Beside the Thames in Twickenham, where Alexander Pope once lived, St Catherine's School occupies a setting steeped in literary history. Founded in 1914 by the Sisters of Mercy, the school has evolved into an independent Catholic girls' school combining over a century of tradition with distinctly modern educational practice. The motto, Non Verba sed Facta (Not Words but Deeds), captures a philosophy emphasising action and practical engagement rather than empty rhetoric. With 385 pupils across ages 7-18, the school operates as a close-knit community where individual girls are known, challenged, and supported to find their own potential. GCSE results place the school in the top 6% in England (FindMySchool ranking), while A-level performance sits solidly in the top 13%, suggesting a school that delivers measurable academic outcomes within a genuinely caring environment.
The physical setting shapes life here. Girls move through buildings that span centuries; the Prep campus occupies what were once residential houses, while the Senior School and Sixth Form benefit from facilities developed over decades of careful expansion. The riverside location provides a sense of peaceful separation from London's density, yet the school remains thoroughly cosmopolitan in its community and outlook.
Mrs Johneen McPherson has led the school since November 2019, arriving from a deputy headship at St Mary's Ascot. In interviews, she has spoken openly about her commitment to all-girls education and her belief that a school of 385 pupils creates relationships and belonging that larger institutions cannot match. She continues to teach, taking Year 9 English and A-level literature, which matters more than it might seem; pupils encounter educational leadership grounded in direct experience of teaching, not abstracted from it.
The Catholic character is present throughout, though the school explicitly welcomes girls of all faiths. A chaplaincy operates, daily prayer shapes the rhythm of the school day, and religious education features in the curriculum. For Catholic families, this offers authentic faith education; for others of different traditions, the chaplaincy team works to ensure that spiritual development is supported without creating alienation. This represents a genuine middle ground that respects Catholic identity without making non-Catholic girls feel peripheral.
The four House system creates vertical communities where younger and older girls interact regularly. Houses compete in academic quizzes, sports, art, and drama competitions, fostering friendly rivalry that binds the community together. Girls speak of the school as a place where they are known as individuals, where staff notice when something is wrong, and where relationships between staff and pupils extend beyond the transactional. This is not empty marketing language at St Catherine's; visitor observation and inspection evidence consistently highlight the genuine warmth of community here.
In 2024, GCSE results reflected strong, consistent performance. 42% of grades achieved the top band of 9-8, with a further 21% achieving grade 7. 63% of GCSE grades reached the top three bands (9-7), compared to the England average of 54%. The school ranks 254th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 6% of schools and 6th among Richmond upon Thames secondaries.
This is a meaningful achievement. The gap between St Catherine's and the England average reflects pupils making genuine progress across subjects. What distinguishes the school's results is consistency: strong outcomes across both traditional academic subjects and creative fields. Art, History, Mathematics and Science emerge as particularly strong areas, with girls achieving top grades across these diverse fields. Drama and English also feature prominently, suggesting a school where breadth of excellence matters, not narrow specialisation.
Sixth Form results in 2024 showed 18% of A-level grades at A*, with 25% at A, and a further 28% at B. The combined A*-B attainment of 70% exceeds the England average of 47%, indicating that Sixth Form girls are making above-average progress. The school ranks 331st in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 13%.
The Sixth Form cohort is small, typically around 60 pupils, which creates an intimate environment where girls are genuinely known by Sixth Form staff. Entry from Year 11 is guaranteed for internal pupils meeting required grades, ensuring continuity and stability during the demanding A-level years. The school offers 26 A-level subjects, including less common options such as Classical Greek and History of Art, allowing girls to pursue genuinely personal academic interests rather than following standardised paths.
University destinations reflect the calibre of Sixth Form cohorts. In 2024, 84% of leavers progressed to university, with girls securing places at a range of institutions. The school does not publish specific Russell Group percentages or Oxbridge data, though the breadth of subjects and strength of results suggest that competitive university applications are regularly successful.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
70.49%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
63%
% of students achieving grades 9-7
Curriculum breadth distinguishes the school. Rather than narrowing subjects early, girls in Years 7-9 study a full range of subjects including languages (French and Spanish), sciences as separate disciplines, humanities, technology, and creative subjects. This reflects an educational philosophy that learning should be exploratory and students should develop the knowledge to make genuine choices about specialisation, rather than having those choices imposed by institutional constraint.
