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  • Independent school for girls

St Helen's School, Northwood: entry, tests, dates and fees

Eastbury Road, Northwood HA6 3AS

Facts checked 19 October 2026By ExamKind Editorial TeamSchool website

Can we apply, and when?

For September 2027 entry

  • Registration closes, 11+ entry

    Fri 6 Nov

    Friday 6 November 2026, for September 2027 entry

    Checked, source: St Helen's School, checked

  • Places

    Not published

  • Fees at 11+, day

    £9,759a term

    2026-27 school year, including VAT

    Checked, source: St Helen's School, checked

Your next steps for 11+ entry

  1. Next: Registration closes for 11+ entry

    in about 2 weeks

  2. Coming up: Scholarship applications close

    in about 4 weeks

    Only if you are applying for a scholarship

  3. Coming up: Bursary applications close

    in about 5 weeks

    Only if you are applying for help with fees

St Helen's School sets its own tests and decides after them and the interviews. We have not found a published pass mark, so we do not show one.

How entry works

How entry works

Ways in, and how children are assessed

St Helen's School takes new pupils at 4+, 7+, 11+ and 16+. Each way in has its own tests and dates.

  • 11+ entryjoins Year 7

    How children are assessed: an interview, a reference from the current school and london consortium test.

    Registration closes: Friday 6 November 2026 (for September 2027 entry)

Other ways in: 4+, 7+ and 16+Places, tests and registration for each

  • 4+ entryjoins Reception

    How children are assessed: a reference from the current school and a play-based observation.

    Registration closes: Friday 6 November 2026 (for September 2027 entry)

  • 7+ entryjoins Year 3

    How children are assessed: an interview, a reference from the current school and other tasks set by the school.

    Registration closes: Friday 6 November 2026 (for September 2027 entry)

  • 16+ entryjoins Sixth Form

    How children are assessed: an interview, a reference from the current school, GCSE grade requirements and own subject papers.

    Registration closes: Thursday 15 October 2026 (for September 2027 entry)

Source: St Helen's School, checked

More about entry from our guide

St Helen's has a Prep School and a Senior School, which includes the Sixth Form, on one site on Eastbury Road. Girls can also start in the Nursery, which this page does not cover in detail. The school's website is at sthelens.london. On the Consortium's list of schools, it appears as St Helen's School London.

Most routes share a registration deadline, 6 November 2026St Helen's School: Registration deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: 11+ Registration deadline Friday 6 November 2026View the official source. The Sixth Form is the exception. Its first-round deadline is earlier, on 15 October 2026St Helen's School: Registration deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: First Registration deadline Thursday 15 October 2026View the official source, so families of Year 11 girls should act now.

11+ (Year 7St Helen's School: JoinsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: We are an academically selective school, and we welcome girls into Nursery (3+) and Reception (4+), Year 7 (11+) and Sixth Form (16+).View the official source)

Year 7 applicants for September 2027 entrySt Helen's School: Current cycleChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: The London 11+ Admissions process for entry in September 2027 will involve a bespoke Consortium assessment process, for all Consortium schools, which goes beyond testing cognitive ability alone and seeks to discover a child’s potential in creative and critical thinking, analysis, synthesis and problem-solving.View the official source go through:

  • London 11+ Consortium testSt Helen's School: London consortium testChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Year 7 entry is via the London 11+ Consortium, with applicants sitting a single online assessment that can be taken at St Helen’s, another Consortium school, or their current school where available.View the official source
  • interviewSt Helen's School: InterviewChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: No, we interview all girls regardless of their results in order to gain a holistic view of the candidate.View the official source
  • reference from the current schoolSt Helen's School: ReferenceChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Yes, this will be requested from the school directly by the Admissions team and the information is taken into consideration as part of the application process.View the official source

About the Consortium test. St Helen's is a member of the London 11+ Consortium, a group of London schools that run one admissions test between them. You register with each school you like, but your daughter sits the test only once. At St Helen's, she can take it here, at another member school, or at her own school where that is possible. The test is online. St Helen's says the test looks beyond raw ability, at a child's potential in creative and critical thinking, analysis and problem solving. Scores are age-standardised. That means each girl's result is adjusted for her age, so a girl born late in the school year is not at a disadvantage. The test runs on 27 November 2026, 1 December 2026 and 3 December 2026St Helen's School: Assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: 11+ Examination dates Friday 27 November 2026 Tuesday 1 December 2026 Thursday 3 December 2026View the official source, and a girl sits on one of those days.

