Bishop Wordsworth’s Salisbury

TessApricot · 2021-02-18T19:38:00+00:00

Any current parents? Are you happy with your DS’s experience? My DS has passed the 11+ but due to COVID I haven’t had the chance to visit so don’t know anything about it! I’d welcome any feedback. Thank you.

kitnkaboodle · 19/02/2021 17:10

Hi there

I'll give you my honest experience. My DS went there for sixth form in 2018 but had to drop out due to anxiety/mental health issues. My impression of it was that it was a very old-school grammar school. Very academic and quite pressurised. For example, there is a 'roll of honour' board on the stairs up to the chapel listing all the boys who got into Oxford or Cambridge. That made me raise an eyebrow. It also struck me as posher than many a private school, and the boys there all seemed solidly middle class (not snobby - just posh!). Lots of old school traditions like Founder's Day services in the cathedral, etc. Our local private school (Dauntsey's) seems relaxed by comparison and rather more forward-looking. It's a beautiful location and they have close ties with the cathedral - but your 11 year old DS might not rank that very highly!!
That said - my DS's anxiety issues were not necessarily caused by being at BW - I think it was just a perfect storm. AND ... more to the point ... BW were absolutely brilliant about his mental health issues from a pastoral point of view. They kept in close touch with us and did all they could to try to gently get him back there. I was very impressed with that and didn't necessarily expect it from such a traditional school. I was expecting them to write him off or tell him to get over it but they were great. His mates who also went there all did well and have gone to Bristol, Exeter uni, etc.

hollypocks · 19/02/2021 17:44

I’ve 2 at sixth form, we did not live here for 11+ but I’ve been incredibly happy for the past year and a half. Definitely pressurised and have to keep up but turns out respectful and curious young men. I can imagine that it’s quite tricky though if you are struggling academically. PM me if I can help in any way

Original poster

TessApricot · 19/02/2021 18:43

Thank you both. That’s very helpful. It sounds like my son would cope well with it. It’s so weird choosing a a school without seeing it! I do think it’s a shame that there isn’t more outdoor space. It seems incredibly cramped from the outside.

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kitnkaboodle · 19/02/2021 19:43

It is rather cramped but has a nice old bit and lawn tucked away. How far do you live btw? Our DS had an hour's bus ride in each day at early o'clock, and I don't think that did a lot for his stress levels 😔

Flamingolingo · 19/02/2021 19:51

I know the school, not as a parent, but as someone who worked in schools liaison for a university for several years. It is an exceptional school, with switched on and dedicated teachers. I can well believe that it is high pressure and strongly academic, but for the right child I think it would open doors. I have colleagues who have experience of BW and also private concurrently (as parents), they rate BW higher than the private.

At university I knew quite a few BW boys; they are a tight knit community, so we did the same party scene and wedding scene for a while. Nice chaps, all middle class/some really v posh. All have done well for themselves.

We joke that we would move closer to Salisbury at the right time for our children’s education. I would seriously consider it!

Original poster

TessApricot · 19/02/2021 20:22

@kitnkaboodle

It is rather cramped but has a nice old bit and lawn tucked away. How far do you live btw? Our DS had an hour's bus ride in each day at early o'clock, and I don't think that did a lot for his stress levels 😔

A 20 minute walk - it’s the nearest school to us which is definitely a plus. I can’t imagine such a big commute!

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Original poster

TessApricot · 19/02/2021 20:25

@Flamingolingo that is incredibly positive and good to hear! My DS is academically strong and generally straightforward so I think it could be a really good place for him. There’s also always the option of a different sixth form if it’s too pressurised.

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kitnkaboodle · 19/02/2021 21:24

@TessApricot in that case I'd go for it, as long as your DS won't mind it being all boys and an old fashioned ethos. You're lucky to have it on your doorstep. We are near Devizes and a good few local boys go there for sixth form (girls now too I guess) every year. It's not unheard of for the odd one to go at 11 too. Your post has made me think how hard it must be for Y6 parents not having open days. We are at the other end - no uni open days for us.

Swww · 14/04/2021 15:02

Hello everyone.
I am thinking of applying for this school for my Ds from devizes area. He is preparing for 11+ but has not seen or has any idea of the school . So just thinking of giving it a chance.

We are not from a Catholic background either . Is it very strongly religious ?
Did you have to take familiarisation tests from the school. Did that help. ?
It's positive to know about Dauntseys. Will
Consider.
Please let me know your experiences.