Teaching is characterised by strong subject knowledge. Staff invest in professional development and subject specialism; the English department, for instance, features a head of department with postgraduate qualifications and extensive experience. Small class sizes (typically 14-16 in lower years, dropping to 6-10 for A-level sets) allow teachers to know pupils' learning patterns intimately and adjust teaching accordingly. This is particularly valuable in sixth form, where the transition to university study requires independent thinking and the ability to sustain complex argument. Girls report that teachers expect intellectual rigour; coursework and essays are marked with detailed feedback, and pupils are pushed to refine ideas and extend arguments.
The school places emphasis on value-added progress. Leadership explicitly mentions that pupils' academic predictions are consistently exceeded as they progress, suggesting that the teaching environment brings out greater achievement than entry assessments might predict. This indicates effective teaching, good pastoral support for academic worries, and an ethos where girls are encouraged to aim high.
With 84% of the 2024 leavers cohort progressing to university, St Catherine's functions as an academic school with clear university pathways. Sixth Form girls engage in formal preparation for university applications; the school works with pupils on UCAS processes, personal statements, and interview preparation. Girls regularly secure places at competitive universities, with destinations likely including Durham, Bristol, Exeter, and Edinburgh based on the school's academic profile, though the school does not publish detailed destination statistics.
The university progression rate reflects strong GCSE and A-level results and the school's emphasis on academic ambition. What distinguishes it is that university preparation does not dominate the Sixth Form experience; girls are encouraged to engage with co-curricular activities, leadership roles, and personal development in parallel with academic study.
St Catherine's maintains an extensive and genuinely diverse co-curricular programme that extends across sports, creative arts, academic enrichment, service, and personal development. The breadth of provision ensures that every girl finds something authentic to engage with, rather than a tokenistic menu of activities.
Music holds a prominent position in school life. The school operates multiple ensembles including an orchestra, chapel choir, and various smaller groups. Girls can opt to learn instruments, with the school offering specialist tuition and encouraging participation in performances. The chapel choir, in particular, features prominently in school events and provides girls with significant performing experience. Annual concerts showcase instrumental and vocal work, and girls often progress to grade examinations in their chosen instruments. For girls with genuine musical interest, the school offers a rich environment; for others, music remains optional, avoiding the pressure that can come from intensive performance culture elsewhere.
Drama is extremely popular, with the school staging major productions annually. Recent productions have included full-scale Shakespeare, classics such as Shrek, and contemporary work. The productions feature substantial casts drawing from across the school, with girls taking roles ranging from major parts to ensemble and technical roles. Orchestra accompaniment adds professional quality to productions. Girls describe this as genuinely formative; the experience of learning lines, collaborating with peers, managing nerves, and performing to an audience develops confidence and communication skills that extend far beyond the stage.
The physical education programme operates at multiple levels. Competitive teams in netball, athletics, swimming, and fitness compete against other schools, with girls achieving success at regional and occasional national level. Swimming is particularly strong, with girls accessing a dedicated pool facility and competitive swimmers regularly achieving high standards. Participation in sports is encouraged widely, with non-competitive options available for girls who want fitness and social engagement without the pressure of competition.
Athletics days and inter-house competitions provide all girls with opportunities to participate and contribute. The school hosts annual sports days where house competition drives engagement across the school community. Overseas trips to sporting destinations allow girls to combine travel with physical activity, broadening their sporting experience beyond domestic competition.
St Catherine's Debating Society operates as a flagship activity. Girls participate in formal debating competitions and public speaking events, with the school regularly fielding teams in regional and national competitions. The activity develops rhetoric, quick thinking, and confidence in articulate expression. Model United Nations (MUN) also features, allowing girls to engage in diplomatic simulation and develop understanding of international relations.
Sixth Form girls take prominent roles in leading clubs and co-curricular life. This allows younger girls to see leadership in action and allows Sixth Formers to develop responsibility and mentoring skills. The school explicitly encourages Sixth Form girls to initiate clubs around their own interests, resulting in a dynamic and changing co-curricular landscape that reflects pupil agency rather than permanent staff-led provision.
The scheme operates across the school, with girls completing Bronze, Silver, and Gold expeditions. Expeditions take place in varied landscapes, including the Lake District and further afield, providing girls with adventure, resilience-building, and friendship development away from the school environment. The scheme is rigorous without being elite; it remains accessible to girls of all fitness levels, focusing on personal progress rather than absolute achievement.
Emerging interests in photography and digital arts feature in the co-curricular offer. Girls work with specialist equipment in dedicated spaces, developing technical and creative skills that connect to both art and design technology.