Interviews for everyone. St Helen's interviews every applicant, not only those with high scores. It says this gives a rounded view of each girl. Interviews are on 6 January 2027St Helen's School: Interview date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: 11+ Interviews Wednesday 6 January 2027View the official source.

The reference. You do not need to send a school report yourself. The admissions team asks your daughter's current school for a reference from the current schoolSt Helen's School: ReferenceChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Yes, this will be requested from the school directly by the Admissions team and the information is taken into consideration as part of the application process.View the official source directly, and it forms part of the decision.

Offers are sent on 12 February 2027St Helen's School: Offer date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: 11+ Offers notified Friday 12 February 2027View the official source. The deadline to accept is noon on 3 March 2027St Helen's School: Acceptance deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: 11+ Acceptance deadline Wednesday 3 March 2027 (12 noon)View the official source.

Scholarships at Year 7. There are scholarships at 11+St Helen's School: 11 plusChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Scholarships are available for pupils applying to join the School in Year 7 (11+) and Year 12 (16+).View the official source in academic work, art, drama, music, sport and chess. The academic award can be worth up to 40%St Helen's School: Max percentChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Academic scholarships, worth up to a maximum of 40% of tuition fees, are based on academic ability and are not related to family financial circumstances.View the official source of tuition and does not depend on family income. The other awards are worth less. Applications close on 20 November 2026St Helen's School: Scholarship deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: 11+ Scholarship deadline Friday 20 November 2026View the official source. Shortlisted girls then attend a separate day for each subject, on 11 January 2027, 12 January 2027, 13 January 2027, 14 January 2027 and 15 January 2027St Helen's School: Scholarship assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: 11+ Art Scholarship assessment day (for shortlisted candidates) Monday 11 January 2027 11+ Chess Scholarship assessment/interview day (for shortlisted candidates) Tuesday 12 January 2027 11+ Drama Scholarship assessment day (for shortlisted candidates) Wednesday 13 January 2027 11+ Music Scholarship assessment day (for shortlisted candidates) Thursday 14 January 2027 11+ Sport Scholarship assessment day (for shortlisted candidates) Friday 15 January 2027View the official source. In order, these are art, chess, drama, music and sport.

4+ (ReceptionSt Helen's School: JoinsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: We are an academically selective school, and we welcome girls into Nursery (3+) and Reception (4+), Year 7 (11+) and Sixth Form (16+).View the official source)

To join Reception in September, a girl must have turned four by the end of the August before. The school describes its early years assessment as a play-based assessmentSt Helen's School: Play observationChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Our Early Years assessments (3+ and 4+) are gentle, play-based and observational, designed to help each child feel happy and confident, with no preparation required.View the official source: gentle, observed by teachers, and needing no preparation. Each session lasts about an hour. Scores take each girl's date of birth into account. The school may also ask for a reference from the current schoolSt Helen's School: ReferenceChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: These are observed by our teaching staff and sessions last one hour. A reference and/or school report is requested from current school if relevant.View the official source or nursery report.

Register by 6 November 2026St Helen's School: Registration deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Registration deadline Friday 6 November 2026View the official source. Sessions run on 7 January 2027 and 8 January 2027St Helen's School: Assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Nursery and Reception Assessments Thursday 7 January 2027 Friday 8 January 2027View the official source, offers follow on 22 January 2027St Helen's School: Offer date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Offers Notified Friday 22 January 2027View the official source, and families accept by 3 February 2027St Helen's School: Acceptance deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Acceptance Deadline Wednesday 3 February 2027View the official source.

