St Helen and St Katharine

What St Helen and St Katharine does

St Helen and St Katharine (SHSK) is an independent day school for girls aged 7-18 located in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, England. Founded in 1900 and operating as a registered charity (No. 286892, Company No. 1710695), the school delivers a continuous educational pathway organised by phase: SHSK Prep (Years 3-6 from September 2027, currently Years 5-6), Lower School (Year 7, age 11), Middle School (Year 9, age 13), and Sixth Form (Years 12-13). The commercial offering is built around recurring tuition fees supplemented by one-time registration fees (£180 UK / £300 overseas), paid wraparound supervision (7.30am to 6pm), and bursary/scholarship programmes funded through charitable donations including the active 125 Bursary Appeal.

The academic programme is deliberately paper-based and device-light, an unusual positioning relative to the broader UK independent sector, with technology used selectively rather than as a teaching default. Differentiation rests on the single-sex environment, structured academically selective admissions at multiple entry points, and an extensive "Beyond" co-curricular programme spanning more than 100 clubs and societies, alongside signature initiatives such as the Helena Academic Programme, the Year 6 Young Entrepreneur Project, and the OX14 Academic Coaching peer-tutoring scheme now in its sixth year. The single Abingdon campus comprises a dedicated Prep building, Science Centre with specialist laboratories, Sports Centre, Language Learning Centre, and a sports pavilion at Church Farm; catchment reach is supported by a Joint Bus Service covering six counties (Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Buckinghamshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire).

Revenue mechanics combine subscription-style recurring tuition with one-time admissions payments, paid wraparound care, and philanthropic flows from charitable giving and the Per Severa Society donor network. Customers are individual fee-paying families and means-tested bursary recipients, with no B2B or enterprise channel. Operational quality is supported by recent external validation: the 2025 ISI inspection confirmed full regulatory compliance and identified co-curricular provision as a 'Significant Strength'; the school won Independent Schools of the Year 2025 (shortlisted 2023, 2024) and was ranked top school in Abingdon by The Times Parent Power 2026.

Name

St Helen and St Katharine

Legal name

St Helen and St Katharine

Website

https://shsk.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1900

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

St Helen and St Katharine is an independent day school for girls aged 7-18 in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, delivering a multi-phase academic and co-curricular programme (Prep, Lower, Middle, Sixth Form) funded through recurring tuition fees, registration fees, and supported by bursaries and scholarships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Girls' Day School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Single-Sex (Boys/Girls) Private Schools (EDAJABAK)

Keywords

• Independent girls school
• Day school education
• Secondary education
• Sixth form programmes
• Private school education

Headquarters

HQ city

Abingdon

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition fees: The school charges tuition fees for its independent day school for girls aged 7-18. Fee schedules are published on the school's fees page.
2. Registration fees: A registration fee of £180 is charged for UK-based applicants and £300 for students living overseas when registering for admission.
3. Wraparound and supervision care: Optional paid supervision is available from 5.15 to 6pm beyond the standard school day (standard supervision runs 7.30am to 5.15pm, morning supervision from 7.30 to 8am needs to be booked ahead).
4. Bursary and scholarship funding: The school offers means-tested bursaries and academic/sports scholarships to support student attendance, funded through charitable donations. A 125 Bursary Appeal is underway to increase full bursary provision.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

St Helen and St Katharine is an independent day school for girls aged 7-18 (Year 3 through Sixth Form) located in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, delivering a single-sex academic education from Prep through A level. The school charges tuition fees to families, requires a registration fee of £180 (UK) or £300 (overseas), and offers means-tested bursaries and academic/sports scholarships. Beyond classroom teaching it runs the 'Beyond' co-curricular programme with 100+ clubs, the OX14 peer-coaching scheme, wraparound care from 7:30am to 6pm, and a six-county bus service.

