SENIOR SCHOOL
Term Dates and Holidays
Autumn Term 2026
Induction for Year 7 and Year 12 pupils:
Term starts:
Half Term:
End of Term:
Monday 7th September (coaches will not be running)
Tuesday 8th September
Monday 19th October – Friday 30th October
Tuesday 15th December
Spring Term 2027
Term starts:
Half Term:
End of Term:
Thursday 7th January
Monday 15th February – Friday 19th February
Wednesday 24th March
Summer Term 2027
Term starts:
Half Term:
End of Term:
Tuesday 13th April
Monday 31st May – Friday 4th June
Wednesday 7th July
Dear Parents and Guardians
A very warm welcome to St Helen’s School. We are delighted that your daughter is joining our kind and vibrant community, and we look forward to getting to know both her and your family as you become part of life at St Helen’s.
This is the beginning of an exciting journey – one full of learning, growth, and opportunity. At the heart of everything we do is a strong belief in the potential of each individual girl, and we are committed to supporting her academically, socially and personally as she begins this new chapter.
We know that a successful and happy school experience is built on a close partnership between home and school. We truly value the relationship we build with our families, and we encourage you to engage fully with us as we work together in the best interests of your daughter.
This guide has been designed to provide key information to help you and your daughter settle in smoothly. We hope you find it useful, and we encourage you to reach out with any questions or thoughts you may have – no matter how small.
We look forward to a positive and collaborative relationship over the coming years.
With best wishes,
Mrs Bridget Ward Head
Learner Habits and Character Attributes
Our academic, pastoral and Co-curricular activities enable our pupils to develop and cherish our Learner Habits and Character Attributes, which together will enable them to fulfil our Vision Statement:
“ Our pupils will be ever intellectually curious. They will believe they can do anything. They will want to explore how they can best interact with the world around them and make a difference for the better in their own way. They will be ready for whatever the future brings.”
Learner Habits
• Pursuit of Knowledge
• Problem-solving
• Creativity
• Metacognition
• Digital Intelligence
Character Attributes
• Courage
• Integrity
• Resilience
• Kindness
• Emotional Intelligence
Communication between Home and School
We appreciate close communication between home and school. If you have a query about day-to-day activities, please contact the School Office in the first instance.
Contacting the Senior School Office
The School Office deals with routine enquiries and attendance matters. If the office is not available, please leave a message and a member of the team will return your call during working hours.
Tel: 01923 843210
E-mail: enquiries@sthelens.london
Any questions concerning fees or the termly bill should be directed to the Accounts Department.
Account Queries
Tel: 01923 843347
E-mail: accounts@sthelens.london
Pastoral Teams
Your daughter’s Form Tutor and relevant Assistant Director will write to you at the start of the year to introduce themselves and give you their email addresses. You can also contact them by emailing or by telephoning the Senior School Office.
Pastoral care that is tailored to the child is of the utmost importance to us and we pride ourselves on knowing each and every pupil as an individual. Sometimes events at home can have an impact on behaviour and performance in school. Please keep us informed of any such circumstances so that we can provide the best possible support for your daughter.
Parent portal and Communications
The parent portal provides access to several services to help support parental interaction with the school, including school policies and confidential information about your child such as medical information, attendance data and annual reports. You can update your contact details or notify the school of a change of address via the parent portal. It also provides access to SchoolPost, where you can view electronic copies of letters and emails. Further services such as WisePay, absence reporting, our parents’ evening booking system and the school calendar can be found here. The pastoral team provide a wealth of useful information about important topics such as mental health, wellbeing and online safety on the parent portal, and this is regularly updated.
The parent portal can be accessed securely at schoolportal.sthelens.london.
The main ‘comms drop’ in Senior School is Thursdays at 4pm. This is when parents and carers can expect to receive the bulk of the week’s communications pertaining to their daughter or their daughter’s year group. There may be the occasional message which cannot wait until the Thursday comms drop or which slips through the net, but hopefully these are the exception.
In addition to the weekly comms drop, parents & carers will receive a Weekly Bulletin.
Communicating about Trips, Events and Co-curricular Opportunities
All letters providing information about trips are sent via EVOLVE evolve.notifications@edufocus.co.uk. All letters providing information about events and Co-curricular activities are sent to parents via SchoolPost. Details of Cocurricular activities and sports fixtures are available on SOCS.