7+ (Year 3St Helen's School: JoinsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Girls wishing to join our Year 3 should be 7 by 31st August in the year of entry (i.e. for September 2027 entry, girls must be 7 by 31st August 2027).View the official source)

Year 3 entry is selective. It is based on:

  • online tasks, plus teachers watching how girls work
  • interviewSt Helen's School: InterviewChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Entry to Year 3 is selective as a result of online assessments, observation and informal interview which will take place in the following January.View the official source, kept informal
  • reference from the current schoolSt Helen's School: ReferenceChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: A reference and/ or school report is requested from the current school.View the official source or school report

The school does not name the online assessment, so ask the admissions team what it covers. Registration closes on 6 November 2026St Helen's School: Registration deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Registration deadline Friday 6 November 2026View the official source. The assessment is on 6 January 2027St Helen's School: Assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Assessments Wednesday 6 January 2027View the official source, and offers come on 22 January 2027St Helen's School: Offer date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Offers notified Friday 22 January 2027View the official source.

16+ (Sixth FormSt Helen's School: JoinsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: We are an academically selective school, and we welcome girls into Nursery (3+) and Reception (4+), Year 7 (11+) and Sixth Form (16+).View the official source)

St Helen's runs Sixth Form entry in two rounds, and students choose one. The first round is under way now. The second round runs later in the school year, with its own dates on the school's website. The process has these parts:

  • subject papers set by the schoolSt Helen's School: Own subject papersChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Applicants are invited to sit exam papers for the subjects they wish to study in the Sixth Form, and each paper will consist of thirty minutes duration.View the official source
  • interviewSt Helen's School: InterviewChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: No, our Director of Sixth Form will interview all girls regardless of their results in order to gain a holistic view of the candidate.View the official source
  • reference from the current schoolSt Helen's School: ReferenceChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Yes, this will be requested from the school directly by the Admissions team and the information is taken into consideration as part of the application process.View the official source
  • GCSE grade requirementsSt Helen's School: Gcse requirementsChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: You will need a minimum of seven GCSEs graded 9-6 to be taken in one sitting and which include:View the official source

Each student sits a short paper in every subject she wants to study. Art, drama, PE, languages and music include some practical work. The Director of Sixth Form interviews every applicant, whatever her paper results. In the first round, the papers and interviews are on the same day, 4 November 2026St Helen's School: Assessment date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Entrance exam & interviews Wednesday 4 November 2026View the official source. Offers follow on 2 December 2026St Helen's School: Offer date (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Offers Notified Wednesday 2 December 2026View the official source, with a reply due by 14 December 2026St Helen's School: Acceptance deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Acceptance deadline Monday 14 December 2026View the official source.

Offers depend on GCSE results: a set number of GCSEs at grades 9 to 6, sat in one go and including English Language and maths, plus higher grades in some subjects. Sixth Form scholarships include advanced maths and languages awards.

Key dates

11+ dates for September 2027 entry

St Helen's School

  1. Next: Registration closes for 11+ entry

    in about 2 weeks

  2. Coming up: Scholarship applications close

    in about 4 weeks

    Only if you are applying for a scholarship

  3. Coming up: Bursary applications close

    in about 5 weeks

    Only if you are applying for help with fees

  4. Coming up: Entrance tests

  5. Coming up: Interviews

  6. Coming up: Scholarship assessments

    Only if you are applying for a scholarship

  7. Coming up: Offers sent

  8. Coming up: Accept or decline an offer by

    in about 19 weeks

Dates for the other ways in4+, 7+ and 16+

4+ entry, September 2027

  1. Next: Registration closes for 4+ entry

    in about 2 weeks

  2. Coming up: Entrance tests

  3. Coming up: Offers sent

  4. Coming up: Accept or decline an offer by

    in about 15 weeks

7+ entry, September 2027

  1. Next: Registration closes for 7+ entry

    in about 2 weeks

  2. Coming up: Entrance tests

  3. Coming up: Offers sent

  4. Coming up: Accept or decline an offer by

    in about 15 weeks

16+ entry, September 2027

  1. Done: Registration closes for 16+ entry

  2. Next: Bursary applications close

    in 10 days

    Only if you are applying for help with fees

  3. Coming up: Scholarship applications close

    in 10 days

    Only if you are applying for a scholarship

  4. Coming up: Entrance tests

  5. Coming up: Offers sent

  6. Coming up: Accept or decline an offer by

    in about 8 weeks

A year younger? 11+ dates for September 2028 entrySome are not published yet; we show what the school has said.

