Ages 
As saints go, St Swithun was not a glamorous one: he is, after all, best known for predicting rainy English summers. We saw similarly low-key miracles being worked in his name when we visited. Fierce on the lacrosse pitch or in the exam hall, but on a wet November day we found grounded, ordinary girls mooching in the art room or sharing a packet of Hobnobs or bundling energetically (a bit late) into a lesson. Nothing showy about the magic here: just bright girls and great teachers working hard and having fun.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 508 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 139 ·
- Offers boarding
- Yes ·
- Religion
- C of E
- Fees
- Day £32,540; Boarding £54,997 pa
- Local authority
- Hampshire County Council
- Linked schools
Headteacher
Headmistress
Ms Jane Gandee
Since 2010, Jane Gandee MA. French and Spanish at Girton College, Cambridge. Two years in accountancy before teaching: Lord Wandsworth College, Oakham, Queenswood (head of languages) and then City of London School for Girls as director of studies.
Entrance
Register for year 7 by end of year 5. ISEB Common Pre-test (Ms Gandee’s the vice-chair of ISEB’s board) in autumn of year 6 followed by school’s own entry papers (UK-based candidates) or UKiset (overseas candidates). Biggest feeder is school’s own
- Open days
- October and June
Exit
Around a quarter leave after GCSEs to local sixth forms or co-ed independents. Others might shop around before deciding to stay, ‘and we’re really, really glad she did,’ one parent tells us. Seven to Oxbridge and 11 medics in 2025. Other popular 2025
Latest results
In 2025, 77 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 71 per cent A*/A at A level (91 per cent A*-B).
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
Rigorous teaching gets super results. A STEM leaning: biology and chemistry the biggest A levels with maths, geography and psychology right up there too. Results reflect the slightly broader intake: lots of A*s and lots of As; enough Bs that it’s not
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
SEN and EAL teams work closely with teaching staff to ensure that support is relevant and helpful. This can be one-to-one, in small groups etc. A proactive school who do their best with the girls but not the right place for a child with anything more
Arts & extracurricular
These girls ‘are good at stuff’, one mum says; an inherent confidence. We saw a sensational music scholars’ recital; one pupil currently in final of Coach House Schools competition. Half of pupils have individual music lessons. Carol service in
Sport
Lots of chat about sports: mad for netball and lacrosse. A bit of a social currency here, and the girls we met were pretty wholesome. Ms Gandee sets the tone: ‘I don’t mind if they see me in my running shorts,’ she says, which is lucky given that she
Boarders
School aims for 50/50 day/boarding split. ‘Super brilliant’ at settling girls into first-year house: ‘From the moment I dropped her off they said we’ve seen this all before, we’ll keep them busy.’ Only scepticism is that weekends ‘a bit mixed’ for
Ethos & heritage
Founded in 1884 as Winchester High School by daughter of the Dean of Winchester: emerged from ‘Winchester’s community spirit… and the 19th-century enthusiasm to improve girls’ education’. Changed name in 1927 and moved to current site soon after.
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
‘Open-ended’ conversations around inclusion. ‘All these kids come from privilege’, but ‘there is questioning of that privilege,’ say parents. Sophisticated approach to sexuality, gender, race, diversity. ‘They find their voice,’ say parents,
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review In an effort to make the school more of a smartphone-free environment and to optimise the engagement and the mental health of students, 2024 saw the introduction of Yondr. Day students in years 7-11 switch their phone off during morning registration and secure it in their Yondr pouch. The pouch remains their responsibility throughout the school day. At the end of the day, unlocking stations are made accessible and students are free to use their phones once more. Boarders’ phones are stored securely in their boarding houses during the school day and access is available at set times during the evening.
Pupils & parents
‘Well-off Hampshire types are definitely there,’ says one family, ‘but our kids certainly don’t fit in that mould.’ Enough different types to balance things out and school more diverse than the local area (not hard), due in part to international
Money matters
Bramston Bursary Foundation provides fully funded, ‘life-changing’ boarding places for girls. Applications beginning to grow – ‘It’s word of mouth’, says head – and school also works with Springboard charity. Hardship funds available for those ‘that
- Fee information
- Day £32,540; Boarding £54,997 pa
The last word
As saints go, St Swithun was not a glamorous one: he is, after all, best known for predicting rainy English summers. We saw similarly low-key miracles being worked in his name when we visited. Fierce on the lacrosse pitch or in the exam hall, but on