We have a clear system for responses and payment deadlines relating to trips, trials, sports fixtures and events, so that we can safely offer the range and quality of educational experiences to all pupils. We aim to make it clear in our communications to which of the following categories the opportunity belongs:
• Compulsory educational visits, which are part of the taught curriculum (you will always be given the opportunity to withdraw your daughter from a trip)
• Optional educational visits and other events, for which you can opt-in on behalf of your daughter
• Sports trials, auditions, and academic opportunities for which explicit parental consent is required
Reporting Progress
Throughout every pupils career at St Helen’s, her work will be assessed, progress recorded and areas for improvement identified. We report this data to parents at various stages through the academic year so that you have a clear picture of your daughter’s learning profile and progress.
Reported data encompasses attainment, organisational grades and learner descriptors. This will help us to work with you in encouraging your daughter to learn effectively. Beyond these regular reporting points, individual Tutors, Heads of Department and Assistant Directors will, of course, contact you if they have any cause for concern.
Parents’ Evenings
Parents’ Evenings are an opportunity for you to meet your daughter’s subject Tutors face to face. We encourage you to attend with your daughter so that everyone is clear about the next steps in her learning.
You can book an appointment with a Tutor using our online Parents’ Evening booking system. You will receive guidance and login details for this in your Parents’ Evening invitation letter.
Attendance and Routines
Attendance at School is a legal requirement and St Helen’s follows the government statutory guidance on attendance. Accurate registration is vital for the safety and security of our pupils.
Please use the parent portal to record all absences, both planned and unplanned using the appropriate form. If your daughter is unwell and unable to attend school, please use the ‘Unplanned Absences on the Day’ form, which can be found on the parent portal. Click the tab entitled ‘My Children’ and select ‘Report an Absence’ from the menu on the left of the screen. Under ‘Reason’ select ‘Unplanned Absences on the Day’ to report her absence before 8.15am on each day that she is absent.
If you are unable to do this through the portal, please contact the School Office at schoolabsence@sthelens.london before 8.15am or by calling 01923 843210, leaving your daughter’s name and year group in a message. This should be followed by a confirmation email when you are able to. Parents should, wherever possible, schedule medical/dental appointments outside of school hours.
If your daughter has an appointment during the school day, please use the ‘Pre-Planned Appointments’ form on the parent portal. Click the tab entitled ‘My Children’ and select ‘Report an absence’ from the menu on the left of the screen. Under ‘Reason’ select Pre-Planned Appointments. For emergency appointments, or those arranged at short notice, please ring the School Office, they will then contact the relevant Director.
Any request for absence from school for religious observance should be made using the Religious Absence form which can be found on the parent portal. Click the tab entitled ‘My Children’ and select ‘Report an absence’ from the menu on the left of the screen. Under ‘Reason’ select ‘Religious Absence form’ or ‘Exceptional Absence’.
If your daughter needs excusing from a PE lesson, please write a letter stating the problem and how long the condition is likely to last. We ask you to write these notes as infrequently as possible. If your daughter is off PE for more than one week, we will require a letter from a doctor. If girls arrive late to school, they should immediately sign the Late Book in the School Office and document the reason for their lateness.
Financial Matters
Our Financial Matters letter contains important information about school fees, school lunches, payment systems (including Wisepay) and your school account. Please read this carefully.
Download and read the Financial Matters information
Devices Information
Our Devices Information letter contains important information your School lease device. Please read this carefully.
Download and read the Devices information
Permission for Biometric Registration
The school relies on an electronic recognition system using fingerprint technology similar to that used on smartphones and devices, for the following systems:
• Cashless catering for lunches, food in the tuck shop and at vending machines
• Registering attendance (Sixth Form only)
Please read our Biometric Registration letter carefully.
Download and read the Biometric Registration information
Languages and Ethnicity Survey
In line with government guidance, we seek information about your child’s ethnicity, using the categories that the government has recommended. We also seek information about the language(s) your child uses or is regularly exposed to outside of school, and about the language you consider to be their main language. This information helps us to be more knowledgeable about your child, and for us to understand whether she may need any additional support in school. If we feel this is the case, we will be in touch with you to discuss in the first instance. The Languages and Ethnicity Survey can be found on the parent portal.
Pastoral Matters
If your daughter has any worries, she should talk to her Form Tutor, Director, any of the Pastoral Support Leads, or any other member of staff. She may also talk to her Sixth Form Year Leader or Senior Sister.
