St Swithun's Prep School A GSG School
- St Swithun's Prep School
Alresford Road
Winchester
Hampshire
SO21 1HA - Head: Mrs Liz Norris
- T 01962 835750
- F 01962 835781
- E office.prepschool@stswithuns.com
- W www.stswithuns.com
- A mainstream independent school for girls aged from 4 to 11 with a co-ed nursery and a linked girls' senior school.
- Boarding: No
- Local authority: Hampshire
- Pupils: 211
- Religion: Church of England
- Fees: £15,440 - £20,970 pa (last updated on 17/01/2025)
- Open days: Contact the school
- Review: View The Good Schools Guide Review
- Linked schools: St Swithun's School
What The Good Schools Guide says..
Academic progress taken seriously, though girls pleasingly unaware of it. Every parent we spoke to mentioned academics as a reason for choosing the school. Maximum of 18 in a class, 16 at key stage one. Teachers seem to strike the right balance: ‘she’s basically Miss Honey’, one mum tells us. Around 100 girls learn an instrument; lots of chances to perform. It’s about giving it a try. ‘Fancing having a go in a steel band?’, read one poster, ‘come and explore the sunny world of the Caribbean steel drums!’
What the school says...
If you were to ask a St Swithuns parent why they chose us for their child, I hope they would tell you that it is because we believe a childs education should be about discovery, a sense of adventure and a spirit of excitement and fun; that good academic success and a great deal more is achieved as a result of this ethos.
We are a non-selective school and, as such, our academic success is achieved through good teaching in small groups, excellent resources and facilities, supportive parents and motivated children who enjoy coming to school.
It is the children that we are most proud of and we spend a lot of time building their self esteem. All children have different talents and skills and my teaching staff and I are committed to finding and developing these. Success in one area leads to a boost in confidence elsewhere and this helps our pupils feel secure enough to explore and take risks.
When searching for a school, I believe parents look for a number of qualities confident and engaging pupils; staff who are dedicated to ensuring that the pupils are successful and happy; an understanding that every child is different; exceptional facilities. You will find these at St Swithuns. ...Read more
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Other features
All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.
What The Good Schools Guide says
Head
Since 2023, Liz Norris, previously interim head of prep at St Helen's School. Prior to this she was head of junior school at St Margaret’s School in Bushey, Hertfordshire. She was also responsible for pastoral care as phase leader and senior management team member at Bancroft’s Prep School.
In the past she has worked as a private education consultant, supporting reviews on curriculum design and assessment protocols while also undertaking a master’s in education. Away from the classroom, she plays the piano, flute and cello and has been a youth leader at her local church.
Entrance
Entry into preschool or reception by date of registration. Places further up the school allocated based on taster day and cognitive ability test. School is nearing capacity, ‘comfortable’ on numbers, and higher up the school will only...
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Special Education Needs
At St Swithun’s we aim to help every child fulfil their potential. Teachers constantly monitor the progress and achievements of the children and any concerns are promptly discussed with parents and our head of learning support. A specific learning difficulty may be identified via in-house screening or by referral to a specialist, if necessary. A package of support is then devised, delivered and regularly reviewed. Parents are always kept fully informed and involved in the process. There is no charge for learning support, although the cost of external assessments is met by the parents. We operate a very open, positive attitude to each child’s needs. Everyone is encouraged to recognise, accept and celebrate their individuality, and to respect the differences they see in others.
| Condition | Provision for in school |
|---|---|
| ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder
Might cover/be referred to as;
ASD - Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Aspergers, Autism, High functioning autism, Neurodivergent, Neurodiversity, Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), PDA , Social skills, Sensory processing disorder |
|
| HI - Hearing Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Hearing Impairment, HI - Hearing Impairment |
|
| MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Learning needs, MLD - Moderate Learning Difficulty |
|
| MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
MSI - Multi-Sensory Impairment, Sensory processing |
|
| OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
Downs Syndrome, Epilepsy, Genetic , OTH - Other Difficulty/Disability, Tics, Tourettes |
|
| PD - Physical Disability
Might cover/be referred to as;
PD - Physical Disability |
|
| PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, Global delay, Global developmental delay, PMLD - Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty |
|
| SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health
Might cover/be referred to as;
Anxiety , Complex needs, Emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA), Mental Health, SEMH - Social, Emotional and Mental Health, Trauma |
|
| SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication
Might cover/be referred to as;
DLD - Developmental Language Disorder, Selective mutism, SLCN - Speech, Language and Communication |
|
| SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
Complex needs, SLD - Severe Learning Difficulty, Cerebral Palsy (CP) |
|
| SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty
Might cover/be referred to as;
ADHD, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Auditory Processing, DCD, Developmental Co-ordination Difficulties (DCD), Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Handwriting, Other specific learning difficulty, SpLD - Specific Learning Difficulty, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) |
Y |
| VI - Visual Impairment
Might cover/be referred to as;
Special facilities for Visually Impaired, VI - Visual Impairment |
Leavers' destinations
| School | Year | Places | Scholarships | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Swithun's School | 2024 | 32 | ||
| Cheltenham Ladies' College | 2024 | 1 | ||
| King Edward VI School (Southampton) | 2024 | 1 | ||
| Kings' School (Winchester) | 2024 | 1 |
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