Age range. Girls 7–18 years.
Number in school. Approx. 400 Day Girls.
St Catherine’s is a Catholic School which warmly welcomes girls of all faiths.
Aims. We are proud of our Catholic ethos, which informs our commitment to a values-based education that builds character and confidence. Our broad and exciting curricular and co-curricular programmes operate within a friendly and supportive environment which encourages and challenges girls to be the best they can be. Emphasis is placed on kindness, authenticity, respect for others, self-discipline, and the nurturing of both leadership skills and the compassion to serve. Staff know the pupils as individuals and there is a strong sense of community which promotes academic success and creates a happy, purposeful school.
Situation. The school enjoys an enviable position, located next to the River Thames. It is a short distance from the centre of Twickenham and a short walk from Strawberry Hill and Twickenham Stations. Both have regular services to London (Waterloo), Surrey, Berkshire and Middlesex. There are also a number of local bus routes.
Entrance. The main entry points are at Year 3, Year 7, Year 9 or Year 12. Those seeking a Prep place, can be accepted at any stage, subject to availability. Places at the school are usually awarded on the basis of an interview, a report and reference from the candidate’s previous school and an assessment or examination, depending on the pupil’s age.
Scholarships and bursaries. Academic scholarships are awarded annually for Year 5, Year 7 and for Sixth Form. Art, Drama, Music and Sport scholarships are also awarded annually following an audition/assessment and are conditional on the applicant achieving the school’s academic requirement for entry. The Siena scholarship is an all-rounder scholarship awarded for Years 10–13.
A limited number of means-tested bursaries for Senior School pupils are offered depending on need and funds available.
Curriculum. In the Senior School, pupils follow courses in English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Religious Education, French, Spanish, History, Geography, Drama, Music, Art, Food and Nutrition, Computing, and Physical Education. All of these subjects are offered at GCSE, when most pupils study ten subjects. All of the above subjects are available at A level, with the addition of Politics, Graphics, Further Mathematics, Economics, Psychology, Photography, Sociology, and Textiles.
There is a strong commitment to Sport, and co-curricular activities. The school has its own field and indoor swimming pool as well as tennis and netball courts. Sports include swimming, netball, athletics, hockey, tennis, gymnastics, trampolining and rounders, and our pupils achieve considerable success at county, regional and national level.
Music plays an important part in the life of the school; all pupils are encouraged to participate in choirs, orchestras and ensembles, and there is a varied programme of concerts and informal performances each term.
Drama and dance are very popular and there are multiple opportunities to perform in school productions, as well as regular theatre visits which take place during the year.
Buildings. The Prep and Senior schools are on one site. The buildings include a large multipurpose hall as well as a smaller assembly hall, attractive Prep and Senior Libraries, ICT Suites, spacious Art, Photography and Textiles Rooms and a large Food and Nutrition Room. The Creative Hub includes classroom and performance space, and the Recital Room and individual practice rooms further enhance the provision for performing arts. There are fully equipped laboratories for Physics, Chemistry and Biology. A large programme of new building has recently added extra teaching blocks, extensions to the Sixth Form Centre, a Prep STEAM Room, a Drama Studio, and a Chaplaincy Room, and further development is planned.
Co-curricular activities. These play a significant role in the life of the school. Activities include the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, Badminton, Science Club, Football, Rugby, Rowing, Cross-country running, Zumba, Chess and Photography. Trips, both locally and abroad, add to the extensive range of activities on offer. Pupils also take part in community service and fundraising activities.
Fees per term (2025-2026). Inclusive of lunch: Years 3 to 6 £6,603; Years 7 to 13 £7,998; (excluding examination fees).
Charitable status. St Catherine’s School, Twickenham is a Registered Charity, number 1014651. It aims to provide for children seeking education in a Christian environment.