Welcome to the Sixth Form
It is a pleasure to welcome your daughter to the Sixth Form at Habs Girls. These are transformative years – full of challenge, opportunity and growth – and we are delighted to walk alongside our students as they take their first steps into young adulthood. Whether arriving from within our school or joining us anew, every Sixth Former becomes part of a vibrant, ambitious, and supportive community, where each individual is known, encouraged and expected to flourish.
At Habs, we believe the Sixth Form should be more than a stepping-stone to university. It is a place of curiosity and independence, where academic ambition goes hand-in-hand with the development of confidence, resilience, and purpose. Our students are stretched by expert teaching and inspired by opportunities to lead, explore and contribute beyond the classroom. We are proud of the breadth of co-curricular life, the strength of relationships and the culture of integrity and kindness that underpins all we do.
We are also fortunate to share our campus with Habs Boys. This unique collaboration allows our Sixth Formers to benefit from co-taught lessons, joint activities, and shared leadership, whilst remaining part of two distinct but closely aligned schools. The result is a dynamic and diverse learning environment, rich in perspectives and grounded in mutual respect.
Above all, our Sixth Form is designed to prepare your daughter for life – intellectually, socially and emotionally. We aim to foster not only strong academic outcomes, but also the curiosity, maturity and clarity of purpose that will guide her long after she leaves Habs.
We look forward to working in partnership with families over the next two years and to seeing all that our Sixth Formers will achieve.
MRS CAMILLA MILSOM ASSISTANT HEAD HEAD OF SIXTH FORM
About the School
There are approximately 800 students aged 11 to 18 in the Senior School.
Whenever students join, whether it be from our Junior School, Year 7, through an occasional place or at Year 12, there is a broad and challenging curriculum for them to relish. As a school we believe in lessons that have both pace and rigour as defining characteristics. Academic excellence is a product of our approach to active and independent learning, with practical tasks and problem solving enabling our students to develop their understanding in the deepest sense.
Enthusiasm and excitement are key, as is providing the stimulus for discussion and debate.
Students love to be challenged and have an insatiable curiosity about the world around them. Parents are welcomed into the school to support the curriculum. There are Curriculum Evenings for parents to learn about our approach to particular subject areas and how they can best support you at home; we firmly believe that students do best when school and home are working in true partnership.
Our values
Our values are what we hold dear as a school, the core beliefs that we stand for. They should drive all decisions and actions.
Ambition
We are bold and ambitious – for ourselves, but also for others and for the world. This is underpinned by our altruistic and philanthropic foundation, which drives our values and behaviours. We expect everyone to give their best, to stretch boundaries, and to challenge the status quo. We believe that ambition can be limitless. When combined with courage, curiosity and community, ambition can be a selfless and powerful lever for change.
Curiosity
We create and use every opportunity to engage with the world around us; we ask questions, challenge assumptions and express our ideas. Alongside our academic interests and skills, we also love to exercise our imaginations, creativity and spirituality. Our broad and carefully curated curriculum leads us into experiences of awe and wonder – bringing a sense of magic and excitement to learning.
Courage
Exploring beyond our comfort zones enables us to become more self-aware, adventurous, resilient and independent. We aim high, following our dreams, but we cope well if we don’t always succeed. We understand how to balance humility and boldness when speaking out on behalf of ourselves and others. And we are unflinching problem-solvers, continually seeking to change the world for the better.
Community
Habs is one caring, respectful community on one fabulous campus. Our focus is on belonging and inclusivity: celebrating our differences, not in spite of our differences. Beyond our students and staff, this sense of collaborative togetherness extends to our families, alumni, partner schools, and even the world. We’re helping to learn from and empower wider communities – locally, nationally and globally. We bring the world to our door, but we also step through that door into the wider world.
Sixth Form Induction Day
Friday 5 September 2025
8.15am to 2.30pm
Induction Day takes place a day before term officially starts for all pupils. During Induction Day, your daughter will take part in a series of fun activities to help her get to know others in her form and year group.
We invite all parents, guardians and students to join the Senior Leadership Team, Sixth Form Team and Tutors for breakfast and presentations from 8.15am to 9.45am.
Staff will be in the coach and car park to welcome and guide you to the Dining Room. Please arrive between 8.15am and 8.30am.
Induction Day will end at around 2.30pm, students will be shown back to the coach or car park.
