School WiselyBeta

St Catherine's School[1]

Independent · ages 2–19

Open in the map

Headline results

A-level average grade
AL A A 2024/25[2]

Results

GCSE (key stage 4)

Attainment 8
18.1 2025/26[3]
Grade 5+ in English & maths
0% 2025/26[3]
Grade 7+ in English & maths
0% 2025/26[3]
Progress 8, 2025/26
Not calculated[4]
Progress 8, 2024/25
Not calculated[4]

IGCSEs don't count towards Attainment 8, so it understates many independent schools.

Earlier years
Year Attainment 8 Grade 5+ in English & maths Grade 7+ in English & maths
2024/25 16.9[5] 0%[5]
2023/24 18.4[6] 0%[6]
2022/23 17.5[7] 0%[7]
2021/22 17.4[8] 0%[8]

A level (16–18)

A-level average grade
A 2024/25[2]
AAB or better, at least two in facilitating subjects
47.4% 2024/25[2]
All results, 2020/21
Not published (exams cancelled, COVID-19)[9]
All results, 2019/20
Not published (exams cancelled, COVID-19)[9]
Earlier years
Year A-level average grade AAB or better, at least two in facilitating subjects
2023/24 A-[10] 51.7%[10]
2022/23 A-[11] 32.7%[11]
2021/22 A[12] 36.5%[12]
2018/19 A-[13] 27.2%[13]

Destinations after 16–18 study

Sustained education, apprenticeship or employment
78.6% 2023/24[14]
UK higher education
60.7% 2023/24[14]
Education
63.1% 2023/24[14]
Apprenticeship
0% 2023/24[14]
Employment
15.5% 2023/24[14]
Earlier leavers
Left in Sustained education, apprenticeship or employment UK higher education Education Apprenticeship Employment
2022/23 87.3%[14] 68.4%[14] 72.2%[14] 0%[14] 15.2%[14]
2021/22 81.5%[14] 60.5%[14] 61.7%[14] 0%[14] 19.8%[14]

Shares of the pupils who left in the year shown. Russell Group and Oxford or Cambridge figures were published for leavers up to 2019/20 only.

For independent schools the DfE publishes destinations after 16–18 study only: no destinations after GCSEs and no university progression figures (top third, Russell Group, Oxbridge).

Ofsted

Inspected by
Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI)[15]

Inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), not Ofsted. ISI publishes its reports on its own website (isi.net), not as open data, so they aren't shown here.

Competition to get in

Admissions

Entrance test, 11+ entry
ISEB Common Pre-Tests (English, Mathematics, Non-Verbal Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning) Entry Sept 2027[16]

Character & practicalities

Type
Other independent school[1]
Ages
2–19[1]
Boys / girls
Girls[1]
Faith
Church of England[1]
Admissions
Selective[1]
Sixth form
Yes[1]
Boarding
Boarding school[1]
Capacity
910[1]
Local authority
Surrey[1]
Website
www.stcatherines.info[1]
Nursery classes
Has Nursery Classes[15]
Special classes
No Special Classes[15]
Section 41 (can be named in an EHC plan)
Not approved[15]
District
Waverley[17]
Postcode
GU5 0DF[1]
URN
125320[1]

School details as recorded in Get Information About Schools on 14 Oct 2026.

Pupils

Number on roll
838 2024/25[18]
SEN support
30.9% 2024/25[18]
EHC plan
0.1% 2024/25[18]
Free school meals in the last 6 years
0% 2024/25[18]

Practicalities

Bursaries
Bright Futures Bursaries (shared school page): means-tested places offered at age 7 (Year 3), help up to 75% of fees plus essential extras; entrance exam, open morning and home visit required; reassessed annually. Contact Head of Prep Admissions. No scholarships at Prep entry (scholarships start at 11+). 2026-10-14[19]
Occasional places
The school states that main points of entry are 11+ (Year 7), 13+ (Year 9), and Sixth Form, with occasional places outside these year groups. Entry Sept 2027[16]
Open events
The Prep School and Early Years Open Event is scheduled for Friday 26th February 2027. Entry Sept 2028[20]
Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded on merit for academic excellence or exceptional talent in Art, Textiles, Drama, Music, or Sport, with max 5% fee discount and additional benefits, available at 11+ and 16+ entry points. 2026-10-14[19]