Product overview

St Helen and St Katharine is an independent day school for girls aged 7-18 located in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. The school operates a single unified educational offering organized by school phase: St Helen and St Katharine Prep (Years 3-6, ages 7-11) which will expand from September 2027 to include Years 3-4; Lower School (Year 7, age 11); Middle School (Year 9, age 13); and Sixth Form (Years 12-13, ages 16-18). Beyond the core academic curriculum, the school provides an extensive co-curricular programme called 'Beyond' with over 100 clubs and societies, the OX14 Academic Coaching Programme for peer-to-peer academic support, the SHSK Sounds podcast series, and the SHSK Thinks publication platform. The school also offers wraparound care from 7:30am to 5:15pm and bus services across six counties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• St Helen and St Katharine Prep Junior preparation school programme for girls in Years 5-6 currently, expanding from September 2027 to include Years 3 and 4 (ages 7-11). The Prep operates from a dedicated building with specialist Science, Technology, Art and Design facilities while retaining access to senior school resources, providing continuous education from age seven.
• Lower School Year 7 (age 11) entry programme delivering a broad and balanced curriculum built on athletic development principles and fundamental movement skills, with sport-specific teaching integrated across the curriculum. This is the main entry point for the senior school.
• Middle School Year 9 (age 13) entry programme offering curriculum pathway choices including GCSE options, building on the physical skills acquired in Lower School with theoretical knowledge of health-related fitness.
• Sixth Form A level and pre-university programme for Lower and Upper Sixth (Years 12-13, ages 16-18) with compulsory PE, subject options including A level Theology, Physics, Spanish, Physical Education, Psychology and Politics, and a new dedicated Sixth Form centre facility. Minimum five 9-7 (A*-A) GCSE grades required for admission.
• Beyond Co-curricular Programme Broad and varied co-curricular programme encompassing over 100 clubs and societies including sports, music, drama, art, academic enrichment, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, computer science, Bug Club and creative writing. Activities run as part of the school's 'Beyond' branding.
• OX14 Academic Coaching Programme Peer-to-peer academic coaching programme pairing trained Sixth Form students with younger students seeking academic support. Over 70 Sixth Form coaches are trained annually in coaching conversations to help students work on personal targets; the programme is in its sixth year of operation.
• SHSK Sounds Podcast School podcast series featuring student discussions on topics including social media, sleep science, and conversations with heads of other girls' schools. Used as a content platform for the school community and prospective families.
• SHSK Thinks Publication platform featuring essays and thought pieces from students and staff on topics including education, economics, theology, diversity and school life. Functions as the school's thought-leadership outlet.

Quantifiable outcome

• 92.1% of GCSE results in 2025 were grades 9-7
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.

• RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Junior Department (SHSK Prep) participates in the RSPB Wild Challenge, completing activities to experience and help nature across Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. Students have engaged in activities including whittling, making bird feeders, planting wildflower meadows, and making bug hotels. The school has been awarded 'Schools For Nature' accreditation through this engagement.
• Oxford School Sail TrainingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDuring Michaelmas and Trinity terms, students take sailing and watersports lessons at Farmoor Reservoir, supported by Oxford School Sail Training. Sessions teach problem-solving and communication skills, and students can participate in regattas and events through the year.
• HMC (Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference)minorOthersThe school is a member of HMC, a leading association of independent schools. Member schools meet high standards and share best practices.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Wycombe Abbey: Top-tier independent girls' boarding school; benchmark peer on academic outcomes and single-sex premium positioning, though operating model is boarding-led.
• Badminton School: Independent girls' school in Bristol offering day and boarding places; comparable size, single-sex model and selective admissions process.
• North London Collegiate School: Highly selective independent girls' day school with outstanding GCSE and A level outcomes; directly comparable on academic calibre and parental positioning.
• St Paul's Girls' School: Premier London independent girls' day school; benchmark peer on academic outcomes, Oxbridge progression and single-sex premium positioning.
• Royal High School Bath (GDST): GDST girls' day school in Bath with similar age range, academic profile and selective entry; directly comparable in operating model.
• Headington School: Independent day and boarding school for girls in Oxford, providing a directly comparable single-sex premium day-school offering to families in the same Oxfordshire catchment.
• Oxford High School (GDST): GDST girls' day school in Oxford serving a similar age range and local parent base; comparable academic and co-curricular positioning to St Helen and St Katharine.
• The Perse School: Independent day school in Cambridge with a strong academic record and similar HMC standing; directly comparable premium UK day-school operating model.
• James Allen's Girls' School (JAGS): Leading London-based independent girls' day school with comparable selective admissions, academic results, and broad co-curricular programme.
• Downe House: Independent girls' boarding school with strong academic results and Oxbridge pipeline; comparable in mission and alumnae outcomes despite boarding versus day model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC
• Facebookfacebook.com/sharer.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/shskschool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/shskschool

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about St Helen and St Katharine