St Helen and St Katharine, Abingdon

In its own words: "At St Helen and St Katharine we believe that as a school we have an important role to play in encouraging girls to discover and develop their own strengths, enabling them to achieve academically and develop the self-belief and confidence that will equip them for life."

From the headteacher's welcome: "Life in SHSK Sixth Form is such an exciting time, academically and personally. It is the time when you take control of your learning, pursue the subjects you love and are fascinated by, expanding your knowledge and deepening your understanding."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include cricket, athletics, basketball, badminton, ballet, drama, choir, chess, cooking and Duke of Edinburgh.

Coming up: an open day on Friday 13 November 2026, an open day on Wednesday 25 November 2026, an open day on Tuesday 2 February 2027 and an open day on Thursday 25 February 2027. Check the school's website before you go, as dates can change.

The Department for Education's GCSE measures do not count IGCSEs, which many independent schools take instead of GCSEs, so the Attainment 8 and English and maths figures it publishes for St Helen and St Katharine can understate its results. We do not rank or compare them; ask the school for its own GCSE and IGCSE results.

The nearest other independent schools to St Helen and St Katharine are The Manor Preparatory School (0.2 miles); Abingdon School (0.4 miles); Cothill House (1.9 miles); and Radley College (2.3 miles, selective).

Of the 91 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 76% went on to university or other higher education and 9% into work.

In 2026, 134 pupils (19.1%) received SEN support and 2 (0.3%) had an education, health and care plan.

The nearest railway station is Radley Rail Station, about 2.5 miles away in a straight line.

6 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is Larkmead School (outside), 60 metres away.

Measured by the 2025 English Indices of Deprivation, the neighbourhood St Helen and St Katharine stands in is among the 10% least deprived neighbourhoods in England. This describes where the school is, not where its pupils live.

In August 2026, police recorded 165 crimes within a mile of the school, most often violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting. That is well above the typical figure around schools in Oxfordshire (52), as is usual near a town centre.