How to apply

Your first visit to St Helen’s should ideally be on our whole School Open Day or another open event at least 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

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 £180 paid (£300 for students resident overseas).

• The closing date for registrations for 2027 entry is Friday 9 October 2026 (prospective students in Year 8)
• The closing date for registrations for 2028 entry is Friday 9 October 2026 (prospective students in Year 7)
• The closing date for registrations for 2029 entry is Friday 30 October 2026 (prospective students in Year 6)

If you have missed any of the above deadlines, please do get in touch with the Admissions team as it may still be possible to register your daughter for entry.

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

Register your daughter

Registered candidates are required to attend a taster day at St Helen’s as part of the entrance assessment process.

For candidates applying for Year 9 places during Year 7 and Year 8, the taster day will take place on Friday 16 October.

For candidates applying for Year 9 places during Year 6, the taster day will take place on Friday 8 January 2027.

The taster day or afternoon will take the form of a normal school day and will include lessons in known and new subjects. All candidates will also have a short interview with the Head or a member of the Senior Leadership Team. There will also be an opportunity to meet students already at St Helen’s.

For registered Year 7 and Year 8 candidates applying for entry in 2027 or 2028, the assessment morning will take place on Friday 6 November 2026. The entrance assessments comprise a series of online assessments in English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, Non‑Verbal Reasoning, Puzzles and Problem‑Solving, and Creative Comprehension, alongside short written papers in Mathematics and English. A reference will be requested directly from a candidate’s current school before the assessment date. Parents should notify the school that a request will be coming.

For registered Year 6 candidates applying for entry in 2029, the assessment day will take place on Saturday 16 January 2027. The entrance assessments comprise a series of online assessments in English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, Non‑Verbal Reasoning, Puzzles and Problem‑Solving, and Creative Comprehension, alongside short written papers in Mathematics and English. No prior preparation is required for these tests. A reference will be requested directly from a candidate’s current school before the assessment date. Parents should notify the school that a request will be coming.

To find further information about the online assessments as well as some familiarisation exercises, please click here.

Additional details about the process for your daughter’s year of entry to Year 9 can be found on the relevant sheet below:

Year 9 2027 Admissions information sheet

Year 9 2028 Admissions information sheet

Year 9 2029 Admissions information sheet

For candidates applying during Year 6, Year 7 and Year 8, parents will be notified of the outcome of their daughter’s application within a week of the entrance assessment.

Parents are asked to accept the place as early as possible as there could be implications for those on the waiting list.

After accepting a place, students are invited to the School on two occasions; the first in June of Year 8 when they will have a chance to meet Year 9 staff and other Year 9 joiners and students who will be in their form in September; and the second in September on ‘intake afternoon’ the day before the beginning of term.