WE ASK STUDENTS TO:
- Attend wearing full Sixth Form dress code
- Bring their school bag, some pens and their school issued device (if they have one)
- Bring a packed lunch if they are not using the school dining room
- Students will not need any kit on this day
- Students can bring a mobile phone but it needs to be switched off when they arrive at school
INDUCTION DAY COACH SERVICE FOR ALL
Any student can use the coaches on Induction Day, whether or not they are registered as a regular user for the service. There is no charge, but your daughter will need to book a ticket to reserve a seat.
Information on how to reserve a seat on this service will be sent by the Transport Manager during the summer break.
A bespoke timetable will be in operation for Induction Day covering the popular stops on our usual home-to-school service. The timetable for this service will be published in the transport newsletter which will be sent to all parents. The return service will depart from school at approximately 2.30pm and follow the bespoke published timetable.
We encourage everyone to use the Induction Day coach service to give students a taste of the experience of arriving and departing school from the coach park and the opportunity to meet some of our expert home to school coach drivers.
From Monday 8 September your daughter will become part of a 1,700 student strong coach community and the orientation provided on Induction Day together with the information in the Home to School Coach Terms of Service will ensure she is equipped for her journey on the coaches.
STUDENTS TRAVELLING TO SCHOOL BY CAR
If you are driving your daughter to school on Induction Day, please ensure you enter via the main gate on Aldenham Road. You will be directed to the school drop off area just before our security barriers. There will be marshals to direct the driver into one or two lanes, where you can drop off your daughter.
Fees
Academic year 2025/26
Please click here for information regarding our Fees in Advance Scheme.
Please click here for information regarding our Fees in advance calculator.
Please click here for information regarding our School Fee Plan.
Please click here for information regarding our Coach prices.
Fees refund scheme
Please click here for more information on our Fees Refund Scheme.
Please click here for further detail on the Scheme.
Insurance cover information
AXA Health Insurance
School Fee Plan
Claiming school fees when your daughter is off sick
Marsh pupils' absence insurance
Marsh pupils' absence insurance scheme questions and answers
Medical Centre information
Parents and guardians will be contacted if their daughter requires liquid paracetamol, ibuprofen or antihistamine during the school day, if they haven’t already provided consent.
SICKNESS
If your daughter is unwell, e.g. has a raised temperature, has episodes of diarrhoea or vomiting, please ensure that she waits 48 hours after the symptoms have stopped before she returns to school.
COLLECTION OF UNWELL CHILDREN FROM SCHOOL
It is important that a parent or guardian is always available to collect your daughter should she not be well enough to remain in school. Please let her Form Tutor know as soon as possible if you will be unavailable for collection and provide an alternative contact number for a suitable guardian who can act on your behalf in case of an emergency.
GENERAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Please keep us updated, via your child’s Form Tutor, of any changes to your daughter's wellbeing such as hospital admissions, illnesses or new medication. We also ask that you inform us of any significant events such as divorce or bereavement which may affect your daughter emotionally.
We are always happy to talk about any existing medical conditions that your daughter might have and how this could influence our care of her in school, e.g. food allergies/diabetes/asthma/any severe reactions your daughter has had which requires use of an AAI (Adrenaline Auto Injector).
Any relevant information will be shared with the appropriate staff members if it is essential to your daughter's wellbeing. If she develops any contagious disease such as chicken pox, measles, etc. then please inform the Medical Centre as soon as possible.
PRESCRIBED AND OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS FROM HOME
Your daughter is not permitted to carry any medication (either prescribed or over the counter) on the school site other than an emergency inhaler/AAI as agreed with the School Nurses. If your daughter requires any prescription medicine to be taken at school then please complete the ‘Request for School to Dispense Prescription Medicines’ form on the Habs App. She will need to bring the completed form to the Medical Centre along with the medication to be dispensed immediately upon arrival at school. It is your daughter's responsibility to attend the Medical Centre to be given your medication.
Communication
We are always happy to answer any questions that parents and guardians have, big or small.
Parents can call Reception on 020 8266 2300, who will direct them to the relevant member of staff. The School Nurse can also be contacted through Reception. If you or students have any pastoral or academic concerns, please contact your daughter's Tutor in the first instance.
LETTERS
We upload parent information letters to the Habs App.
EMAILS
We encourage an open dialogue but remind you that Tutors and other members of the pastoral team are teachers and so unable to respond immediately to emails. We ask staff to endeavour to get back to emails within two working days. In an emergency, please contact Reception who will direct your query to someone who can respond more quickly.