Routes to senior schools

Assured place at 11+: St Catherine's School, Bramley
Prep girls still sit the ISEB Common Pre-Tests in Year 6, but the Senior School aims to make offers in January of Year 5, contingent on sustained progress and good behaviour, to all pupils for whom progression is 'considered manageable'; others are guided to alternatives. Not unconditional/automatic. the Senior School will work closely with the Prep throughout each pupil’s journey and will aim to make offers in January of Upper 2/Year 5. These offers will be contingent on sustained progress and good behaviour and will be extended to all pupils for whom progression to the Senior School is considered manageable. 2026-10-14[21]

In the inspectors' and the school's words

Academic
Whilst we are academically selective and have high expectations, we welcome girls as individuals they are also introduced to Common Entrance and Scholarship papers in LIII which are very different in focus and stretch[22]
Warmth
we have the feel of a village school yet share the Senior School's outstanding facilities[22]
Enrichment
residential trip to France[22]
Performing arts
share the Senior School's outstanding facilities such as the swimming pool, 350 seat Auditorium and the playing fields[22]
Academic
with a high percentage of pupils attaining the highest grades at GCSE and A level. However, in some lessons in the senior school, teaching is less effective and this limits pupil progress.[23]
Warmth
Pupils look forward to and enjoy an extensive range of opportunities to develop their confidence and a sense of belonging This has created a positive school community which enhances pupils’ learning experiences and personal development.[23]
Pastoral care
they speak highly of the support they receive from adults, including pastoral staff who are well supported by professional counsellors and psychologists. Leaders create a safe and healthy environment in which the wellbeing of pupils is paramount[23]
Behaviour
standards of behaviour around the school being consistently high. An effective anti-bullying strategy ensures that bullying is rare. Pupils across the ability range and from all phases of the school are confident, focused and motivated to learn.[23]
Learning support
As a result of careful and sensitive identification and intervention procedures through the academic mentoring programme, pupils receiving additional learning support consistently make progress ...[23]
Enrichment
Pupils find the distinctive extra-curricular offer supports their sense of wellbeing. This provision is a significant strength of the school.[23]
Pupil voice
All Year 12 pupils take on a prefect role and make an active, personal contribution to the wider school community. pupil leadership opportunities in school include equality, diversity and inclusion monitors in the prep school and inclusion focus groups in the senior school.[23]
Independence
Leaders and staff successfully encourage pupils to develop a love of learning and to develop the ability to think creatively and independently.[23]
Collaboration
Staff promote opportunities for collaborative working in the classroom. This contributes to a positive atmosphere of mutual respect among pupils[23]
Diversity
This has helped to create an inclusive culture where pupils are respectful of each other, irrespective of differences in faith.[23]
Sport
The broad range of lessons, activities and sports fixtures on offer, ensures that participation levels are high.[23]

