All students at The Bishop of Winchester Academy benefit from high academic standards and our philosophy of ‘high expectations – no excuses’. This is demonstrated clearly by Ofsted’s recognition that staff ‘have high expectations of pupils’ (Ofsted, 2023). This applies to the unique capabilities that high ability students have and the challenges they face. These challenges could include:

• Access to information regarding scholarly career paths
• Development of confidence in oracy and rhetoric
• Opportunities to develop a well-rounded nature through extracurricular interests
• Local grammar schools offering only single-sex learning environments

The Grammar Stream at The Bishop of Winchester Academy provides a challenging curriculum and outstanding facilities within a co-educational setting. We prepare students for life after school and support them to develop the social and communication skills they will need to form effective relationships in the workplace and their social lives.

Students in the Grammar Stream are prepared specifically with the knowledge and skills to go on to university studies, equipped with the expertise required to succeed in higher education. It is expected that Grammar Stream students would achieve outstanding GCSE and A-Level results and move on to universities including those in the Russell Group and Oxbridge. Mary Curnock Cook, CEO of UCAS has stated that ‘all schools should introduce a ‘grammar stream’ because bright students need the right education for them right now’.

The Grammar Stream will, in addition to the high quality of education provided to all students, offer the following tailored experience and opportunities:

• Development of metacognition study skills such as research, oracy, and academic writing skills
• Aspirational careers advice
• Direction in setting concrete goals and aspirations and support in university applications
• Guidance to overcome academic barriers
• Support in recognising and developing the specific skills and personal attributes they require to be successful in their chosen careers

Students in the Grammar Stream are encouraged to arrange their own work experience outside of school hours: a practice that is supported by the Academy. Continued work experience is vital to ensure that students are able to access places at top universities and are prepared for the world of work.