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 £150 paid (£250 for students resident overseas).

• The closing date for registrations for 2025 entry is Monday 23 September 2024 (prospective students in Year 8)
• The closing date for registrations for 2026 entry is Friday 7 February 2025 (prospective students in Year 7)

Earlier registration is always encouraged.

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, the taster day will take place on Friday 28 February 2025. Interviews with the Headmistress will take place in the week following the entrance assessment, w/c 10 March 2025, by invitation.

For candidates applying for Year 9 places during Year 8, the taster afternoon will take place after the assessment morning on Friday 27 September 2024. Interviews with the Headmistress or a member of the School leadership team will take place during the taster afternoon.

The taster day or afternoon 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.

For registered Year 8 candidates applying for entry in 2025, the assessment morning will take place on Friday 27 September 2024. They will write papers in English and mathematics, each lasting one hour and 15 minutes. 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 7 candidates applying for entry in 2026, the assessment morning will take place on Monday 3 March 2025. They will write papers in English and mathematics, each lasting one hour and 15 minutes. 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 candidates applying during Year 8, parents will be notified of the outcome of their daughter’s application within a week of the entrance assessment.

For candidates applying during Year 7, the first notification will advise whether their daughter has been selected to return for interview w/c Monday 10 March 2025. Places will be offered within a week of interview. An offer holders’ event will also be held in May of Year 7.

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.

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