Bishop John Wordsworth: Generosity, Vision and Faith. 

Bishop Wordsworth’s School was founded on and funded through generosity, vision and faith. Its founder, Bishop John Wordsworth, conceived the idea for the school, chose and bought the site, and paid for the building. His vision was  

"I should like to see Salisbury a great educational centre. 
I should like to found a school which shall be equal to the 
greatest and best of our public schools."

His commitment went well beyond funding the school. A friend of his remembered: 

“it was the first place he went on arriving at home, 
and he thought all his visitors would like to see it too”. 

John Wordsworth had been an Oxford Professor and was a highly able academic. He had a heart for social justice rooted in his Christian faith that every person is made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27). He was a man committed to opening up education at a time when it was beyond the reach of most. This remains the legacy that the school lives out today.  

The ethos of Bishop Wordsworth’s School 

John Wordsworth wrote prayers for the school which are still used. He also chose the school motto, Veritas in Caritate himself, taking it from Ephesians 4: 

“speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knitted together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love” 

From those prayers and this passage, Bishop’s takes its ethos statement  

“For this we stand. 
To search for truth. 
To live in love. 
To grow together”. 

As a Church school, Bishop Wordsworth’s School is proud of its Christian ethos. It is the quiet heartbeat that pumps the relationships between staff, parents and students and sets the expectations of behaviour and respect.  It is seen most obviously in the rhythm of collective worship, the school’s relationship with Salisbury Cathedral, and its support of many diverse charities.  

Bishop Wordsworth’s School values every person as made in the image and likeness of God and promotes a generous and open Christian ethos. All are welcome, wherever they are, or are not, with faith. The school is rightly proud of its diverse student and staff body and the richness that diversity brings to dialogue and learning. Occasions such as Culture Day encourage students to be proud of their faith and heritage and to share it with the school community.  The school’s full-time ordained Anglican Chaplain, Revd Canon Dr Stella Wood describes the Christian ethos as one where the school enables all to flourish, discover more of what they believe and explore who they are called to be. 

The relationship with Salisbury Cathedral 

Bishop Wordsworth’s School has a unique status as a State School which sits within a Cathedral Close. Visible from almost every part of the school site, the Cathedral is the backdrop to everything that is done in school. In summer months, peregrine falcons nesting on the Cathedral Spire swoop over the school site and the chicks can be clearly heard from the classrooms.  

Each of the school Houses are named after Bishops of Salisbury and in Year 7 students have a Cathedral tour, finding the monuments for each. They also have the opportunity to climb the Cathedral Spire and look down on the school from it. A service in the Cathedral welcomes new Year 7s and, as they prepare for A Level examinations, a Leaver’s Service says farewell to Year 13s, book-ending their time at the school. Students who wish to be Confirmed are prepared at school and the service takes place in the Cathedral 

The School has two Year 13 Cathedral prefects who are part of the Head Boy and Girl team. They liaise closely with the Cathedral staff. In turn, a Governor is also appointed from the Cathedral Canons, representing generous support from the Cathedral staff. By long tradition, the school holds 8 services a year in the Cathedral, including Founder’s Day, a candlelit Carol Service and a whole school Eucharist. Prizegiving also takes place in the Cathedral. All students and staff attend these services and care is taken to make them warm, accessible and a chance for all to reflect on key life themes. 

Collective worship 

Collective worship grows and changes at Bishop Wordsworth’s to reflect the growth and change of students.  

In Years 7-8 students have one collective a week in the school Chapel which holds three form groups. This may be led by the Chaplain, members of staff, Senior students or form groups. It begins with a hymn and ends with the opportunity to pray and say the Lord’s Prayer together. This is a smaller, more intimate space than the Cathedral which enables students to adapt to life at Secondary School with age-appropriate reflections. 

In Years 9-10 students move to fortnightly whole Year Group collective worship in St. Osmund’s Church, the school’s neighbour and friend on Exeter Street. Following the same structure, but off site, these times enable students to think more deeply about their own beliefs within a beautiful and quiet place of worship. 

In Years 11-13, students move again, this time to the Cathedral Quire for collective worship entitled Cathedral Reflections. Once a half-term, these Reflections probe contemporary issues and student experience through the lens of faith. The same pattern of singing together and an opportunity to pray is offered. Some students choose to volunteer at the Cathedral in the Sixth Form. Many choose to return to the Cathedral after they have left. Cathedral Reflections offers a bridge for those who would like to do this to continue their relationship with faith and the Cathedral.  

In addition, students attend a Year 7-11 assembly on Wednesday led by a member of the Senior Leadership Team, framed once more by a hymn and a time to reflect or pray. A ‘breathing space’ visual stimulus is provided each week for Tutor time, offering a daily opportunity for reflection. 

Lunchtime activities in the Chapel 

The school has active, student led Junior and Senior Christian Unions, supported by the Chaplain and members of staff. These meet in the school Chapel at lunchtimes. Students eat together, pray and explore passages from the Bible in a warm, relaxed and welcoming environment. 

A weekly Eucharist is held in the Chapel for Sixth Form and staff, led by the Chaplain or priests from the Cathedral.