St Catherine's School

Eleven boarders and six day girls began St Catherine's School in 1885, and boarding remains central to its identity. The Church of England community in Bramley, near Guildford, now brings together Prep, Senior and Sixth Form stages for girls, with a history of successive additions for science, music, arts, sport and residential life.

Boarding is organised for pupils aged 11 to 18 through weekly, occasional, flexi and full arrangements. Resident housemistresses and staff live on site, so the boarding community is part of the ordinary pattern of the day rather than an extra attached to academic study. That range of options also allows families to choose a residential rhythm suited to the pupil's age and circumstances.

Senior study continues through GCSE and A levels. In History, pupils work through a chronological range at Key Stage 3, encounter diverse historical experiences and sources, and develop independent investigation at A level. Drama, music, art, technology, sport, clubs and performances sit alongside academic departments, giving the curriculum both a traditional spine and visible creative and practical strands.

Entry varies by stage and applicant. International applicants at 12+ and 13+ take English, Mathematics and Verbal Reasoning assessments followed by interview. Sixth Form applicants take subject-specific tests and a general test before interview, so the route reflects both the point of entry and the subjects intended for post-16 study.