All girls in Year 7 have a Senior Sister in Year 9 who they will retain as they move up through the School.
If pupils would like to discuss anything with a professional who is independent of school and home, they can self-refer via email to our Wellbeing Service (WBS). A professional will see them in school and recommend a plan of action – this might include a course of counselling through the WBS.
The WBS is confidential, apart from safeguarding issues arise which compromise anybody’s safety. In these situations, the individual involved will be informed that the Senior Deputy Head: Pastoral and Wellbeing (who is the School’s Designated Safeguarding Lead –DSL) needs to be included to provide the most appropriate support.
Illness During the School Day
Our school Nurse is based in the Medical Room and is available Monday to Friday 8am-4.30pm for accidents or illnesses that arise during the school day. We also have Staff First Aiders available.
Please do not send your daughter to school if she is unwell before leaving home. If your daughter feels ill during the school day, she must visit the School Nurse in the Medical Room, who is on hand to provide support and will contact you if your daughter is unable to remain in school.
Prescribed Medication
Girls are not allowed to carry medicines on their person or in their school bag. If it is necessary to bring in prescribed medication, such as antibiotics, these must be handed in its original packaging to the school Nurse for safe-keeping and she will make sure that it is taken at the correct time. An Administration of Medication form must also be completed and handed in with the medication – this can be found on the parent portal.
Inhalers and epi-pens are the only medication that the girls are to carry with them. Under no circumstances are girls to give medication to or take medication from other girls.
Injuries and Medical Conditions
If your daughter has an injury or medical condition that affects her mobility, please contact the school Nurse to discuss her return to school. This allows us to make appropriate arrangements and reasonable adjustments to support your daughter and ensure her safety on the school site. Please remember to ensure that your daughter’s medical record is kept up to date. The Nurse can be contacted via the School Office and by email at nurse@sthelens.london.
Routines: Before School
Registration takes place at 8.30am and most girls arrive between 8.10am and 8.25am to organise themselves for the day ahead. Girls are permitted to arrive any time from 7.30am but must sign in at Main Reception if they arrive before 8am. They must remain in the Dining Hall if they are on site between 7.30am and 8am. Girls are expected to be in their Form Room for registration by 8.30am unless they are involved in an authorised and supervised activity, in which case they should sign in with the staff leader of this activity.
Routines: After School
Girls staying for after-school activities or Library study must be registered at the activity they are involved with. Clubs, PE and Music rehearsals are detailed in the Co-curricular programme which is updated termly. The Library is open until 5.30pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, and until 5.00pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.
If a pupil cannot be collected from school as planned, they should report to the School Office for assistance.
We have a two-week timetable (Week A and Week B) and lessons are 55 minutes long:
• Six lessons on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Five lessons on Wednesdays and Fridays with an assembly or Tutor time (the school day ends at 3.35pm on these two days)
There are no school bells, so it’s important that girls keep a close eye on the time to make sure they arrive punctually to their lessons and other activities. We give the girls their timetables and the timings of the day at the start of the Autumn Term; these can be referenced via their calendar on Microsoft Teams.
Years 7-9
For many pupils, one of the biggest changes when moving to Senior School is that different subjects are taught in
different rooms. We spend time in September ensuring that the girls know where their lessons will take place, and they soon become confident at finding their way around the site.
The curriculum is appropriately varied and challenging. Up until the end of Year 9, all pupils study
• Mathematics
• English
• Science (a combined Science course in
Year 7 separate Biology, Physics and Chemistry lessons fromYear 8)
• Geography
• History
• Latin
• Drama
• Music
• Religious Studies
• Art
• Design & Technology
• Computer Science
• PE They also study two Modern Foreign Languages, choosing from:
• French
• German
• Mandarin
• Spanish
For most subject pupils are taught in mixedability groups, although they are broadly banded by ability in Mathematics in Years 8 and 9. This ensures that your daughter can work in Maths with confidence and at a pace and depth which suits her needs most appropriately.
GCSE Choices
In Year 9 the girls begin to make important choices about the subjects they want to study to GCSE; we will give them plenty of information, support and individually tailored advice when making these choices. We will also invite you to an information evening about the options process and the transition to Year 10.
All pupils take GCSE or IGCSE courses in English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Science, a Language and one of the Humanities. In addition to this core programme, pupils choose two further option subjects from an extensive range.
