a standardised score and an indication of whether your child has passed the qualifying mark.
Step 5 — Complete your Common Application Form (CAF)
List Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) as one of your preferences on the CAF submitted via your home Local Authority (not the school's LA, unless they are the same). You can usually list 3-6 preferences depending on your LA.
Step 6 — Submit the CAF by the deadline
Submit your CAF by Friday 31 October 2026. Late applications are processed only after all on-time applications have been allocated, dramatically reducing your chance of a place.
Step 7 — Receive your school offer on National Offers Day
Offers are issued via your Local Authority on Monday 1 March 2027. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS)'s waiting list — managed by the school itself.
GL Assessment Subjects Tested at Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS)
Bishop Wordsworth's School selects through a GL Assessment 11+ entrance test, shared with South Wilts Grammar School — two multiple-choice papers of roughly 50–55 minutes each, with age-standardised scoring.
- Verbal skills: English comprehension, spelling, grammar and verbal reasoning.
- Mathematics: Key Stage 2 numeracy and problem-solving.
- Non-verbal & spatial reasoning: shapes, sequences and spatial patterns.
GL Assessment Practice Papers for Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS)
Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) uses the GL Assessment 11+ format. Our practice papers closely mirror the actual test structure — with full video explanations for every question.
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How to Prepare for the Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
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Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
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Academic Performance at Bishop Wordsworth's School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) ranks among the strongest performers in the South West. In 2024 around 64% of GCSE grades were 9–7 and about 75% of A-Level grades were A*–B, with the number of pupils progressing to Oxbridge regularly in double figures.
- GCSE: consistently strong results across a broad academic curriculum.
- A-Level: a wide sixth-form offer (co-educational since 2020) with high A*–B outcomes.
- Progression: strong progression to Russell Group universities, with regular Oxbridge success.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school's website.
Catchment Area for Bishop Wordsworth's School
Admission to Year 7 is through a GL Assessment 11+ entrance test, taken in September of Year 6 (register in Year 5) and shared with South Wilts Grammar School. It is two multiple-choice papers of roughly 50–55 minutes each — one covering verbal skills (English comprehension, spelling, grammar and verbal reasoning) and the other mathematics and non-verbal reasoning (including spatial reasoning) — with age-standardised scores. The qualifying standard is typically around 70–74%, with a threshold about 3% lower for Pupil Premium boys and 10 places reserved for that group.
The school offers around 160 Year 7 places and operates a designated catchment area covering Salisbury and surrounding villages; eligible children with an EHCP naming the school are admitted first, after which straight-line distance to the school's Exeter Street gate is used in the oversubscription order. Always confirm the current qualifying score, catchment map and criteria in the school's admissions booklet.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1890 by John Wordsworth, Bishop of Salisbury — it began with just 40 boys taught in the Bishop's Palace — Bishop Wordsworth's is a Church of England grammar school for boys (with a co-educational sixth form since September 2020) of nearly 1,200 pupils, set within the Cathedral Close in Salisbury (SP1 2ED). It became an academy in 2011 and holds specialisms in Languages and Science; pupils attend chapel services in Salisbury Cathedral itself, giving the school a distinctive identity and sense of purpose.
The school emphasises character, leadership and responsibility, with sport compulsory and a strong culture in music, sport and drama. For the full list of activities and pastoral arrangements, see the school's own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bishop Wordsworth's School
How do I apply to Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) for Year 7?
Applications to Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) are made through your home Local Authority Common Application Form (CAF) — not directly to the school. Your child must sit the GL Assessment 11+ test (registration closes late June 2026 (varies by school)), then list Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) on the CAF. The CAF deadline is Friday 31 October 2026.
Does Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) use the GL Assessment 11+ test?
Yes — Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) uses the GL Assessment 11+ entrance test for Year 7 admission, taken in September 2026 (English + Maths + Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning). The test covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, with standardised age-adjusted scores.
What is the pass mark / qualifying score for Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS)?
Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) sets its own qualifying mark each year. Pupils must score at or above the qualifying mark to be eligible for a place. Final ranking is by total standardised score (highest first) up to the admission number of 170 places.
How many Year 7 places does Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) have?
Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) admits 170 Year 7 pupils each September. Demand for places typically exceeds supply, so the school applies its oversubscription criteria (looked-after children, FSME, siblings, distance) to allocate places fairly.
When are GL Assessment results released in 2026?
For 2027 Year 7 entry, GL Assessment test results are released on Mid-October 2026 — before the Common Application Form deadline of Friday 31 October 2026. You will receive a standardised score and an indication of whether your child has passed the qualifying mark.
When is National Offers Day for Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) in 2027?
National Offers Day for Year 7 secondary school places in England is Monday 1 March 2027. Offers are issued by your home Local Authority — not directly by the school. If unsuccessful, you can appeal or join Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS)'s waiting list.
Is Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) a state school or fee-paying?
Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) is a state-funded grammar school — there are no tuition fees. As a state grammar, it is academically selective via the GL Assessment 11+ test, but pupils who pass the test do not pay to attend.
How can my child prepare for the Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) 11+ test?
ExamTutor offers a complete GL Assessment 11+ preparation programme including tutor-led practice papers, full video explanations for every question (covering all GL topic areas — English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning), and downloadable resources. Most parents start preparation 12-18 months before the September 11+ test.
Where can I find Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS)'s official admissions policy?
The full Admissions Policy for Bishop Wordsworth's School (BWS) 2027 entry is published on the school's official website. Always check the school's website for the most up-to-date oversubscription criteria, qualifying mark, supplementary forms (if any), and any school-specific application requirements.