About St. Catherine's School, Twickenham
St. Catherine's School, Twickenham is a girls independent day school in Twickenham, London. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the online adaptive assessment used by leading UK independent senior schools, covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
St. Catherine's School, Twickenham is committed to providing an outstanding educational experience for every pupil, with excellent academic results, strong pastoral care and a thriving extracurricular programme. Scholarships and bursaries are available to support pupils with talent and financial need. Ranked #322 in The Sunday Times Parent Power. GCSE 9-7: 62%.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for St. Catherine's School, Twickenham
St. Catherine's School, Twickenham Admissions Criteria
St. Catherine's School, Twickenham is a girls independent day school in Twickenham, London. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the ISEB Common Pre-Test, the online adaptive assessment used by leading UK independent senior schools, covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
- ✓Step 1 — Initial enquiry: Contact the Admissions Team at St. Catherine's School, Twickenham to register your interest and request a prospectus. Visit the school on an Open Day or arrange a private tour to experience the school environment first-hand.
- ✓Step 2 — Submit registration: Complete the online (or paper) registration form and pay the registration fee to formally apply for a Year 7 place at St. Catherine's School, Twickenham. Early registration is recommended — many independent schools have rolling admissions and limited Year 7 places.
- ✓Step 3 — Reference from current school: The school will request an academic and pastoral reference from your child's current school. This provides insight into your child's academic progress, character and suitability.
- ✓Step 4 — ISEB Common Pre-Test: Your child will sit the ISEB Common Pre-Test online — the standardised, adaptive assessment used by St and over 90 other UK independent senior schools. The test covers English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning and takes 2 hours 15 minutes in total. It is age-standardised to allow fair comparison across applicants.
- ✓Step 5 — Interview (where applicable): Many independent schools include an interview as part of the selection process — this is a friendly conversation to learn about her interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether her child has been offered a place at St. Catherine's School, Twickenham.
- ✓Step 7 — Accept the place: To accept an offer, parents complete an acceptance form and pay a deposit to secure the place. The deposit is typically credited against future school fees.
- ✓Academic Scholarships: Awarded to applicants demonstrating exceptional academic ability in the entrance assessment.
- ✓Music Scholarships: For pupils with proven musical ability — supported by an audition.
- ✓Art & Drama Scholarships: For pupils with strong creative and performance ability, supported by a portfolio or audition.
- ✓Sport Scholarships: For pupils with talent and achievement in sport at a competitive level.
- ✓Bursary Awards: Means-tested financial support for families who require help with school fees at St. Catherine's School, Twickenham. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
St. Catherine's School, Twickenham Oversubscription Criteria
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- Children who achieve the highest scores in the 11+ entrance test.
- Children living within the school's priority catchment area.
- Children with siblings currently attending St. Catherine's School, Twickenham.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — St. Catherine's School, Twickenham 2026
| 📌 Open Events | Throughout the year — check school website to register |
| 📌 Application Window | Rolling admissions — apply early to secure assessment slot |
| 📌 Entrance Assessment | Arranged after registration submitted |
| 📌 Decision Notification | Following assessment, by written letter from the Head |
| 📌 Acceptance & Deposit | Deposit required to secure offered place |
How to Apply to St. Catherine's School, Twickenham
Step 1 — Visit St Catherine's School in Twickenham, beside the River Thames
Visit St Catherine's School in Twickenham, beside the River Thames — book a guided tour or open event
Step 2 — Complete the online registration form
Complete the online registration form on the school's admissions portal
Step 3 — Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Pay the registration fee at the time of application
Step 4 — The school requests a confidential reference from your
The school requests a confidential reference from your daughter's current school
Step 5 — Submit by the registration deadline in November of the
Submit by the registration deadline in November of the year preceding entry
Step 6 — Your daughter sits the entrance examination in December
Your daughter sits the entrance examination in December — followed by an informal interview with the Head
Step 7 — Offer letters sent out in February
Offer letters sent out in February — places to be accepted by deadline in March
Step 8 — Pay the £1,000 deposit to secure the place
Pay the £1,000 deposit to secure the place
Independent Subjects Tested at St. Catherine's School, Twickenham
Scholarships & Bursaries at St. Catherine's School, Twickenham
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic, Art, Drama, Music, Sport Scholarships at 11+ and 16+ — up to 50% of tuition fees (Academic). Letter of recommendation required from current teacher/coach.
Outcome announced: Academic scholarships and exhibitions awarded on basis of entrance examinations and interview — up to 50% of tuition fees
Additional notes: St Catherine's School Twickenham is a Catholic independent day school for girls in Twickenham, London (founded 1914 by the Sisters of Mercy — named after Catherine of Siena). 430-440 pupils ages 3-18. Located beside the River Thames near Pope's Villa. The only independent Roman Catholic girls' school in the Richmond area (Archdiocese of Westminster). Term's written notice required for withdrawal.
Independent Practice Papers for St. Catherine's School, Twickenham
St. Catherine's School, Twickenham uses ISEB Common Pre-Test format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the St. Catherine's School, Twickenham 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.