Homework
Homework is an important part of the learning process; the tasks set will provide opportunities to consolidate understanding, extend thinking beyond the taught curriculum or prepare for future learning e.g. new concepts and ideas which will be further developed in class.
Our approach to Homework in Years 7-11 aims to gradually develop pupils as reflective, independent learners. There is an emphasis on building literacy through homework and on setting short, targeted tasks to support progress across the curriculum. Each academic subject has an age-appropriate maximum homework allocation per year group, per fortnight. In Year 7 pupils are given a homework timetable with some specified subject slots, plus several slots allocated to self-directed study. These self-directed study slots are designed to encourage pupils to work independently; their Form Tutors will help them to develop strategies to use this time most effectively.
Year 7 pupils will not be set any homework for the first two weeks of the Autumn Term to give them a chance to find their feet and get organised.
As pupils move through the Senior School, they are expected to plan their work schedule more independently, preparing them for success A Level.
Your daughter will be paired with a ‘study buddy’ in her teaching group from whom she can collect any instructions or resources she requires to catch up if she misses learning because of absence. All work which has a deadline for completion is set via assignments on Microsoft Teams.
All pupils have a secure school email address which they can use to contact Tutors about their learning. It is important that we are aware if your daughter is struggling with her homework, so, if she struggles with assignments, or if individual tasks are taking a long time to complete, we ask you to direct her to her subject teachers.
Study Skills
Developing good organisation and time management skills is important for success at school. Pupils need a quiet and calm place to work where they can spread out their books, away from distractions like televisions and mobile phones.
Pupils are welcome to work in the Library each day after school (until 5.30pm on Mon/Tues/Thurs and until 5pm on Wed/Fri) if this quiet space is difficult to find at home.
The school has made rapid progress in its provision of digital learning and pupils can now access most resources through their personal Surface devices, via Microsoft Teams and OneNote. They can retrieve and store information in one secure space by uploading their marked work, for example, access a wide range of digital tools to complete tasks in a manner that suits their learning needs, work collaboratively on tasks, and contact their teachers about improving their work.
Tutors use a blended approach in the classroom, combining the most successful traditional teaching and learning methods with modern technology to enable the girls to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding.
The PSHCE programme (Personal, Social, Health and Citizenship Education) supports pupils with their all-round development and keeps them informed about key issues that affect their personal and social life, so that they can make informed decisions about their future. It also helps them work out what sort of citizens they want to be, and in Years 7-8, this includes lessons in character education.
The programme, led by Form Tutors and outside speakers, includes statutory Relationships and Sex Education. It tackles issues such as friendships, self-esteem, bullying, internet safety, smoking, and equality and diversity. We always communicate with parents in advance if we are due to cover a particularly sensitive topic which may be difficult for some pupils.
Co-curricular Opportunities
Our Co-curricular provision aims to enrich and enhance the lives, personal development and wellbeing of every girl, igniting new and existing passions as well as hidden talents.
An impressive range of Co-curricular activities enhances our academic programme. Activities may be offered before school, during lunchtime and after school, and include a range of Music, Sport and Drama activities as well as many other Clubs and Societies.
We publish a full timetable of the Cocurricular activities on offer to the girls at the start of each term on Teams. In September we also hold a Co-curricular Fair for Years 7-9.
Pupils and parents will also be able to access Co-curricular information via SOCS. You can find information on how to access and make use of SOCS in our guide here.
The most up to date list of Clubs and Societies is also published on the parent portal.
All girls new into the school undertake a swimming assessment in the first half of the Autumn Term during their normal PE lesson. This assessment will involve swimming all of the main strokes and water confidence skills we need to ensure that all girls are able to swim a minimum of 25 metres.
Co-curricular Lessons
The school offers several Co-curricular opportunities for which an additional charge is made (LAMDA, Individual Music lessons, Ballet). Our Senior School Co-curricular Guide outlines the offer, describes how the school manages these lessons and explains how these activities are billed.
Please download and read the Senior School Individual Study Co-curricular Guide, and complete any relevant booking forms.
Download and read the Senior School Individual Study Cocurricular Guide, and complete the relevant booking form
Sports Teams
Our Sports clubs and squads are open to all pupils. Should your daughter be selected to represent the school for a competitive fixture, our expectation is that she will attend all practices and matches. If she is unable to do so, she must see the member of staff involved a week in advance.
