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 7+ in Year 3 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 7 (Year 3), age 8 (Year 4), 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.
Showing steps for:
St Helen and St Katharine Prep, Years 3 and 4
1. Visit the School
Your first visit to St Helen’s could ideally be on our whole school Open Day or another open event at least one year prior to entry.
St Helen and St Katharine Prep Open Doors events
In June, we welcome you and your daughter to this event where you can learn more about the ethos and structure of SHSK Prep and its integral place within the school community. You will have a tour of key parts of the school campus, an opportunity to hear from both the Head, Sarah Rollings, and the Joint Heads of Section – SHSK Prep, and, most importantly, the Prep classrooms will have ‘open doors’ for you to observe our current students in typical classroom activities.
Throughout the year there are further opportunities to come and learn more at our SHSK Prep Head’s Breakfasts. At these small informal open events there will be a presentation by the Head, Sarah Rollings, and one of our Joint Heads of Section – SHSK Prep, followed by a Q&A session. You will also enjoy a tour of the school campus and its facilities.
Invitations to our open events will be sent to all registered candidates and those on our enquiry lists.
Book your place below:
2. Registration
Candidates should ideally be registered no later than two weeks before the chosen assessment date, although late applications will be considered wherever possible. Please do get in touch with the Admissions team.
A registration form should be completed online and the registration fee of £180 paid (£300 for students living overseas).
Once your daughter is fully registered you will automatically receive details about the admissions process at the appropriate time.
3. Assessments
We want to get to know each individual girl, understand her passions and strengths, and see how she approaches learning.
Candidates will complete short tests in Mathematics and English alongside a practical task and interview with one of our SHSK Prep teachers.
A reference will also be requested from her current school.
Various assessment session dates are offered throughout the year preceding entry, and parents may select the one most suitable for their daughter.
4. Offers and accepting a place
Following the assessment session, places will be offered based on performance in the tests and interview and the reference from your daughter’s current school. Parents will be notified of the outcome of the assessment within two weeks.
5. Welcome to SHSK Prep
After accepting a place, our new SHSK Prep joiners are invited into school on two occasions; the first in June when they come for an induction afternoon with team activities to start getting to know the other girls in the form group and their new form tutor; the second in September on ‘intake afternoon’ – a re-familiarisation session on the day before the beginning of term.
Contact Admissions
Jane Herold, Director of Admissions
01235 530593
admissions@shsk.org.uk
