The Pilgrims' School A GSG School
- The Pilgrims' School
3 The Close
Winchester
Hampshire
SO23 9LT - Head: Dr Sarah Essex
- T 01962 854189
- F 01962 843610
- E [email protected]
- W www.thepilgrims-school.co.uk/
- An independent school for boys aged from 4 to 13.
- Boarding: Yes
- Local authority: Hampshire
- Pupils: 270
- Religion: Church of England
- Fees: Day £11,400 - £19,860; Boarding £25,305; Choral scholar £15,183 pa
- Open days: individual visits by appointment and invitation to events
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- Ofsted report: View the Ofsted report
- ISI report: View the ISI report
What The Good Schools Guide says..
A huge orchestra was successfully tackling Beethoven ‘on sight’ in the medieval Pilgrims’ Hall (also used for assemblies) when we visited, while the Big Band was swinging away in the music department. Nearly everyone learns an instrument. Teaching looked to be fun and boys clearly enjoyed an English lesson while a maths group we saw was involved in establishing the purpose behind algebraic calculations and definitely getting the point. For a smallish school Pilgrims fields an astonishing number of teams...
What the school says...
Located in the heart of historic Winchester, less than one hour from London, The Pilgrims' School aims to educate its pupils well, to give them self-confidence and a delight in achievement. It aims at much more than this, however.
The Pilgrims' School is home to two professional choirs, the Winchester Cathedral Choristers and the Quiristers of the Winchester College chapel choir. In unique association with Winchester College, we have high academic standards and outstanding resources. As one of the major choir schools of the UK, The Pilgrims' School has many talented and budding musicians, Choristers and Quiristers aside, who inspire in all a love of music and the arts. As a church school, it has sound discipline and exceptional pastoral care. As a sporting school, it plays all the major games with almost daily rigour. High ambition, zeal and determination, an awareness of the worth of others, solid commitment, a deep faith; these are the fundamentals we try to instil.
Rather than open days, we prefer to offer an individual tour of the school with one of our senior boys as a guide, affording the opportunity to sample the working day character of the school, to see our style of teaching and to spend time with key members of staff. Visitors are always very welcome, please feel free to call us if you would like to book a visit. ...Read more
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Other features
Choir school - substantial scholarships and bursaries usually available for choristers.
What The Good Schools Guide says
Head
Since September 2020, Dr Sarah Essex, formerly deputy head (academic) at Fulham School. Grew up in Worcester. Impressive CV includes a first in natural sciences and PhD in theoretical inorganic chemistry, both from Cambridge. Extensive experience in teaching and management, including at The Hall, and before that she worked in consultancy. Music, theatre, running and Pilates all feature in her long list of interests, and on her holidays she enjoys scuba diving and monoskiing.
Entrance
Boys are assessed in individual taster days, designed as much to gauge whether the boy will take to Pilgrims' life as to establish educational ability. Pilgrims’ is selective but interested in boys who will do well there rather than just academia alone. Entry to the pre-prep is by fun activity mornings, and there are 10 or so places available at 7+and...
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Special Education Needs
We offer one to one tuition for boys who have specific learning dificulties. 10-09
Leavers' destinations
| School | Year | Places | Scholarships | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester College | 2019 | 18 | ||
| Sherborne School | 2019 | 4 | ||
| Eton College | 2019 | 3 | ||
| Canford School | 2019 | 2 | ||
| King Edward VI School (Southampton) | 2019 | 2 | ||
| The Portsmouth Grammar School | 2019 | 2 | ||
| Bedales School | 2019 | 1 | ||
| Bradfield College | 2019 | 1 | ||
| Charterhouse | 2019 | 1 | ||
| Marlborough College | 2019 | 1 | ||
| Radley College | 2019 | 1 | ||
| St Edward's Oxford | 2019 | 1 | ||
| Uppingham School | 2019 | 1 |
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