It is an honour to be selected to represent the school and regular commitment to school teams is held in high regard. All information regarding sporting fixtures and clubs/squads will be put on SOCS.
The House System
All girls will be assigned to one of our four School Houses:
House meetings are held fortnightly and there are various House competitions, activities and events held throughout the school year. This is to encourage pupils to mix with those from other year groups, fostering an atmosphere of team spirit and friendly rivalry! House points are awarded for a variety of activities and tallied up at the end of the year. The biggest (and loudest!) House event of the school year is House Arts which takes place in July, just before the end of term. All pupils watch the House Arts performances, and are able to get involved. The House with the most House points receives the House cup at the Final Assembly of the year.
Kahlo
Bronte
Seacole
Franklin
Conduct in the School Community
Clear rules help us to ensure the smooth running of the school day, as well as pupils’ safety and security. Girls are made aware of our Code of Conduct, which is displayed in Form rooms. Above all, our pupils act with consideration and sensitivity towards others in our community. They respect the school’s resources and other people’s possessions.
We appreciate your support with some of our key school rules:
Pupils must arrive promptly for Registration at 8.30am each morning. Anyone who arrives late must sign in at the School Office.
Pupils staying at the end of the day to participate in school or Co-curricular activities, or to study in the Library, must ensure that they are registered by the organiser. Girls not involved in supervised activities must leave the site within 10 minutes of the end of the school day.
Mobile phones
Only basic ‘brick’ phones (nonsmartphones) may be brought into school by pupils who will be in Years 6, 7 and 8.
In Years 7 and 8, if a phone is brought into school at all, this must be a ‘brick’ phone and must be secured in a ‘Yondr’ pouch at morning Form Time until the end of the school day. These ‘brick’ phones should be used only for sensible communications before and after school hours, and with due regard to our Pupil Behaviour and Online Safety Policies.
For the purposes of our new policy, a ‘brick’ phone is a phone which has:
• No WIFI capacity
• No access to an app store or capacity to add additional apps beyond those provided by the manufacturer at purchase
• No access to social media
Pupils in Year 9-11 are allowed to bring smartphones into school. The phone must be secured in a ‘Yondr’ pouch at morning Form Time until the end of the school day.
Download and read the New Smartphone-Free Policy
Reporting Parent Concerns
We hope that we will be able to resolve any concerns you may have informally through dialogue with your daughter’s Form Tutor or through the appropriate Director. However, should your concern remain unresolved after these steps, please do contact the Deputy Head Pastoral or the Senior Deputy Head. You can also consult our Complaints Policy which can be found on the parent portal.
Rewards
Staff at St Helen’s are eager to reward pupils for displaying the Character Attributes and Learner Habits that we aim to instil from Year 7 upwards. Commendations are awarded not just for achievement (excellent work, top marks), but also for effort, progress, problem-solving, pursuit of knowledge, as well as all the interpersonal
skills that we aim to develop in our students. Commendations are awarded through iSAMs and visible to parents and students through the parent portal.
Upon achieving 20, 40, 60 or 100 commendations in any academic year, girls are rewarded as per below:
Senior School Uniform Guide
We take great pride in our smart, coherent and bespoke uniform and PE kit. All regulation items are supplied by Pullens, our official uniform supplier. Items can be fitted and purchased in store or ordered online at uniform4kids.com. During term time, this includes an option for collection from school.
Pullens
48/50 Church Road
Stanmore
Middlesex
HA7 4AH
020 8954 3850
Download Pullens’ price list
Second-hand Uniform Sales
Second-hand uniform can be purchased from the school. The shop is open once every half term – dates will be advertised on the school calendar and in the School Newsletter. These are usually scheduled towards the end of half term. Please direct any queries to enquiries@sthelens.london.
Naming Personal Belongings
All clothing and personal items must be clearly named in a permanent manner (for example, inside a collar) to make it easier for girls to identify their own clothing and that of others.
Personalised label suppliers can be sourced online, including:
www.nameitlabels.co.uk www.wovenlabelsuk.com
Uniform List Years 7-11
• Regulation green v-neck jumper
• Regulation pleated skirt 20” or 22” length
• OR Regulation trousers: black ‘bootleg’ style
• Regulation blouse long-sleeved in Autumn and Spring terms, short-sleeved in Summer term
• Plain black outdoor coat a suitable black “3-in-1” coat is available from Pullens, if desired
• Scarf plain green or plain black (optional)
• Tights black, opaque for years 7-9 and black for years 10-11
• Ankle socks for Summer Term green or plain white (no trainer liner socks please)
• Shoes black leather heeled, lace-up or buckle, max heel high 5cm. No patent shoes, no trainer-style shoes, no ankle boots, no flat ballet pumps.