PARENTS' EVENING
There will be two parents’ evenings which provide an opportunity for you to meet with your daughter's teachers and discuss her progress. If you have any concerns during the school year, you must not hesitate to contact her Tutor.
PROGRESS GRADES
Students are given progress grades every half term. You can access these via the Habs App. These grades allow Form Tutors to track their progress.
HOMEWORK
If you have concerns about the time your daughter is spending on homework (either too little or too much), please get in touch with your daughter's Tutor. We do not want her to spend all evening working, as it is important that she has time to relax.
INDIVIDUAL NEEDS
Our Individual Needs policy makes sure that every student at Habs enjoys personal and academic success. We believe in the importance of sustaining a close partnership with parents and guardians so we can provide the appropriate support. The Head of Academic Support co-ordinates a team consisting of our specialist teacher, senior academic and senior pastoral staff.
Support can occur at various levels in school life, e.g. through your daughter's form tutor, Head of Year, subject teachers, study support sessions and learning skills programmes. Our Individual Needs policy is available on the school website here
It is important to make us aware if your daughter has any identified specific learning needs (e.g. dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, hypermobility, visual impairments and hearing impairments) so we can provide the best support for her.
Important websites
Students will be given an email account which teachers can email them on. They will receive login in details and further information once they start at Habs. Students will also have a Microsoft Teams account.
Habs App:
The Parent Portal contains a host of important information and is where you can email the school or form tutors regarding absences or any other matter. The portal holds all school reports, progress grades, letters, school timetable, school calendar, school blog, and coach service bookings.
To find out how to download and use the app click on the links below for further information:
HABS PARENT APP
HOW TO USE THE APP
Parent Pay:
PARENTPAY.COM
This website is where you can pay for your daughter's school lunch. Once you have set up your login, you will be able to view what they eat every day and how much they have spent.
SOCS:
SOCSCMS.COM/LOGIN/129
This is the website where students in Year 1 to Year 13 sign up for co-curricular clubs.
Evolve: PAYING EVENTS
This website is used for all trip bookings, paid for events and for parents to give consent.
Tooled Up parent resource
TOOLEDUPEDUCATION.COM
Our school is a ‘Tooled Up Education’ school. This means, in addition to all that we do at school to help students, we also care about supporting parents and families.
Attendance
The school must be informed of absence for any reason, either planned or unplanned. If students are absent for any reason, work will not be provided. We request that absences are kept to a minimum.
ILLNESS - FIRST DAY OF ABSENCE
An illness should be reported to the school on the first day of absence before 8am using any of the following options:
- Email the absence team absencegirls@habselstree.org.uk
- Call the Absence Line 020 8266 2300 and selecting option 1
- Completing the Absence Information form on the Habs App
MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS
If possible, medical appointments should be made during the holidays. If this is not possible, parents should please email your daughter's Tutor, asking permission for them to be absent.
ABSENCE REQUEST FOR EXTENUATING FAMILY CIRCUMSTANCES
Write to the Headmistress a minimum of two weeks in advance at HMGirls@habselstree.org.uk
SPORTS FIXTURE ATTENDANCE
If your daughter is unable to attend a fixture, then please let the team coach know directly with at least seven days’ notice. If she is ill on the day of the game, you must email the Director of Sport or the team coach directly.
Parents and guardians are warmly invited to watch as many fixtures as possible.
Introducing our Parents’ Guild
We are excited to introduce to parents and guardians our St. Catherine Parents’ Guild.
This is the official name of the Parents’ Association at Habs Girls, named after the school’s patron saint, but you will often hear it referred to simply as the Guild.
Run by both Junior and Senior School parents, you will automatically become a member of the Guild when your daughter joins.
The Guild is a great way for parents and guardians to get more involved in school life – enabling you to get to know other parents across year groups and within your daughter's class and House groups.
There are several social and fundraising events throughout the year organised and run by the Guild, including a Fireworks Extravaganza, Quiz Night, Vintage Tea Party, Junior Disco and a Summer Fun Day. These events are fantastic opportunities to socialise with other parents from across both school communities.
Committee meetings are open to all parents every half term, so please do come along to hear the latest news about events and how you can help. You can also share any ideas or hidden talents with us.
If would like any further information, including more details about the half termly meetings, please do not hesitate to contact the Guild by emailing stcatherineparentsguild@gmail.com.
