2026
St Swithun's School students achieved 94% A*-B at A-level, the highest non-pandemic figure since 2013, and 44% Grade 9 at GCSE, a 7% increase on the previous year.
All-through school
St Swithun's School
St Swithun's School is an independent boarding and day school for girls aged 4 to 18 in Winchester, Hampshire, with a co-educational nursery and preschool.
Day fees
£34,210
Entry
Iseb Pretest + School ExamSelective
Updatedsource
At a glance
Key facts
Head
Jane Gandee
Headteacher, since 2010
Gender
Girls
Becoming co-ed
Pupils
667
Location
Winchester
Suburban setting
Day or boarding
Day and boarding
Age range
2 to 18
Religious ethos
Church of England
Founded
1884
Entry points
13+
School day
8.20am to 4.20pm
Scholarships
Academic, Other, Drama +3
A-level A*–A
77%
2025
Show 1 more factShow fewer facts
GCSE 9–7
76%
2025
Overview
About St Swithun's School
##
St Swithun's School, located in Winchester, Hampshire, was established in 1884 by Anna Bramston with the aim of providing an education that developed the full capacity of every girl and enabled her to become a woman of independent thought. () The school is set on a 45-acre campus overlooking the Hampshire countryside, offering day, weekly, and full boarding options for girls aged 3 to 18. ()
Academically, St Swithun's is known for its rigorous approach. In 2025, 34% of A-Level grades were A*, with 72% graded A*/A, and 37% of GCSE grades were Grade 9. The school is ranked as the 2nd best UK girls' boarding school for A-Level results and the 2nd best in Hampshire for combined A-Level and GCSE results. ()
Extracurricular activities are integral to student life, with a wide range of co-curricular options available. The school emphasizes the development of resilient, enquiring, optimistic, and collaborative young women. ()
Houseroom EditorialOur take
Houseroom Editorial
Our take
Independent girls senior school for ages 11–18, day or boarding. Top-tier fees.
Best for
- Families seeking a senior school for ages 11–18, with thinking already on 11+ or 13+ entry.
- Parents who want a single-sex environment for their daughter.
- Families weighing day vs boarding — both are offered.
- Families comfortable with top-tier independent fees in exchange for the level of provision.
Watch-outs
- Fees sit at the top of the independent market. Factor in extras (uniform, trips, lunches, music tuition) before committing.
- SEND provision isn't documented in our profile. If your child has an EHCP or specific learning needs, ask admissions about case-by-case capacity before applying.
- Single-sex (girls). Comfortable for some children, less so for others — worth a visit on a normal teaching day rather than only an open-day showcase.
- Location detail is sparse in our profile — verify postcode and tube/rail link before counting on commute time.
AdmissionsApplication timeline
Admissions
Application timeline
- Oct9Open dayNextPrep School Open Afternoon
Not yet published: registration opens, registration closes, bursary deadline, assessment, interview, offers, acceptance deadline.
UpcomingOpen events
Upcoming
Open events
Fees & costFees
Fees & cost
Fees
£34,210per year · Day · 2026-27
Inc. VAT £34,210VAT TBC7 years: £270,701
vs London avg (£24,000)43% above
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Questions about St Swithun's School?
Ask the school
Quick answers about St Swithun's School
Answered only from St Swithun's School's verified details on Houseroom, with sources. For anything else, ask admissions.
Financial supportBursaries & Scholarships
Financial support
Bursaries & Scholarships
Beyond the classroomActivities & co-curricular
Beyond the classroom
Activities & co-curricular
sport
GolfArcheryKarateFencingAthletics
music
Three choirsFive rock bandsThree orchestrasInstrument ensembles
academic club
BiologyMathsChemistryLinguisticsDebating
service
Various community service opportunities
other
Enterprise Club with national competition participationAcademic Enrichment Programme
On campusFacilities
On campus
Facilities
sports
Swimming poolGolf facilitiesFitness suite
arts
Music practice rooms
boarding
Hyde Abbey senior boarding houseFinlay house for Upper Sixth boarders and day girlsHillcroft senior boarding houseLe Roy dormitory with small rooms and communal livingHigh House senior boarding houseEarlsdown senior boarding house
OutcomesLatest exam results
Outcomes
Latest exam results
77%
A-level A*–A
76%
GCSE 9–7
DestinationsWhere leavers go
Destinations
Where leavers go
3%
to Oxbridge (2025)
7%
to Russell Group
| 2025 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cohort | 76 | — |
| Oxbridge | 2 | 9 |
| Russell Group | 5 | — |
| US Ivy | 0 | 0 |
Top universities (2025)
University of OxfordUniversity of CambridgeUCLLSEImperial College London
CurriculumQualifications offered
Curriculum
Qualifications offered
GCSEA Level
In the newsRecent coverage
In the news
Recent coverage
AlumniNotable alumni
Alumni
Notable alumni
Dame Penelope Lively (author)Sally Bercow (political activist)Sophie Ellis-Bextor (singer)
Recommended next step
Open days are booking now
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Fit for your child
Is St Swithun's School right for your child?
Score it on travel, academics, support and budget.
Check fit for my childCommunityHouse system
Community
House system
Le RoyHillcroftEarlsdownHyde AbbeyHigh HouseFinlay
RegulationInspection
Regulation
Inspection
ISI inspection, 1 Mar 2024
Met
CalendarTerm dates 2026/27
Calendar
Term dates 2026/27
Autumn7 Sept 2026 → 16 Dec 2026Half-term 19 Oct 2026–30 Oct 2026
Spring5 Jan 2027 → 24 Mar 2027Half-term 15 Feb 2027–19 Feb 2027
Summer19 Apr 2027 → 8 Jul 2027Half-term 31 May 2027–4 Jun 2027
FAQQuestions parents ask
FAQ
Questions parents ask
What kind of child is St Swithun's School best for?+
St Swithun's School suits: Families seeking a senior school for ages 11–18, with thinking already on 11+ or 13+ entry; Parents who want a single-sex environment for their daughter; Families weighing day vs boarding — both are offered; Families comfortable with top-tier independent fees in exchange for the level of provision.
How much are the fees at St Swithun's School?+
Day fees at St Swithun's School are £11,403 a term in 2026-27 (£34,210 a year). Boarding fees are £19,272 a term in 2026-27 (£57,816 a year). Extras such as lunches, uniform and trips are on top.
When is the next open day at St Swithun's School?+
The next open day at St Swithun's School is on 9 October 2026. Booking is usually required.
How does admissions work?+
We don't hold full admissions details for St Swithun's School. Ask the school directly.
Does St Swithun's School support SEND?+
We don't hold SEND details for St Swithun's School. Ask admissions early if your child has additional needs.
What ages does St Swithun's School take?+
St Swithun's School takes pupils from age 2 to 18.
Is St Swithun's School a day or boarding school?+
St Swithun's School offers both day and boarding places.
Is St Swithun's School co-educational or single-sex?+
St Swithun's School is a girls' school.
Where is St Swithun's School?+
St Swithun's School is in Winchester, SO21 1HA.
How do I contact admissions at St Swithun's School?+
Contact St Swithun's School by email at registrar@stswithuns.com or phone on 01962835700.
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