St Swithuns

St Swithun's was founded in 1884 by Anna Bramston as Winchester High School for Girls, with the aim of developing women of independent thought. The school later moved to Magdalen Hill, where it now combines girls' day education with weekly and full boarding and a Sixth Form. Its long history is balanced by a modern senior programme that gives pupils room to pursue academic, practical and creative interests.

The Sixth Form offers 25 A-level subjects, including sciences, computer science, economics, classical civilisation, drama and languages. Extension and higher-education support are available for pupils considering medicine, veterinary science, dentistry, Oxbridge and other competitive routes. The academic programme is broad, but it also gives older students clear support as they make subject and destination choices.

Life beyond lessons ranges from biology, mathematics, chemistry, linguistics and debating societies to golf, archery, karate and fencing. Choirs, rock bands and orchestras sit alongside an enterprise programme in which pupils design, pitch and test ideas. Boarders have an additional weekend programme of cultural, sporting and social activities, with research and critical thinking adding an academic thread to those experiences.

The senior entry points are Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12. Written assessments, cognitive adaptive tests, school reports and a confidential reference form part of the admissions route, with additional arrangements for overseas applicants. Full, weekly and flexi boarding give families different ways to join the community, while the house system connects pupils across age groups and stages.