Founded in 1884. It serves 715 students for students aged 3–18.
Location & getting here
Postcode
SO21 1HA
Nearest station
Winchester2.3 km away
Nearest town
Winchester1800 m
Nearest airports
Framed for international families — drive times are from the school, not the city centre.
| Airport | Distance | Drive from school | International note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow | 74 km | ~106 min | LHR — gateway for Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai |
| Gatwick | 78 km | ~111 min | LGW — good for SE Asia, Middle East via BA/EK/QR |
| London City | 106 km | ~148 min | — |
NanaSays Scorecard
Est. 1884
Year Founded
715
Students Enrolled
Boarding Available
Scholarships Available
Types Available
✓Academic Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form entry (no fee remission from 2026)
✓Arts Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form entry (no fee remission from 2026)
✓Drama Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form entry (no fee remission from 2026)
✓Mathematics Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form entry (no fee remission from 2026)
✓Music Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form entry (no fee remission from 2026)
✓Sports Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form entry (no fee remission from 2026)
✓Military Bursary — 20% boarding fee reduction for HM Armed Forces and diplomatic service families drawing CEA
Bursaries (means-tested): Transformational bursary programme provides free boarding places to girls from very disadvantaged circumstances or on the edge of needing UK social care.
💡 Scholarship amounts and bursary likelihood analysis are in the Full Deep Report.
Merit-based Scholarships
Key facts
Founded
1884
Ages
3–18 (Girls)
Pupils on roll
715
Fees
$ 14,458.11–$ 57,816.24 / year
Inspectorate
ISI
Fees & the true cost of attendance
Published fees
| Phase | Per term | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool | £4,819.37 | £14,458.11 |
| Reception, Years 1-2 | £5,738.24 | £17,214.72 |
| Year 3 | £7,935.86 | £23,807.58 |
| Years 4-6 | £8,049.88 | £24,149.64 |
| Day Girl (Senior) | £11,403.37 | £34,210.11 |
| Boarder (Senior) | £19,272.08 | £57,816.24 |
Compulsory extras (on top of tuition)
| Item | Frequency | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Registration fee (Senior) | One-time | £350 |
| Registration fee (Prep) | One-time | £75 |
| Deposit (Year 7, UK resident) | Per year | £1,500 |
| Deposit (Year 9, UK resident) | Per year | £3,200 |
| Deposit (Year 12, UK resident) | Per year | £5,000 |
| Deposit (Overseas/Non-UK full-boarding) | Per year | £15,000 |
| Co-curricular activities (Prep) | Per year | £105 |
Budget beyond the sticker price. Assume the real annual spend is 5–15% higher than the headline fee. Hidden costs typically include: registration fee, acceptance deposit (usually one term's fees, refundable at the end of schooling), uniform + sports kit, trips and expeditions, individual music tuition, exam entry fees, travel to/from home.
Ask the Bursar for a sample "all-in" first-year invoice before committing.
Scholarships & financial assistance
Merit-based scholarships (7 types)
Academic Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form entry (no fee remission from 2026)
Arts Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form entry (no fee remission from 2026)
Drama Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form entry (no fee remission from 2026)
Mathematics Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form entry (no fee remission from 2026)
Music Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form entry (no fee remission from 2026)
Sports Scholarship — available at 11+, 13+ and Sixth Form entry (no fee remission from 2026)
Military Bursary — boarding fee reduction for HM Armed Forces and diplomatic service families drawing CEA20% fee remission
ℹ️ This school has not published the exact % fee remission for each award. Ask the admissions team directly — typical independent school scholarships range from 5% to 50% of fees.
Means-tested bursaries — the school looks at your family income and can offer a much larger discount than any scholarship. Transformational bursary programme provides free boarding places to girls from very disadvantaged circumstances or on the edge of needing UK social care. Ask the Bursar directly — these are rarely advertised prominently.
What Makes This School Different
Positive Education programme
Thrive (PSHE) curriculum
Financial Wellbeing course (sixth form,
Duke of Edinburgh Award programme
Model UN
#BeeWell wellbeing survey participation
Clubs & Activities
Model UNDebating clubScience clubGardening clubSchool choirs (multiple)Drama clubMusic lessons and ensemblesPhotographyPotteryAfrican drumming+13 more
Expeditions include: Visits to Bath, Visits to Oxford, Shopping trips to Winchester, Water sports weekends, Surfing weekends and 1 more.
Academic Results
A-Level A*
34%
72% A*/A
GCSE Grade 9
37%
77% grade 7+
University Destinations 2025
BathBristolCambridgeDurhamEdinburghExeterUniversity of ChicagoUniversity of Toronto
Admissions
| Entry point | Assessment | Assessment date | Registration deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 7 (11+) | ISEB Common Pre-test by mid-November in Year 6; UK candidates take own entry papers in English and Mathematics at St Swithun's in November; overseas candidates take ISEB by 31 October and own papers at British Council on last Saturday in October; meeting with Headmistress | October-November, Year 6 | Applications now due for 2026 entry |
| Year 9 (13+) | ISEB Common Pre-test by third Friday in November Year 7 (early offer); all candidates take written entry papers in Year 8 equivalent; meeting with Headmistress | October-November, Year 7-8 | Registrations now due for 2027 entry |
| Year 12 (16+) | UKiset (overseas candidates, results by mid-October); assessment day at St Swithun's first weekend in November year before entry; CAT4 tests, written papers in chosen A Level subjects, online interviews with sixth-form teaching staff | May (UKiset registration) and November (assessment) | Registrations now due for 2026 entry |
How to apply
- Make enquiry and register with school
- Complete ISEB Common Pre-test or UKiset
- Attend assessment day or sit entrance exams at designated centre
- Meet with Headmistress and/or department heads
- Receive offer letter
- Pay non-refundable deposit to secure place
- Complete enrollment and final fee arrangements
What you'll need to submit
- Online registration form
- School report from current school
- Confidential reference form from current school
- ISEB Common Pre-test results (Year 7 and 9 overseas)
- UKiset results (Year 12 overseas)
- A Level subject choices (Year 12 candidates)
Open events
- Open Days — held throughout the year
- Individual school tours — available by arrangement
Scholarships: Scholarships recognise achievement and attitude in academic, arts, drama, mathematics, music and sports areas. Scholarship awards from 2026 do not carry fee remission.
Admissions contact: [email protected], 01962 835742
Candidates whose first language is not English must take EAL assessment and secure an international English certificate. Girls joining Sixth Form must provide recent school report before applications accepted.
Why Families Choose
- Sport
- Academic
Student Demographics
School Type
girls
Age Range
3 – 18
School Background
Religious Affiliation
Church of England
Sports Programme
155
teams across 12 sports
Signature Sports
netballlacrossetenniscricketathletics
Teams by Sport
badminton
3
teams
cricket
29
teams
cross country
7
teams
cycling
2
teams
football
15
teams
golf
1
teams
indoor cricket
1
teams
lacrosse
21
teams
netball
35
teams
swimming
19
teams
tennis
20
teams
trampoline
2
teams
Also Offered
athleticsgymnastics
Facilities
Two swimming pools12 tennis courts (being converted to covered courts)Grass athletics trackAll-weather field areasSports hallNetball courtsLacrosse fields45-acre site
Director of Sport: Jon Riley
Frequently Asked Questions
Contact the admissions office at St Swithuns directly for current fee information.