Senior School Admissions

SENIOR SCHOOL 
Admission is by assessment during the Autumn Term for entry the following September. This includes entry into the Senior School by members of the Prep School. Most girls enter the Senior School at 11+, although some places may be available at later stages particularly for 13+ boarders and places for the Sixth Form. Means-tested bursaries, up to full fee awards, are available at 11+ or Sixth Form entry.  

An 11+ Taster Morning is provided in the Autumn term prior to entry and is a valuable opportunity for girls to see whether St Catherine’s is the right school for them.

Girls sit 11+ Entrance Assessments in Mathematics, English, Science and Verbal Reasoning, and these are devised by St Catherine’s, based on the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum content.  At 13+, tests are taken in Verbal Reasoning, English and Mathematics at the appropriate level.

SIXTH FORM
We welcome a number of new girls - day and boarding - into the Sixth Form each year. Assessment is by examination and interview.  At registration girls nominate their likely choice of subjects for Sixth Form study and on the Assessment Day will sit three subject specific tests, each of approximately 30 minutes duration, plus an online general paper lasting 90 minutes which gives an indication of IQ and academic potential.  Successful candidates are interviewed in person or by Zoom by subject teachers and senior staff.  Girls should have a minimum of six GCSEs at Grade 6 and above, including Maths and English.  Grade 7 is preferable in subjects chosen for A Level study.

A confidential report from the girl’s previous Headteacher will always be requested and used as part of the selection procedure.  The report requests information about each girl’s academic performance and potential, any specific learning difficulties, how best to manage any disability, and curricular and extra-curricular interests. 

Applicants with a disability will be assessed on their academic performance as outlined above.  Parents of applicants with a disability should make this clear on the application form so that the School can make every reasonable effort to adapt its admissions procedures to accommodate the applicant on the Assessment Day.  Any parent of an applicant who has a disability is also asked to let the School know so that proper access can be arranged for pre-admission school visits/information mailings, and subsequently for school events, should the applicant be successful in the entrance tests.

Main points of entry are: 11+ (Year 7), 13+ (Year 9) and Sixth Form. Places occasionally arise outside these year groups. 

• Applicants will be considered as candidates for admission to the school once the Registration Form (online form above) has been completed and returned, along with the non-refundable registration fee, currently £150 (£250 for overseas students).
• An Acceptance Deposit of £1,000( Day Pupil), £2,000 (Boarder in the UK), a term’s fees (for overseas’ boarders) is payable when parents return the Acceptance Form to the School. It is refunded (less any outstanding charges) when the pupil leaves, or is credited if a full term’s fee in lieu of notice is paid.
• For further details, please contact the relevant Registrar.