Introduction
Bishop Wordsworth’s School, often shortened to BWS, is an all boys’ grammar school for students aged 11 to 18. Located in Salisbury, Wiltshire, the school was founded in 1889.
In recent years, the school has undergone several redevelopments, which have seen the addition of a new classroom block, a drama studio, sports hall, PE facilities, a new sixth form block and a cookery room. The school was granted academy status in 2011 and has been awarded specialisms in Languages and Science.
BWS’ top-notch facilities and committed staff create a supportive and stimulating environment that inspires pupils to achieve their full potential. By emphasizing character, leadership, and a sense of responsibility, Bishop Wordsworth’s School aims to equip its students with the skills they need to become successful and contributing members of society.
Bishop’s is consistently identified as one of the top-performing schools for exam results in England with an especially strong performance in the English Baccalaureate.
Bishop Wordsworth’s School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Information 2026
Address: Exeter Street, Salisbury, SP1 2ED
County: Wiltshire
Admissions info: cms@bws.wilts.sch.uk, 01722 333851
School type: Boys’ Grammar
Number of pupils: 884 (approx.)
Number of places in Year 7: 160
Open Day dates: April, June
Exam date: September 2026
Pass mark: Aim for 80%+ in our practice tests. See below for more details.
Exam type / Board: GL Assessment
Bishop Wordsworth’s School 11 Plus (11+) Admissions
Bishop’s is a selective grammar school and sets its own admission requirements. Students who live within a reasonable travelling distance are eligible to apply for entry to the school. For more information on the school’s designated area, please click here.
In order to gain entry to Bishop’s, all boys must take an entrance examination. Admission is based on students attaining the desired grading in the selection process for the relevant year of entry. The entrance test is used to show that pupils have the appropriate academic ability for the school.
If more students pass the 11 Plus exam than there are places available, the school then uses its oversubscription criteria, and the waiting list process begins. You can view the school’s exact location on the map below:
How to Apply for 11 Plus (11+) Entry to Bishop Wordsworth’s School
In order to apply for 11 Plus entry to BWS, parents need to complete the online registration form. This also provides the school with evidence of the application for its oversubscription criteria. The application form is made available on the school website from May.
Any forms received after July will be considered late registrations and given second priority to registrations made on time. Boys who are registered late will sit the 11 Plus exam around November.
Bishop Wordsworth’s School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Format
Bishop Wordsworth’s School uses GL Assessment tests for entry to Year 7. Scores are age-standardised to ensure that no student has an advantage based on his age.
The Bishop’s 11 Plus exam consists of two papers that cover the following subject areas:
- Verbal Skills (consisting of English and Verbal Reasoning tests)
- Mathematics and Non-Verbal Reasoning (including Spatial Reasoning)
Each paper has its own timed sections and students are required to record their answers on a separate answer sheet.
Bishop Wordsworth’s School Catchment Area
Does Bishop Wordsworth’s School have a catchment area?
Yes, there is a catchment area with priority based on location and distance from the school.
How to Prepare for the Bishop Wordsworth’s School 11 Plus (11+) Exam?
The best approach to studying for the 11 Plus is to start early. The sooner your child starts revising, the more time they’ll have to focus on any areas that need improving. To begin with, it’s a good idea to create a study timetable with your child to ensure that they cover all the material they’ll need to know.
At Exam Papers Plus, we’re big advocates of using practice exam papers as a way of identifying your child’s strengths and weaknesses. By introducing practice papers early, you’ll be able to adjust the focus of your child’s studying to make sure they’re concentrating on their weak areas.
As their studying progresses, you can re-introduce the practice papers to monitor your child’s progress. Not only do exam practice papers help identify your child’s strengths and weaknesses, but they also help familiarise students with the format of the 11 Plus exam.
As exam day approaches, try doing timed practice papers with your child to help improve their time management skills and get them used to answering questions to a deadline.
Bishop Wordsworth’s School 11 Plus (11+) Exam Pass Marks and Target Scores
Pupils who are able to score 80%+ consistently in our 11+ practice tests should be on track to pass this exam.
Whilst there are no guarantees, this is a fairly strong indicator that your child should do well in the Bishop Wordsworth’s 11+ exam. Please click here to learn more.
Bishop Wordsworth’s 11 Plus (11+) Practice Exam Papers
The following 11 plus practice papers cover everything your child needs to know to pass the Bishop Wordsworth’s School 11+ Exam.
The Bishop Wordsworth’s School Pre-11+ Practice Tests are designed for Year 4 and 5 students to introduce the exam format and boost their confidence. These tests are less challenging than the Bishop Wordsworth’s School 11+ Exam. They offer an accurate yet more straightforward representation of the actual exam, allowing students to familiarise themselves with exam specifics. This approach provides a solid foundation for students to progress to more challenging 11+ Practice Tests.
Practice Papers
The following practice tests are specifically designed to help your child prepare for Bishop Wordsworth’s School 11 Plus Test. They provide excellent mock exam preparation, covering every aspect of the actual exam.
Practice Papers
The following 11+ resources provide effective preparation for the Verbal Skills section of the Bishop Wordsworth’s School Test, maximising your child’s English skills.
Practice Papers
Video Masterclasses
10 Minutes Test
Video Masterclasses
For further preparation for the Verbal Skills section of the Bishop Wordsworth’s School Test with focus on Verbal Reasoning, we highly recommend the following resources.
Practice Papers
10 Minutes Test
Video Masterclasses
Practice Papers
Video Masterclasses
Video Masterclasses
The following resources will help boost your child’s Non-Verbal (NVR) and Spatial Reasoning (SR) abilities ahead of the Bishop Wordsworth’s School Test.
Practice Papers
Video Masterclasses
Bishop Wordsworth’s School 11+ Exam Non-Verbal & Spatial Reasoning Bundle
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Video Masterclasses
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Our practice tests aim to show what sort of questions have been included in Bishop Wordsworth’s School 11+ past papers. The information provided about Bishop Wordsworth’s School is believed to be correct at the time of publishing. However, please be aware of future changes. We advise you to contact the school directly if you are unsure of anything. School contact details are provided within the article.
Please note that Exam Papers Plus is an independent publisher of practice tests and resources, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Bishop Wordsworth’s School.