of sixth form, and is granted on the basis of GCSE results. Pupils must achieve more than 48 points (including 5 in maths and English) in their GCSEs to continue their studies in sixth form, as well as a relatively high grade in the options they propose to take. Notable staff Sir William Golding, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, was a schoolmaster teaching philosophy and English in 1939, then English and religious education from 1945 to 1962. Lord of the Flies was Golding's first book, written in 1954, and it is widely believed that its main characters were based on Golding's students. Golding also regularly sang with Bishop Wordsworth's School choir. He was known affectionately as "Scruff" by the pupils due to his sometimes unkempt hair and beard and his carefree dress sense. After Golding's death in 1993, the school choir sang at his memorial service in Salisbury Cathedral. In March 2005 a plaque was placed at the school to commemorate Golding's time as a teacher. Headmaster Happold was also noted for the foundation of the "Company of Honour and Service". Kenelm Foster wrote: "[the company is] a sort of modernist Grail (for Boys) or Solidarity which Dr Happold founded in 1935 at Bishop Wordsworth's School, Salisbury. This is his nucleus, his 'order', his new aristocracy, which is to permeate England: a little cohort of leaders, of seers, of doers." (Cited in Happold, 1964, pp. 33). Alan Harwood was a notable organ scholar and taught music at Bishop Wordsworth's School. After Harwood's death in 2003, composer Sam Hanson (organist/director of music at St Peter's Church, Bournemouth, formerly organ scholar at Jesus College, Cambridge), dedicated a requiem to him. Former headmaster Clive Barnett (who left the school in 2002) is patron of the charity EdUKaid, a role he shares with Glenys Kinnock. In 2009 a retired teacher who was being investigated for indecent assault killed himself by inhaling helium. Nicholas Bray was found dead at his home by police officers on 12 June 2009 after failing to attend an appointment at Salisbury Police Station. He had been arrested in 2007 for an assault dating back several years and was also being investigated for possessing indecent images. Headmasters 1890–1928: Reuben Bracher 1928–1960: Frederick Crossfield Happold 1960–1964: Ernest Ethrin Sabben-Clare 1964–1974: Robert Cabot Rowsell Blackledge 1974–1992: Glyn Evans 1992–2002: Clive Barnett 2002–present: Stuart Smallwood Notable alumni The "Old Wordsworthian" AGM and