12 Mar 2025

St Swithun’s prep win regional netball title

The all-girls squad went unbeaten throughout the whole tournament at King Edwards VI School despite some close games, and claimed a 7-4 victory in a hard-fought final against KES Prep School.

This win secures their place in the forthcoming IAPS National Finals where they will play against the top 20 schools in the country.

Competing against 15 schools from across the South East of England, Chloe E, Hennie E, Lizzie GB, Willow J, Arabella M, Dominique V and captain, Eva H, showed fantastic teamwork and are thrilled to now have the opportunity to compete at national level.

Team captain, Eva, commented, "Although we were nervous going into the tournament, we were also quietly confident as we have put a lot of work into developing our play and have even been practising every break time. We were really proud to be unbeaten in all of our games, especially the game against Newland House which was the toughest. We learnt a lot as a team throughout the tournament and are really looking forward to seeing how far we can push ourselves against new opposition at the Nationals. We are really excited!"

Head of St Swithun’s Prep School, Liz Norris said, "We couldn’t be prouder of our prep netball squad for their dedication and perseverance on the netball courts to become regional champions. Not only have they accomplished something incredible for themselves, but as year 6 girls they are an inspiration to the younger pupils in our school. I wish them the best of luck for Nationals!"

The whole St Swithun’s community is incredibly proud of the squad’s achievement, and looks forward to supporting them as they now train for nationals on 19 March at Bryanston School.

Find out more about what makes St Swithun’s Prep School so special at our upcoming open afternoon on 16 May at 1:30pm. Book your place here.

Match list

Portsmouth Grammar School - Won 7-0

Twyford School - Won 6-5

Headington Rye Oxford Prep School - Won 11-1

Talbot Heath Junior School - Won 7-0

Embley Prep School - Won 12-0

King Edward VI Preparatory School - Won 5-4

Finished top of our Pool and progressed through to the Cup competition.

Cup Quarter Final

Cheam School - Won 8-3

Cup Semi Final

Newland House - Won 4-3

Cup Final

King Edward VI Preparatory School - Won 7-4

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04 Feb 2025

St Swithun’s Sixth-form Students Celebrate Oxbridge Offers

For the fourth year in a row, over 10% of UCAS applicants from the current upper sixth and class of 2024 have received Oxbridge offers, a school achievement not matched for at least 20 years.

Students are now hoping to take up their places on a range of courses including maths, English, natural sciences, archaeology, earth sciences, Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic and experimental psychology.

Offers have also been received by St Swithun’s A level students to study courses at other leading UK and international universities including Bath, Bristol, Durham, Edinburgh, Exeter, Imperial College, King’s College, Leeds, St Andrews, UCL, Warwick and York.

St Swithun’s headmistress Jane Gandee said, "This is a significant achievement, especially in an increasingly competitive field. Our students and teachers should be rightly proud of these offers after working hard on intellectual risk-taking and challenging assumptions.

“We are passionate about providing the opportunity for girls to thrive after they leave St Swithun’s, whatever direction they choose to go in.”

Head of sixth form Nick Fyfe added, “I am delighted for our current year, for those potentially heading to Oxbridge or elsewhere. Our innovative academic enrichment programme gives our students the opportunity to engage and participate in academic research, enter a myriad of academic competitions, develop critical and creative thinking, and build intellectual confidence.

“Our careers programme also supports students to secure work internships at prestigious employers and arrange work placements.”

About St Swithun’s School

St Swithun's School in Winchester is a renowned independent day, weekly and full-boarding school for girls. Founded in 1884, it promotes quirky fun whilst providing modern academic, sporting, creative and recreational opportunities to prepare young women for the 21st century.

The St Swithun’s vision is a world where its young women see possibilities, not barriers. Its purpose is to turn wide-eyed little girls into courageous young women; and its belief is that it’s not just about learning lessons, but learning who we are without fear of failure, censure, or outdated attitudes about what young women can aspire to.

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28 Jan 2025

St Swithun’s ranked as one of the best sporting schools in the country

Alongside this accolade, the school was ranked as the top school for sport in Hampshire and 4th out of all girls' schools across the country.

School Sport magazine ranks the top 200 best schools for sport including both state and independent schools. The rankings take into account results in more than 20 different sports and more than 120 different events.

In addition to the elite success, the magazine features a piece by head of physical wellbeing, Asha Riley, focusing on the importance of getting girls active and emphasising the school's commitment to providing opportunities for girls across the school community to benefit from physical activity.

Asha works across the senior school to reduce the barriers that often prevent girls from taking part in sport and physical activity while extolling the benefits, both physical and mental, of exercising.

Jane Gandee, headmistress at St Swithun’s School, said, “We are very proud of our sporting accomplishments, both in terms of our elite athletes and the work we do to help our entire school community be active.

“Women’s sport is riding the crest of a wave and we are passionate about providing a world-class sporting provision alongside our continued reputation for academic excellence and pastoral care.”

Director of sport Jon Riley added, “We are continuing to expand our sporting offer to provide even more sporting opportunity to our pupils. Alongside our strong traditional offerings around lacrosse, netball, tennis and athletics we are thrilled to see the recent success of cricket at the school while golf and badminton are two areas that we are excited to grow.”

Find out more about what makes St Swithun’s a world class girls’ school offering a complete education by visiting us. Find out more at www.swithuns.com.

About St Swithun’s School

St Swithun's School in Winchester is a renowned independent day, weekly and full-boarding school for girls. Founded in 1884, it promotes quirky fun whilst providing modern academic, sporting, creative and recreational opportunities to prepare young women for the 21st century.

The St Swithun’s vision is a world where its young women see possibilities, not barriers. Its purpose is to turn wide-eyed little girls into courageous young women; and its belief is that it’s not just about learning lessons, but learning who we are without fear of failure, censure or outdated attitudes about what young women can aspire to.

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