BISHOP Wordsworth's School (BWS) is to start admitting girls to its sixth form from September 2020.

This will see a change to the current arrangements the school has with South Wilts Grammar School. 

In a letter to parents headmaster Dr Stuart Smallwood said: "We firmly believe that admitting girls to our sixth form will enhance our lessons and learning, and that girls who join BWS will continue to excel academically, as they always have under the guidance of my staff.

"Above all we will aim to provide that holy grail in education - an academically challenging environment which is also rich in co-curricular opportunities for the young men and women in our care."

The main reasons for the proposed change was because there was an "unbalance" in favour of BWS with the current collaboration between the school and South Wilts Grammar School and the change would "avoid the complexity" of operating across two schools.

The school said it would also give "more flexibility" with terms dates, timetabling and the length of the school day and there was also evidence from other schools that had done this that the change "improves the academic and social ethos".

The statement to parents also said: "We feel that the current position, where some important subjects have been 'lost to BWS post-16 is not healthy for a school of this size and status - but equally there seems little prospect of A Level French and German being viable in the longer term without girls on roll.

"We also feel that the opportunity for girls to study in the sixth form environment that we offer will be different to what can be found at the other providers in the local area."

Dr Smallwood said the admission of girls "will not be at the expense of boys", adding: "We believe that what we will offer will be distinctive and different to anything that is currently part of the local education landscape.

"My hope is that students across the local area will benefit and that our coeducational provision will grow with the projected demographic expansion over the next five years or so, so that we complement existing provision."

The decision has been made in principle but will be subject to a statutory consultation.

South Wilts head teacher Michele Chilcott said: "SWGS was surprised and disappointed with the timing and decision taken by BWS to move away from over 20 years of collaboration post 16, where both schools have seen the benefits of the collaboration, with a broad curriculum being offered for the community of Salisbury. The school however, sees this as an opportunity to consider what is the future direction for SWGS."

The school says for September 2019-20 it will offer the same subjects currently offered to students.

"We have taken this decision, to remove any uncertainties and meet with our strategy of providing a wide curriculum choice for our students," added Mrs Chilcott. 

"South Wilts Grammar School for Girls is a thriving and vibrant place for young people to study; we look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to develop and deliver exceptional education in a great and supportive learning environment."

The governing body of SWGS will now be considering whether to become a coeducational sixth form provider from September 2020. A decision will be made in November as to whether SWGS will consult formerly on the proposal.