Girls regularly participate in national competitions including mathematics olympiads, science challenges, and essay competitions. The school encourages entry based on interest and ability, supporting girls who wish to test their knowledge against national standards.
Beyond structured clubs, girls engage in community service. School committees allow girls to influence school policy and practice. Annual service days see girls volunteering with local charities and community organisations. This reflects the school's stated values around responsibility and contribution.
Overseas educational trips expose girls to diverse cultures and landscapes. Recent trips have included Peru, Vietnam, France, and Spain. These experiences broaden perspective and create shared memories that strengthen community bonds. Shorter domestic trips support curriculum learning; history girls visit significant sites, science trips attend relevant facilities, and language trips immerse girls in linguistic environments.
For the 2025-26 academic year, termly fees are £6,603 for Years 3-6 and £7,998 for Years 7-13 (including VAT). Annual fees therefore total approximately £19,809 (Prep) and £23,994 (Senior/Sixth Form). Lunch is compulsory at £330 per term.
Optional charges include Breakfast Club (£5 per day from 7.30am), After School Club (£6 per half hour to 6pm), and specialist activities. Financial support is available through the School Fee Plan, which allows monthly spread of fees without additional financing cost.
Beyond tuition fees, families should budget for uniform, educational visits and trips, individual music tuition if pursued, and examination fees at GCSE and A-level. The school's website provides detailed costings for each.
Bursaries are specifically available for families whose financial circumstances would otherwise prevent access. The school states that bursaries are distributed according to financial need assessment and that some girls attend entirely on bursary support. Sibling discounts are available, as are lump-sum payment discounts for families able to pay fees in advance.
Scholarships offering 10-25% fee reduction are available for academic, music, art, drama, and sports achievement. Additionally, Siena Scholarships provide additional support for girls whose families have demonstrated financial need alongside academic merit.
Fees data coming soon.
Entry to the Prep School (Year 3) and Senior School (Year 7) is selective. The school uses entrance examinations and interviews to identify girls with ability and motivation to benefit from its selective environment.
Registration closes in November for entry the following September. Pupils sit entrance examinations in December covering English, Mathematics, and reasoning. Examination performance, current school references, and an informal interview with the Headmistress determine offers. Offers are released in February, with acceptance required by March alongside a £1,000 deposit. The examination aims to identify girls with academic potential, not necessarily to test curriculum knowledge intensively taught at primary school.
Scholarship places are available for academic ability, music, art, drama, and sport. Academic scholarships are awarded on entrance examination performance. Music scholarships require Grade 4 standard on an instrument or voice. Art scholarships assess portfolios and artistic potential. Drama scholarships consider previous performance experience. Sport scholarships include a performance assessment. Scholarships typically offer 10-25% fee reduction and carry prestige within the school community.
Means-tested bursaries are available for families in financial need. The bursary application process is confidential, and the school states commitment to ensuring financial circumstances do not prevent able girls from accessing places.
The school emphasises pastoral care as central to its mission. Each girl belongs to a form group with a dedicated form tutor, and tutors meet pupils daily. This frequency of contact means early identification of concerns is possible; staff notice changes in behaviour, mood, or engagement and respond proactively.
A Learning Support Department operates to assist girls experiencing specific learning difficulties. Support is individualised and aims to help girls access the mainstream curriculum rather than replacing it. Girls identified as "more able" in particular subjects are also monitored for enrichment and extension.
The school operates a zero-tolerance approach to bullying. Pupils and parents report that the school takes reports seriously, investigates thoroughly, and follows through on restorative action. The small size facilitates this; issues cannot fester unaddressed when staff know the community intimately.
Mental health support is available through trained staff, and the school works with external counsellors and mental health professionals when needed. The school acknowledges that adolescence brings emotional challenges and provides structured support rather than assuming resilience alone will suffice.
School Day: Typically 8.30am-3.20pm for main school, with breakfast club from 7.30am and after-school club until 6pm available. The school operates on a three-term year with breaks at Christmas, Easter, and summer.
Transport: The school is accessible by public transport; Strawberry Hill and Twickenham railway stations are approximately one mile away. Local bus services serve the area. Families with cars find parking available locally, though not on-site. Walking is possible for families within approximately one mile.
Catering: Lunch is provided on-site with options available to suit dietary requirements. Breakfast and tuck shop items are available for purchase.
Uniform: Uniform is required and is traditionally formal; girls wear blazer, skirt, and school colours. Sixth Form uniform is less restrictive, allowing girls greater choice.
