Francis Holland School- Sloane Square

Overview of Francis Holland School and 11 Plus information

Francis Holland School – Overview

Francis Holland School, Sloane Square, is one of two girls’ day schools in London that share the same name and are jointly administered and governed by a charitable trust. It was founded in 1881 as a Church of England school and now educates girls aged four to eighteen.  It took up residence on its present site in Graham Terrace, Westminster in 1984.  The acquisition of adjacent premises resulted in significant improvements in space for teaching and extra-curricular activities.

The school aims to provide a challenging and stimulating curriculum that encourages an enthusiasm for learning and intellectual curiosity and creativity. It seeks to value the individual and to encourage independence, motivation and self-confidence.  The school sets out to promote respect for others and the development of a responsible attitude towards citizenship.  It aims to support the personal, moral and spiritual development within a Christian context, and to develop skills of leadership, flexibility and adaptability.

Entry to the school is by selective assessment, usually at the ages of four and eleven. Approximately a third of the junior school girls transfer to the senior school at the age of eleven; the remainder move either to boarding schools or to other day schools in London.  Almost all pupils in the junior school are of at least above average ability. And over a quarter have an ability that is far above average.  The ability profile of the senior school is above the national average, with very few pupils having an ability that is below average.

Pupils come primarily from families with professional and business backgrounds, and are from a variety of religious denominations and nationalities. The catchment area is relatively wide, and pupils travel to school from various parts of London.  About a fifth of pupils leave each year after completing GCSE examinations; the remainder continue for A-level courses and are joined by a small number of girls who transfer from other schools.  Nearly all sixth-form pupils proceed to higher education, some after a GAP Year.

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