How to apply

St Helen and St Katharine is an academically selective day school for girls. We welcome applications at various entry points from aged 9+ in Year 5 up to 16+ in Sixth Form, and from all educational backgrounds.

Most students join the School at age 11 (Year 7). Our other main entry points are age 9 (Year 5), age 10 (Year 6), age 13 (Year 9) or age 16 (Year 12/Lower Sixth). Admission at other entry points (for example Year 8 and Year 10) is possible depending on spaces being available. Please do get in touch with the Admissions team at admissions@shsk.org.uk with your enquiry.

Admissions information details for our main entry points are available by clicking on the relevant entry point below.

1. Visit the School

Your first visit to St Helen’s should ideally be on our whole School Open Day or another open event ideally two years prior to entry.

 

Go to the ‘Visit us’ section of our website to find the most suitable event for you.

Book an open event

2. Registration

Candidates should be registered by the appropriate deadline, although late applications may be considered. A registration form should be completed online and the registration fee of £150 paid (£250 for students resident overseas).

 

 

The closing date for registrations for 2024 entry is Friday 10 November 2023, however, earlier registration is recommended.

 

Once your daughter is fully registered you will automatically receive details of the admissions process at the appropriate time.

Register your daughter

3. Taster day and interview

Registered candidates are required to attend a taster day at St Helen’s as part of the entrance assessment process. Taster days take place in the autumn term of Year 6, throughout October, November and December. A choice of dates will be given to candidates following registration.

 

The day will take the form of a normal school day and will include lessons in known and new subjects. There will also be an opportunity to meet students already at St Helen’s and the Headmistress will meet candidates individually throughout the day. The afternoon will end with candidates breaking into small groups for an informal discussion with a senior member of staff.

4. Entrance assessment

The entrance assessment is normally taken in January of the academic year in which the student turns 11 years old (eg Year 6). Under- or over-age students may be considered at the discretion of the Headmistress. No special preparation is necessary.

 

The entrance assessment for entry in 2024 will take place on Saturday 13 January 2024.

 

The entrance assessments comprise a one-hour paper in mathematics and a paper of one hour and fifteen minutes in English, which incorporates a reading comprehension and a creative writing task (see entry requirements for further details).

 

Each element of the assessment process together with a confidential headteacher’s reference will be taken into account by the Headmistress in order to determine suitability for a place at St Helen’s.

 

Diagnostic assessment – parents who are unsure whether their daughter is performing to the standard required for entry in Year 7 may wish to take advantage of the opportunity to take a diagnostic assessment. This assessment is separate from the entrance examination and takes place at the same time as the assessment for entry into Year 5 and Year 6. Students taking the diagnostic assessment will still need to sit the entrance examination for the required year of entry in January with all registered candidates.

5. Offers and accepting a place

Parents will be notified of the outcome of their daughter’s application within ten days of the entrance assessment. At this stage, if parents or students remain uncertain of their decision, they are welcome to contact the Admissions office for further information or to arrange another visit to St Helen’s. Parents are asked to accept the place as early as possible as there could be implications for those on the waiting list.

6. Welcome to St Helen's

After accepting a place, students are invited to the School on two occasions; the first in June when they attend an induction day with team activities to get to know their form group and form tutor; the second in September on ‘intake afternoon’ the day before the beginning of term.

 

For more detailed information about the assessments and admissions process for this entry point, please refer to the relevant pages of the booklet below.

Admissions information booklet

Contact Admissions

Jane Herold, Registrar

01235 530593

admissions@shsk.org.uk

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