Entrance selectivity: Entry at 11+ is competitive. Families should ensure their daughter is genuinely interested in this particular school and the all-girls environment, rather than entering simply because a place is sought. The entrance examinations create some pressure; support from parents in taking the process seriously without creating anxiety is valuable.
All-girls education: The school is exclusively girls. For families valuing co-education, this is a fundamental point to clarify. The school articulates significant benefits to all-girls education; prospective families should consider whether they share this educational philosophy or whether their daughter has expressed preference for this environment.
Cost: At nearly £20,000 per year for main school, fees place this school at the higher end of independent schools in the area. While bursaries and scholarships exist, they are competitive and not guaranteed. Families should budget realistically and confirm financial sustainability before accepting a place.
Travel: The school is not walkable from central London and not on a major transport corridor. For families whose work or other commitments are elsewhere, daily travel may be burdensome. Proximity should be verified as practical before committing.
Community expectations: The school has a fairly traditional feel and emphasis on academic and cultural achievement. Girls thriving in creative, intellectually ambitious, fairly formal environments will flourish. Those seeking a relaxed, counter-cultural, or highly progressive environment may find it constraining.
St Catherine's School delivers what it promises: strong academics within a genuinely caring community where girls are known as individuals. GCSE and A-level results place it firmly in the top tier of independent schools. The college entrance rate of 84% reflects successful university preparation. But numbers alone do not capture what distinguishes the school.
The all-girls environment, Catholic ethos, focus on community, and sustained emphasis on pastoral care create something distinctive from larger co-educational competitors. The Headmistress's commitment to all-girls education and school size for relationship-building reflects genuine educational philosophy, not marketing language. Girls describe feeling known, challenged, and supported.
This school suits academically able girls who value community and relationship, whose families embrace Catholic education or are comfortable with it, and for whom location in Twickenham is practical. It suits girls who want selective academic environment without sacrificing genuine pastoral care. It does not suit girls seeking co-education, families for whom cost is prohibitive, or those wanting a more progressive or counter-cultural school culture.
For the right family, this is an exceptional choice. For others, it simply will not fit.
Yes. St Catherine's ranks in the top 6% of schools in England for GCSE outcomes, with 63% of grades at 9-7 compared to the England average of 54%. At A-level, 70% achieve A*-B. The school has recently undergone ISI inspection (February 2025) and operates as a selective independent school with strong academic outcomes, 84% university progression for leavers, and consistent investment in pastoral care and co-curricular breadth.
For 2025-26, fees are £6,603 per term for Years 3-6 (approximately £19,809 annually) and £7,998 per term for Years 7-13 (approximately £23,994 annually). Lunch at £330 per term is compulsory and included in invoicing. Registration fee is £120, and acceptance deposit is £1,000 (credited toward school account). Monthly payment arrangements are available through the School Fee Plan with no additional financing cost.
Admission is selective. Girls must sit entrance examinations in December covering English, Mathematics, and reasoning, plus attend an informal interview with the Headmistress. Reference from current school is also considered. Year 7 entry is competitive; parents should ensure children are genuinely interested in the school and all-girls education. Registration closes in November for September entry. Scholarships are available for academic, music, art, drama, and sports achievement, with bursaries available for families demonstrating financial need.
The school occupies a historic site beside the River Thames in Twickenham. Facilities include dedicated music rooms, art studios, sports changing facilities, a swimming pool, science laboratories, and a library. The Sixth Form has dedicated study and social space. Physical Education facilities support netball, swimming, athletics, and fitness activities. Drama is performed in dedicated theatre spaces. Investment in facilities has been ongoing; the school website details recent building projects including refurbished science facilities and extended Sixth Form provision.
Music is central to school life. The school operates an orchestra, chapel choir, and smaller ensembles. Girls can pursue instrumental tuition, with the school offering specialist teaching and encouraging participation in formal examinations and performances. Annual concerts feature instrumental and vocal work. For girls with genuine interest, music offers deep engagement; for others, it remains optional. Music scholarships are available at 11+ and 16+.
The school explicitly identifies all-girls education as central to its educational philosophy and community. Leadership articulates benefits including single-sex learning focus, reduced distraction, confidence-building, and strong female role models in leadership and teaching. The school welcomes girls of all faiths and backgrounds while maintaining this all-girls structure. For families valuing or seeking this environment, it is a defining strength. For those preferring co-education, it is a fundamental mismatch.
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