Ages 
A delightful gem of a school that stands out in the Wiltshire/Hampshire mix for its warmth and care for the individual, developing happy, community-minded pupils confident to follow their own path. From the off, parents agree it’s an environment ‘where you feel your child would be cared for and where the students look after each other’.
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Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 450 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 100 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- None
- Fees
- Day £24,402 - £29,850; Boarding £36,981 - £53,613 pa
- Local authority
- Wiltshire Council
- Linked schools
Headteacher
Head
Jenny Price
Since 2023, Jenny Price, who joined the school as deputy head pastoral in 2018. Music degree from Durham, PGCE from Cambridge. Started teaching career at Bryanston as music teacher and housemistress (inspired by an alumna who was a fellow PGCE stu
Entrance
Described as ‘softly selective’. Applicants at 11+ and 13+ and 16+ entry take bespoke papers in English and maths (science too at 13+) plus interview with head or senior member of staff and reference from existing school. At 16+, entrants need at
- Open days
- Snapshot Mornings run throughout the year. For more information please contact Corinna Florence, Director of Admissions
Exit
Around 30 per cent leave post-GCSE, mainly to co-ed settings. Half of Godolphin sixth formers head off to Russell Group universities to study courses ranging from engineering and natural sciences to history of art. Durham, Exeter, Newcastle, Royal
Latest results
In 2023, 52 per cent 7-9 at GCSE; 49 per cent A*/A at A level (79 per cent A*-B).
% of pupils achieving AAB or higher, including at least 2 facilitating subjects (2024)
What is this?
Facilitating A levels are ones that are commonly needed for entry to leading universities. They are: biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, further mathematics, geography, history, English literature and classical or modern languages. The % of pupils achieving AAB or higher may therefore decrease if many pupils have opted not to take two or more of the facilitating subjects mentioned.
Teaching & learning
Parents tend to choose Godolphin for its inclusive, nurturing environment rather than its academics, then discover the teaching is excellent: ‘Coming here was a revelation,’ said one happy student. Academic progress is impressive, due in no small
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
- VRQ
Learning support & SEN
Full-time SENCo with team of five specialist teachers and three dedicated teaching assistants, ensuring pupils can choose when to come out of lessons for one-to-one support or receive help in class. About 12 per cent with some form of diagnosed Sp
Arts & extracurricular
Art is on another level here – some of the most sophisticated and accomplished work we have seen in any school, so much so that those who go on to art school often find they are already way ahead of their peers. The beautiful two-storey art block
Sport
Sport is a big deal at Godolphin and school punches well above its weight, especially in lacrosse where the top team came second at the 2024 national finals (coach is in GB men’s team). Many pupils compete at national level outside school too, in
Boarders
About half of all pupils board in some form, with weekly and flexi boarding very popular (‘lots stay over after CCF on Tuesdays,’ we heard). Split over three houses, Full boarding is increasing again post-Covid and international students are also
Ethos & heritage
Founded in 1726 by Elizabeth Godolphin, the school moved to its current 16-acre site in 1891. Well situated on the edge of Salisbury, allowing easy access to town yet providing stunning views over the surrounding countryside. The original main hal
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
‘Surround-sound pastoral care,’ agree parents, ‘woven throughout school life.’ Highly nurturing and inclusive environment, in which pupils are genuinely known and appreciated as individuals by everyone from SLT to catering staff: ‘The personal tou
Pupils & parents
Very much about individuality within a community, there’s no ‘Godolphin type’. What holds true is a lack of showiness or arrogance; these are grounded, delightful students from families who value creativity and collegiality alongside strong academ
Money matters
About 15 per cent of pupils on means-tested bursaries. Also HM Forces and sibling discounts. Scholarships confer prestige but no fee reduction.
- Fee information
- Day £24,402 - £29,850; Boarding £36,981 - £53,613 pa
The last word
A delightful gem of a school that stands out in the Wiltshire/Hampshire mix for its warmth and care for the individual, developing happy, community-minded pupils confident to follow their own path. From the off, parents agree it’s an environment ‘
