A FOUNDATION FOR LIFE
Since 1725 we have sought to offer the best possible education, instilling confidence, integrity and excellence to enable every child in our care to become their best self.
We continue to support our students to flourish in the context of the wider world, meet the demands for a first-class educational experience, and support our young people to leave equipped for a bright future.
We champion the individual, encouraging every student so that they can embrace the challenges of a fast-moving world with curiosity, ambition, and generosity. To hear more about the school from our Head, Ms Debbie Picton, follow the link below
The School, which has a long, pioneering tradition of adapting to the changing educational landscape, was founded in 1725 by merchant Sir William Perkins as a School for ’25 poor boys’. Eleven years later, girls were also admitted for ‘free education and clothing.’ In 1944, SWPS became one of the first voluntary-aided girls’ grammar schools in the country and by 1978 it had broken away from local authority control to become a fully independent educational foundation. We are becoming fully co-educational, with boys joining Year 7 and Year 12 from September 2026 and a phased transition to all year groups by 2030. Find out more about the next exciting phase in our long history here.
Find out why we are shortlisted for The Independant School of the Year award for Environmental Achievement, by clicking the link below.
Sustainability is embedded into our whole school community and is a high priority. Find out why we are shortlisted for The Independant School of the Year award for Environment Achievement, by clicking the link below.
The only way to really find out all about Sir William Perkins's School is to visit us.
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