St Helen’s School

Overview of St Helen’s School and 11 Plus information

St Helen’s School – Overview

St Helen’s School aims to provide an academically selective education for girls that will stimulate and build their enjoyment of learning, intellectual curiosity and independence, develop their integrity, tolerance and respect for others, and enhance their skills, confidence and enthusiasm to play full roles in the local, national and international communities of which they are part. The school is a charity governed by its trustees.

Founded in 1899 to serve the needs of the outer London community in which it is located, St Helen’s is an independent girls’ school of more than 1100 pupils aged from 3 to 18. It occupies a 20-acre site at Northwood, in north-west London.  Girls in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) are housed in a dedicated building with its own outdoor playground.

The school consists or three sections, senior school for girls aged from 11 – 18, junior school for girls aged from 7 to 11 and Little St Helen’s for girls aged between 3 and 7.

Entry to the school is selective. Standardised tests taken on entry to the senior school indicate that the ability of the pupils is above the national average, with the majority of pupils demonstrating abilities which are above or far above the national average.  The ability profile of pupils in the sixth form is also above the national average.

Most pupils come from the local area, although many older girls use the school buses, which serve a wide area in the north and west of London and into the surrounding counties. Pupils come from a variety of economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, reflecting the school’s London location.

For help understanding how to prepare for Independent School 11 Plus Exams go to our relevant page