pioneering educational work, and in 1936 became a public school. During the Second World War, pupils from the Priory School in Portsmouth moved to BWS to avoid the bombing of the city. In 1948 the governors accepted voluntary controlled status, which meant being funded by Wiltshire County Council as local education authority and accepting its supervision. Boarding at the school in the Bishopgate buildings ended in the 1950s, and the buildings were used for teaching thereafter. The school now educates boys aged 11 to 18 in years 7-13 and girls aged 16–18 in years 12-13. In 2002, a major redevelopment of the school's site and buildings commenced. A new classroom block and drama studio were followed by an extensive sports hall and physical education facilities, and a sixth form block was finished in July 2010. The old sports hall was converted to house the art department, and the design technology block has been expanded. In 2011 a new cookery room was completed with the reception moved from The Close to Exeter Street and in 2017 the new Maths Block was completed. In 2004 the school was awarded its first specialism in languages. In 2008 the school achieved an additional specialism in science. As part of its specialist work the school has supported all of the city primary schools in Salisbury in languages, and many with science too. The school converted to single academy status in 2011. It has five houses, named after bishops of Salisbury: Poore, Osmund, Jewell, Martival and Ward. In 2016 the school was criticised for asking parents for money towards their sons' exam costs. One Bishop Wordsworth’s School parent said the school was not private and should not be "money grabbing". Headmaster Stuart Smallwood defended the school saying it did not receive enough government funding and that the payments were entirely optional. In October 2021, it was reported that Wiltshire Police had investigated drugs activity among a small number of pupils. The previous month, a 14-year-old boy had been arrested on suspicion of being involved in the supply of Class A drugs. Entrance Entry to the school is regulated by the 11-plus. Applicants sit the test in year 6, at the age of 10 or 11. The exams are held in September at the school itself. There are also limited twelve plus and thirteen plus admissions, similarly by examination. Sixth form admission is administered by the head