• “Active Backcare” black backpack (optional/recommended)
PE Kit Years 7-11
• Regulation performance polo shirt
• Regulation full-zip tracksuit jacket
• Regulation midlayer
• Regulation tracksuit bottoms or black sports leggings (squad players must have St Helen’s leggings)
• Regulation skort black with green panel
• Regulation technical shorts black with embroidered school logo
• Regulation socks black/green/white
• Regulation sports holdall embroidered with school logo
• Sports trainers: lace-up, supportive, no fashion footwear or plimsolls
• White ankle socks
• Black swimsuit ‘Speedo’ recommended
• Swimming cap in House colour*
• Bathing towel for swimming
• Shin pads years 7 and 8 for hockey and football
• Mouthguard for hockey**
* House swim hats can be purchased online (e.g., via Amazon) and must be in the appropriate House colours.
Kahlo, Bronte, Seacole, Franklin
** In line with school policy and guidelines set down by the ruling bodies of the sports associations, it is mandatory for all pupils to wear mouthguards for hockey lessons, cocurricular clubs and matches. Ideally this should be from the dentist as these are made to fit. However, a mouthguard purchased from a sports shop is the minimal requirement and is part of the PE kit.
Personal Appearance Years 7-11
• Coats, scarves and hats must not be worn indoors
• Hair must be of a natural colour and if longer than shoulder length then it must be fully tied back
• Headscarves may be any colour but should not bear any logos
• Small stud earrings may be worn in each earlobe (no hoops or dangling earrings), no other piercings are allowed
• One discreet necklace that is not visible above the neckline of the blouse may be worn
• Nail polish, long nails, false nails and nail extensions are not permitted
• Make up and false eyelashes are not permitted
If there are specific medical or religious reasons to request an amendment to any of the above, then parents must write to the Head of Year.
All jewellery must be removed for PE lessons and other sporting activities, for health and safety reasons. You can only travel to school in your PE kit if you are taking part in PE / squad training sessions before the start of the school day. In this case, bring your uniform with you and change into after the activity is complete.
Any ear piercings must be made at the start of the summer holidays to allow 6 weeks of healing before PE lessons resume.
Sixth Form
There is no dress code in the Sixth Form however pupils are expected to wear clothes that are appropriate for school. Pupils in the Sixth Form may wear other jewellery, including other piercings.
Personal Property
Pupils in Years 7-11 should keep their PE kit in their PE locker. Books, stationery and valuables can be stored in a second locker in her tutor base. All facilities are lockable, and girls require two sturdy padlocks. A spare key should be kept at home and/or with your daughter’s Tutor. Codes must never be shared amongst pupils.
If your daughter cannot find an item of clothing, she should report it to the Senior School Office. Usually, it will arrive at the lost property area within a few days. If it is named, she will receive an email from the Senior School Office asking her to collect it. Unnamed lost property is also available for girls to view at specific times during the term.
Pupils should report the loss of valuable items to the School Office as well as their Assistant Director. Girls should not have valuable items of property or large amounts of money with them in school. We ask that girls in Years 7-9 do not bring more than £5 in cash to school. If they do need to bring a larger amount of cash into school with them, it should be given the School Office for safe keeping.
We cannot accept responsibility for items lost or damaged on school premises. We recommend taking out your own appropriate insurance, as our policy does not cover such loss or damage.
Equipment List
The equipment below, must be with you everyday.
• Glue stick x2
• Pens (blue, black, green)
• Non-Biro pen for English handwriting
• Ruler
• Highlighter x4 (assorted colours)
• A scientific calculator (Casio fx83 and Casio fx85 are acceptable for Y7-9 or if you want to
be prepared for GCSE and beyond, a Casio fx 991)
• Pair of compasses
• Protractor
• Coloured pencils
• Pencils
• Rubber
• Water bottle
• Pencil case
• Two sturdy combination padlocks
• Surface device
• Headphones that work with your device
Parent Engagement
There are many opportunities for you to meet your daughter’s Tutors on a more informal basis. Parents will be invited to an array of school events, from concerts, plays and exhibitions, to sports fixtures, parent workshops and pastoral evenings. We do hope you will be able to join us in school for some of these occasions to support your daughter and become involved in our school community. You can find dates for events on the school calendar, via the parent portal.