  1. Not published yet: Registration closes for 11+ entry

    Not yet published, checked 10 Oct 2026

  2. Not published yet: Entrance tests

    Not yet published, checked 10 Oct 2026

  3. Not published yet: Offers sent

    Not yet published, checked 10 Oct 2026

At a glance

St Helen's School in brief

tap a value for its source

Ages
3 to 18AgesChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Explore the admissions process at St Helen's School, where girls aged 3-18 are empowered to achieve and thrive.View the official source
The ages the school teaches, from youngest to oldest.
Day or boarding
day school
Whether pupils go home each day or can live at the school.
Scholarships
6 kinds
Awards for a talent, such as academic work, music or sport.
Ways in
4+, 7+, 11+, 16+
The ages at which the school takes new pupils (4+, 11+ and so on).
Help with fees
Yes, up to 100%
Bursaries reduce fees for families on lower incomes, after a check of income and savings.
Registration fee
£180including VAT
Paid to the school when you register your child for its tests.

Fees

From £9,759 a term, including VAT
4+ entry, day
£7,369 a term, including VAT
7+ entry, day
£7,779 a term, including VAT
11+ entry, day
£9,759 a term, including VAT
16+ entry, day
£9,759 a term, including VAT

Fees for the 2026-27 school year, as the school publishes them. We never add or remove VAT.

fees shown include VAT

Registration fee: £180 (including VAT).

Deposit when you accept a day place: £4,880.

Source: St Helen's School, checked

StageTuition per term, 2026-27St Helen's School: Academic yearChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: 2026/27 FeesView the official source
Prep School, Reception to Year 2 (4+)£7,369 per term, including VATSt Helen's School: DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Prep School – Years Reception, Years 1 & 2 £7,369View the official source
Prep School, Years 3 to 6 (7+)£7,779 per term, including VATSt Helen's School: DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Prep School – Years 3 – 6 £7,779View the official source
Senior School, from Year 7 (11+)£9,759 per term, including VATSt Helen's School: DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Tuition Fees Per Term Senior School £9,759View the official source
Sixth Form (16+)£9,759 per term, including VATSt Helen's School: DayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Tuition Fees Per Term Senior School £9,759View the official source

St Helen's says that fees shown include VATSt Helen's School: Vat treatmentChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: All termly tuition charges apart from the Nursery tuition charges (which are exempt) are inclusive of VAT.View the official source. Nursery fees are the one exception, as they are exempt from VAT. The Sixth Form pays the Senior School rate. These are the school's figures for 2026-27St Helen's School: Academic yearChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: 2026/27 FeesView the official source, and they change each year. Lunch is compulsory and charged on top.

Registering costs £180, including VATSt Helen's School: Registration feeChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: UK students & Overseas students £180 (incl. VAT)View the official source. To accept a Senior School place, you pay a deposit of £4,880St Helen's School: Deposit dayChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Acceptance Deposit Senior School £4,880View the official source. Prep School deposits are lower; the school's fees page lists them.

Bursaries and scholarships

Bursaries up to 100% of fees
Bursaries (help with fees)
Available, up to 100% of the fees. They depend on a check of household income and savings. Income guide: £100,000 Total family annual income (the school's guide figure).
Scholarships
For academic, art, drama, music, other and sport, at 11+ and 16+ entry, worth up to 40% of the fees.

Source: St Helen's School, checked

  • Bursaries: means-tested bursaries availableSt Helen's School: AvailableChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Bursaries are awarded on entrance to St Helen’s at 11+ and 16+ and are awarded and reviewed annually to reflect any changes in financial circumstances.View the official source, at 11+ and 16+
  • Largest bursary: 100%St Helen's School: Max percentChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Awards range from 10% to 100% remission of school fees, depending on your family’s financial circumstances.View the official source of fees
  • Income guide: £100,000 (Total family annual income, guide)St Helen's School: Income thresholdChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Total family annual income over £100,000View the official source
  • 11+ bursary deadline: 27 November 2026St Helen's School: Bursary deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Bursary application deadline Friday 27 November 2026View the official source
  • 16+ bursary deadline (first round): 30 October 2026St Helen's School: Bursary deadline (2027)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Bursary application deadline Friday 30 October 2026View the official source

St Helen's says families with total income above its guide figure would not usually receive a bursary. Awards depend on a family's finances and are reviewed every year, so they can change if circumstances do. Our bursaries guide explains the usual checks.