Swww · 21/04/2021 14:42

@TessApricot
Hello everyone.
I am thinking of applying for this school for my Ds from devizes area. He is preparing for 11+ but has not seen or has any idea of the school . So just thinking of giving it a chance.

We are not from a Catholic background either . Is it very strongly religious ?
Did you have to take familiarisation tests from the school. Did that help. ?
It's positive to know about Dauntseys. Will
Consider.
Please let me know your experiences.

hollypocks · 21/04/2021 18:42

It’s a CoE school not Catholic, assembly, prayers and a chaplain.
Not sure what you mean about familiarisation tests, could you please explain? It’s a long journey each day from Devizes

Swww · 21/04/2021 19:18

Hollypocks. THankyou for replying.
Yes it is a long way from Devizes. I am not sure if my DD will get in but he's bright enough to give it a go as his school teachers say. We are not in catchment anyway.
About familrisation tests . It says in the website that children can join them. Was just curious to know what it covers. I am guessing children from prep school will have more opportunities.

hollypocks · 21/04/2021 22:03

I think they may be referring a kind of mock 11+ to get the boys more acquainted to exam conditions. It’s a great school, turns out well rounded young men in my opinion! Sure that there is an element of prep school children being well prepared but plenty of state school students also pass. Good luck to your son!

LimitIsUp · 21/04/2021 22:09

My year 12 ds has been attending since year 7. Its been good for him, he is bright but lazy and has benefitted from the hard work ethic.

Whilst they work them hard, they are also supportive of the pupils and genuinely seem to care.

HunkyPunk · 21/04/2021 23:18

Have had 3 ds go through the school from yr 7 to 6th form. They would all say they're glad they went. It is a school which carries a certain amount of prestige and prides itself on excellent results, but is not, in my experience, particularly 'high pressure'. Wide range of backgrounds and denominations. Religion certainly isn't pushed, beyond the usual assembly.

None of my ds were especially studious, but they all did well there. If your ds passes the 11+, he'll be fine. Students do come from fairly far afield, say half an hour by train, but I've never heard of any from Devizes. How would your ds travel?

As far as the familiarisation classes are concerned, it's not necessary to do them as long as your ds is doing some sort of preparation to get him used to the types of questions he will come across in the exam. It's a course which is run as an alternative to private tuition and doesn't include a mock 11+ test. However if they resume it this year (post-Covid) then it would be a good way for your ds to have a look at the school, and get a feel for it. Good luck!

Swww · 22/04/2021 06:50

THankyou all. Thats all very reassuring.
Well we are going to give it a shot . Or he will be going to out local Lavington school.
From here it's about 36 min. But we will consider moving if he get through.
That was part of the plan. THankyou all again x

Tenpintonpin · 22/04/2021 07:06

@Swww

THankyou all. Thats all very reassuring. Well we are going to give it a shot . Or he will be going to out local Lavington school. From here it's about 36 min. But we will consider moving if he get through. That was part of the plan. THankyou all again x

I understood that the entrance exam was graded pass/fail and then places were offered to all those who passed, ranked in order of proximity to the school, rather than highest score. So you would ideally need to move closer to school before offers made, iyswim? I might be wrong though... can any current parents confirm how it works?

Swww · 22/04/2021 08:58

THankyou tenpintonpin
Yes . That will be good to know. At leaset prepare to fail if not pass.
In Thier website they do say travel under an hour. Hence I am trying. .
I do have a older disabled child at home and change means a great deal to us along with finance. Hence I said .I will definitely consider moving if my younger DD gets a chance. I am not that lucky .. I know .but I guess luck only comes when you take a chance and work for it. But I wonder if I could write to school that if he passed and got a place in Thier school we would move because of our circumstances.

oigetoffmycheese · 22/04/2021 21:10

@Tenpintonpin - it is currently as you say. You pass/fail and then those that pass get offered a place according to the criteria.
Military
Looked after
Sibling
Church going
Proximity

All relevant. Not necessarily in that order. The website should have the policy for 2022 entrance. In fact they've just opened the list to register for the exam (in sept 2021) if keen.

Mine love it and so do I as a parent. We have never had any issues with BWS at all

Swww · 22/04/2021 21:18

Aah Thank you all
I shall hope for the best and leave it at that.
I am not in anywhere falling of the above categories.xx THankyou all .

Original poster

TessApricot · 22/04/2021 21:23

We have accepted the place at Bishops so my son will be going in September. Thanks for all your replies and good luck @Swww .

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Swww · 22/04/2021 21:32

I have just filled in the form .. all the best to you all and TessApricot.