Sources

  1. Department for Education: Get Information About Schools: all establishments. Period 2026-10-14, published 2026-10-14. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  2. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS5 (16-18) final. Period 2024/25, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  3. Department for Education: Performance tables schools data (explore education statistics). Period 2025/26, provisional, published 2026-10-15. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  4. Department for Education: Key stage 4 performance 2024/25: data guidance. Period 2024/25. Archived copy; original. Licence: OGL-3.0.
    Quote
    It is not possible to calculate Progress 8 for academic years 2024/25 and 2025/26 due to gaps in the baseline caused by COVID-19 disruption.
  5. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS4 final. Period 2024/25, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  6. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS4 final. Period 2023/24, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  7. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS4 final. Period 2022/23, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  8. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS4 final. Period 2021/22, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  9. Department for Education: A level and other 16 to 18 results 2020/21. Period 2020/21. Archived copy; original. Licence: OGL-3.0.
    Quote
    Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the summer exam series was cancelled in both 2020 and 2021, and alternative processes were set up to award grades.
  10. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS5 (16-18) final. Period 2023/24, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  11. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS5 (16-18) final. Period 2022/23, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  12. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS5 (16-18) final. Period 2021/22, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  13. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: KS5 (16-18) final. Period 2018/19, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  14. Department for Education: 16-18 destination measures: 16-19 study leavers institution level destinations. Period 2023/24. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  15. Department for Education: Get Information About Schools: all establishments (independent schools' inspectorate and provision). Period 2026-10-17, published 2026-10-17. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  16. stcatherines.info: stcatherines.info — Seniorschool. Period 2026-10-14. Licence: copyright-quoted.
    Quotes (2)
    The tests comprise English (40 minutes), Mathematics (40 minutes), Non-Verbal Reasoning (30 minutes) and Verbal Reasoning (25 minutes). (p. 1)
    Main points of entry are: 11+ (Year 7), 13+ (Year 9) and Sixth Form. Places occasionally arise outside these year groups. (p. 1)
  17. Office for National Statistics: Parish to Ward to Local Authority District (May 2026) Lookup in EW. Period 2026-05-01. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  18. Department for Education: Compare School Performance download: School census. Period 2024/25, final. Publication page. Data file. Licence: OGL-3.0.
  19. stcatherines.info: stcatherines.info — Bursaries and scholarships. Period 2026-10-14. Licence: copyright-quoted.
    Quotes (5)
    Bright Futures Bursaries (Help with Fees) and Scholarships are not the same. Bursaries are awarded on formal assessment of proven financial need and after a thorough form of means-testing. However, your daughter will still have to show academic ability and pass our entrance examination. (p. 1)
    The School offers a number of means-tested places to girls at age 7 (Year 3), age 11 (Year 7) and at Sixth Form. Help can be provided up to 75% of the fees. (p. 1)
    Any offer of help with fees would be subject to parent/guardian attendance at an Open Morning, the candidate passing the School's Entrance Exam and a home visit before the award is finally confirmed. (p. 1)
    St Catherine's School Scholarships are awarded to pupils who show exceptional talent and potential in Academics, Art, Drama, Music and Sport. Awards are available on entry at 11+ (Year 7). (p. 1)
    St Catherine's scholarships may be honorary or carry a 5% fee reduction. (p. 1)
  20. stcatherines.info: stcatherines.info — Open events. Period 2026-10-14. Licence: copyright-quoted.
    Quotes (3)
    Register (p. 1)
    Friday 26th February 2027 (p. 1)
    Saturday 6th March 2027 (p. 1)
  21. stcatherines.info: stcatherines.info document (PDF). Period 2026-10-14. Licence: copyright-quoted.
    Quote
    the Senior School will work closely with the Prep throughout each pupil's journey and will aim to make offers in January of Upper 2/Year 5. These offers will be contingent on sustained progress and good behaviour and will be extended to all pupils for whom progression to the Senior School is considered manageable (p. 2)
  22. stcatherines.info: stcatherines.info — Heads welcome. Period 2026-10-14. Licence: copyright-quoted.
    Quotes (5)
    we have the feel of a village school yet share the Senior School's outstanding facilities (p. 1)
    Whilst we are academically selective and have high expectations, we welcome girls as individuals (p. 1)
    they are also introduced to Common Entrance and Scholarship papers in LIII which are very different in focus and stretch (p. 1)
    residential trip to France (p. 1)
    share the Senior School's outstanding facilities such as the swimming pool, 350 seat Auditorium and the playing fields (p. 1)
  23. reports.isi.net: reports.isi.net document (PDF). Period 2026-10-14. Licence: copyright-quoted.
    Quotes (16)
    The broad range of lessons, activities and sports fixtures on offer, ensures that participation levels are high (p. 8)
    Pupils look forward to and enjoy an extensive range of opportunities to develop their confidence and a sense of belonging (p. 3)
    This has created a positive school community which enhances pupils' learning experiences and personal development (p. 8)
    with a high percentage of pupils attaining the highest grades at GCSE and A level (p. 7)
    However, in some lessons in the senior school, teaching is less effective and this limits pupil progress (p. 7)
    they speak highly of the support they receive from adults, including pastoral staff who are well supported by professional counsellors and psychologists (p. 8)
    Leaders create a safe and healthy environment in which the wellbeing of pupils is paramount (p. 8)
    standards of behaviour around the school being consistently high. An effective anti-bullying strategy ensures that bullying is rare (p. 8)
    Pupils across the ability range and from all phases of the school are confident, focused and motivated to learn (p. 7)
    This has helped to create an inclusive culture where pupils are respectful of each other, irrespective of differences in faith (p. 8)
    Pupils find the distinctive extra-curricular offer supports their sense of wellbeing. This provision is a significant strength of the school (p. 3)
    All Year 12 pupils take on a prefect role and make an active, personal contribution to the wider school community (p. 10)
    pupil leadership opportunities in school include equality, diversity and inclusion monitors in the prep school and inclusion focus groups in the senior school (p. 8)
    Leaders and staff successfully encourage pupils to develop a love of learning and to develop the ability to think creatively and independently (p. 6)
    Staff promote opportunities for collaborative working in the classroom. This contributes to a positive atmosphere of mutual respect among pupils (p. 8)
    As a result of careful and sensitive identification and intervention procedures through the academic mentoring programme, pupils receiving additional learning support consistently make progress (p. 7)