Frequently Asked Questions

Entry is sometimes possible throughout the School; however, the usual entry points are Year 3, Year 5, Year 7 and Year 12.

Yes, private tours can be arranged; please contact our Admissions Manager at admissions@stcatherineschool.co.uk. You may also wish to book onto one of our Open Events.

Yes, please contact our Admissions Manager at admissions@stcatherineschool.co.uk for more information.

Yes, it is possible to arrange a phone conversation or meeting with the Headmistress; however, many parents first attend an open event. If you are not able to do so, or have a special question to ask, please contact our Admissions Manager at admissions@stcatherineschool.co.uk.

Girls in Prep are taught French; Year 6 girls also have Spanish lessons.
Year 7 and 8 learn French and Spanish and in Year 9, 10 and 11 one or two languages, depending on ability and interest.

​Parents seeking admission for Prep should complete the registration form and return it to our Admissions Manager at admissions@stcatherineschool.co.uk with a cheque, or make a bank transfer, for the registration fee. They will then be invited to meet the Head of Prep, who will show them around the department, and the Headmistress, for an interview.

For entry into Years 3 through to Year 6, applicants will be invited to sit age-appropriate assessments in Maths and English.

Bursary applications can be made for Senior School places (Years 7-12); bursaries are reviewed annually. To find out more information about Bursaries and the application process please contact the Assistant Bursar, at bursaries@stcatherineschool.co.uk.

We are proud to offer a values-based education to girls of all faiths and to welcome all pupils into a Christian community that focuses on friendship and belonging. The faith life of the school is built around these principles and helps girls to consider deeper values and to grow in self-worth, compassion and service of others.

Yes, our community is a very welcoming and friendly one. Approximately 40% of the girls are Catholics, with girls from other Christian denominations making up a little less than that. We are also pleased to have girls from other faiths, who enrich our school community, and all girls join together in school events, and are encouraged to appreciate the different faiths and family backgrounds of their friends.

St Catherine’s has excellent onsite facilities for the girls from Prep to Sixth Form. Our facilities include an indoor Swimming Pool, large playing fields and Sixth Form Centre.

Our wrap around care begins with our very popular breakfast club held daily in the dining room from 7.30am. A hot and nutritious breakfast is available for all pupils of Prep and Senior School.

Our After School Club runs Monday to Thursday day from 3.30pm to 6.00pm and on a Friday from 3.30pm to 5.00pm. After School Club is for all girls from Year 3 to Year 6. The girls are supervised by qualified, experienced staff and enjoy a variety of creative activities in a safe, calm and caring environment.

Homework supervision is provided for our older pupils.

We have a wide range of sporting, creative and performance activities. Our activities vary over the year and there are options for every year group.

Year 7 is our main entry point to the Senior School. Once you have applied (November deadline each year), an interview with the Head is arranged which takes place in the Autumn Term, and then examinations in late November or early December 2026.

Year 6 girls complete two papers: English and Maths.

Saturday 28 November 2026.

Year 7 is usually formed of three classes, each with approximately 20 girls. Offers for September 2027 will be made in February 2027, following applications, interviews and examinations.

Yes – this is a very important part of the process (and the Head’s favourite part); it is an opportunity for a conversation and for the Head to answer any questions. It is a relaxed process and does not include any assessment.

The Head (and the whole process) places great emphasis on the whole child. For this reason, the interview with parents and with the prospective pupil, is very important, as is the reference and most recent school report. Data from the Entrance Examinations is also used; however, we are aware that girls are coming from many different schools and therefore subjects may have been covered in a variety of ways.

We are proud to offer the following scholarship opportunities:

Prep Scholarships (Years 5–6) Academic, Creative Arts, Performing Arts, and Sport.

Year 7 Academic, Art, Drama, Music, and Sport.

Sixth Form Scholarships Academic, Art, Drama, Music, and Sport.

The Siena Scholarship Our all-rounder scholarship awarded to a deserving pupil in Years 10–13.

For more information, please see the Scholarships Page.