Scholarship types are:

  • academic scholarshipsSt Helen's School: AcademicChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Academic scholarships, worth up to a maximum of 40% of tuition fees, are based on academic ability and are not related to family financial circumstances.View the official source
  • art scholarshipsSt Helen's School: ArtChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: The Art Scholarship offers up to a 30% reduction in tuition fees and recognises excellence across various art forms.View the official source
  • drama scholarshipsSt Helen's School: DramaChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: The Year 7 Drama Scholarship offers up to a 30% reduction in tuition fees and provides various opportunities, such as participating in the Middle School play, attending Drama trips, leading and engaging in co-curricular Drama activities, and acting as a Drama ambassador in the school community.View the official source
  • music scholarshipsSt Helen's School: MusicChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: The Music Scholarship, offering up to a 30% tuition fee reduction, is awarded to academically able and accomplished musicians.View the official source
  • sport scholarshipsSt Helen's School: SportChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: The Sports Scholarship offers up to a 30% reduction in tuition fees and is awarded to candidates who demonstrate both sporting achievement and potential, particularly in sports offered at St Helen’s, such as netball, swimming, tennis, and more.View the official source
  • other scholarshipsSt Helen's School: OtherChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: The Chess Scholarship offers up to a 30% reduction in tuition fees, in addition to experiences and opportunities that stretch their ability further, such as access to the Thursday Chess Club and coaching sessions, half-termly 1:1 masterclass with a Grandmaster and participation to tournaments.View the official source: chess at 11+; advanced maths and languages in the Sixth Form

Scholarships are open to girls joining in Year 7 (scholarships at 11+St Helen's School: 11 plusChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Scholarships are available for pupils applying to join the School in Year 7 (11+) and Year 12 (16+).View the official source) and Year 12 (scholarships at 16+St Helen's School: 16 plusChecked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: Scholarships are available for pupils applying to join the School in Year 7 (11+) and Year 12 (16+).View the official source). They reward ability, not need. A family can apply for a bursary too.

Open days

Next: Stay and Play – Theme: Animals, Tue 3 Nov 2026

  1. Done: Stay and Play – Theme: Autumn Adventures (passed)

    9.30am – 10.30am, booking needed

  2. Coming up: Stay and Play – Theme: Animals

    9.30am – 10.30am, booking needed

  3. Coming up: School in Action Open Morning

    9.00am to 11.00am, booking needed

  4. Coming up: Stay and Play – Theme: Let’s Go on a Journey!

    9.30am – 10.30am, booking needed

  5. Coming up: School in Action

    9.00am to 11.00am

Source: St Helen's School, checked

St Helen's lists two kinds of event. School in Action mornings are open to families at every entry point.

Stay and Play sessions are for girls joining the Nursery or Reception next September.

When we checked, two of the Stay and Play sessions were already full. There are separate booking links for the Prep and Senior Schools.

Results, as published by the school

A level grades A* to A: 66% (2026)

  • A level grades A* to A, 2026

    66%A level grades A* to A, 2026Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: 92% of the total grades achieved are A*-B with 66% A*-A.View the official source

    No earlier year published

  • A level grades A* to B, 2026

    92%A level grades A* to B, 2026Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: 92% of the total grades achieved are A*-B with 66% A*-A.View the official source

    No earlier year published

  • GCSE grades 9 to 7, 2026

    79%GCSE grades 9 to 7, 2026Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: 79% of students achieved grades 9-7View the official source

    No earlier year published

Results are the school's own figures. Schools count them in different ways, so compare with care.

The school reports these results. We show them as published.

MeasureFigure
A level: share of all grades at A* to A66% (2026)St Helen's School: A level astar apercent (2026)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: 92% of the total grades achieved are A*-B with 66% A*-A.View the official source
A level: share of all grades at A* to B92% (2026)St Helen's School: A level astar bpercent (2026)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: 92% of the total grades achieved are A*-B with 66% A*-A.View the official source
GCSE: grades 9 to 7 (the school words this as a share of students)79% (2026)St Helen's School: Gcse9to7 percent (2026)Checked 10 Oct 2026 against St Helen's School.The source says: 79% of students achieved grades 9-7View the official source

Official documents and sources

18 sources, each kept as an archived copy

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