Bishop Wordsworth’s School is a selective boys' grammar school, with responsibility for setting its own testing and admission requirements. Entry into Years 7-11 during the Academic Year is possible only when spaces are available and is contingent upon achieving a qualifying standard in the late entry assessment.

Please see here for the School's Admissions Policy. Full information regarding the in-year admissions process can be found in the information leaflet below.

All admissions queries should be directed to admissions@bishopwordsworths.org.uk

Late Entry Examinations

The late entry examinations procedure is designed to determine, by examination, whether boys who are already of secondary school age have the academic requirements for admission to a grammar school. Parents should note that achieving the qualifying standard for entry to the school is not a guarantee of an offer of a place. 

Late entry examinations are only held when a place is available but may be held at any point in the academic year. Applicants will be invited to attend the examination once the  application process (below) has been completed.

The late entry examinations differ by year group but always examine pupils on their English and Maths ability and Science for Year 10. Details of the examinations will be provided after application.

Late entry examination applications for September 2026 entry are now open and close on Thursday 30 April. Exams will be held at the school on Wednesday 6 May.

 

 

Application Process

Applicants must complete two forms:

1. Bishop Wordsworth’s School Application. Applications must be made using the school's online application form.  A link to the form will be provided here when applications are open. At other times, please contact admissions@bishopwordsworths.org.uk
    
2. Local Authority Application. Irrespective of where the applicant is resident, they must obtain the Wiltshire Council Secondary Application Form (SAF) from County Hall at Trowbridge or apply online.

Waiting List

All applicants who have achieved the qualifying standard for the entrance exam will be ranked according to the oversubscription criteria in Annex D of the Admissions Policy.

An applicant who has achieved the qualifying standard and applied for a place at the school, but who, under the oversubscription criteria, falls outside the planned admission number for the relevant year group will be put on the waiting list. Boys will be placed on the waiting list in their relevant position irrespective of the time of application. Therefore, a boy’s position on the waiting list will fall if subsequent additions to the waiting list take higher priority. Parents will be contacted regarding any change in the boy’s position on the waiting list.

Should no place be offered within the academic year, applicants who would still like to be considered for a place must apply to sit the exam for entry into the following academic year. This does not affect the right of appeal.

The waiting list is valid until 30 April. 

Late entry examination applications for September 2026 entry are now open and close on Thursday 30 April. Exams will be held at the school on Wednesday 6 May.

 

 

Places Available

Last updated: 16/04/2026

2025-2026	Admission Number	Actual Number	Places available	Number on Waiting List
Year 7 from Sept 2025	160	158	2	0
Year 8 from Sept 2025	160	159	1	0
Year 9 from Sept 2025	160	160	0	9
Year 10 from Sept 2025	160	159	1	0

Year 11 Admissions are only considered for exceptional circumstances due to the disruption to established learning.