Parent Reps and FOSH
Parent Reps encourage and enhance twoway communication for each tutor group in Year 7. They act as a conduit between the parent body and the school, for example if there are any ideas or issues you would like to discuss. They also facilitate bringing parents together in a social context to build relationships and offer mutual support.
A call for volunteer Parent Reps for each Year 7 Form group will go out at the beginning of the academic year.
FOSH (Families of St Helen’s) is our whole school PTA. FOSH is a registered charity which runs a number of wonderful and highly successful events, such as the annual Summer Fair, which bring the school community together and raises funds for specific school projects which directly benefit the day-to-day experience
of the girls. Any parents who would like to join FOSH should email the Director of Transition and Communications (maternity cover), Ms Lara Agnew, at lara.agnew@sthelens.london.
Futures Programme
The Futures Programme prepares girls to flourish beyond school and promotes the professional and networking skills they need to become leaders of tomorrow. The wealth and breadth of the collective expertise of our alumnae and parental network provides a strong and powerful resource for current pupils and recent alumnae, so we always welcome parents’ support.
If you can support the Futures Programme, for example by talking or presenting to current pupils at networking and mentoring events, we would be delighted to hear from you! Please share your areas of interest and professional expertise with our Development Office at development@sthelens.london.
School Functions
There are several special functions within the school year.
Open Events
These take place throughout the year for girls and parents who are thinking about joining St Helen’s. Girls are expected to attend to help with subject activities, performances or to act as tour guides. We very much welcome your daughter’s support and attendance at these open events. All pupils from Year 7-13 are required to attend the Whole School Open Morning on Saturday 19th September 2026.
Christmas Fair & Calendar Sale
This House led charity event takes place on a Saturday in the second half of the Autumn Term. The profits from this Christmas Fair are donated to pupils’ chosen charities. All girls are expected to attend for what is always a fun and much-loved St Helen’s staple!
Carol Service
This takes place before the end of the Autumn Term on a weekday evening and parents of performing students are warmly invited to attend.
Founder’s Day
Founder’s Day is an important tradition at St Helen’s where we come together as a whole school community to celebrate the school’s foundation by May Rowland Brown in 1899 and look back at the rich history and legacy of the school.
Prize Day
This takes place on the afternoon of the last Friday of the Summer Term. Attendance is compulsory for all girls and parents of prize winners and Year 13 leavers are invited to attend.
Travel to School
You will appreciate that with over 1,100 girls arriving at and leaving school each day, the local roads become busy at peak times. We recommend that school journeys are planned accordingly. To help limit congestion and keep our car parks as safe as possible, we ask that Senior School parents do not use the Central Car Park. Girls can be dropped off in one on of the surrounding residential streets and walk to the Main Entrance on Eastbury Road, or parents can park in the public pay & display car park on Green Lane and walk their daughter up to the Main Entrance.
Visitors during the school day should use the main Visitors’ Car Park on Eastbury Road and enter the school through the Main Entrance. We also have plenty of scooter and bike racks, which your daughter can use.
School Coaches
Our coach service provides pupils with convenient, safe, reliable and environmentally friendly transport to and from school, for pupils in Year 3 and above.
You can manage the bookings, payments and track the progress of your daughter’s journeys via the user-friendly website and App at sthelens.vectare.co.uk More information, including timetables, route information and FAQs, can also be found here.
If you require further information or have a question or concern about coach services (including property left on coaches) please contact coaches@sthelens.london
If your daughter is going to use the school coach, please book her regular coach journeys by Friday 19th June.
By Friday 19th June 2026:
Book regular coach journeys (if required) via sthelens.vectare.co.uk
Catering St Helen’s Enterprises
Pupils enjoy a wide range of food options at lunchtime in our Dining Room, all provided by our catering team, Holroyd Howe. The team are very experienced in handling all dietary and allergy requirements and pupils only need to ask a member of the team if they need assistance.
There are three different hot meal options available for lunch every day, in addition to a daily jacket potato option. There is also a daily salad bar offering a colourful and everchanging range of cold dishes. Two varieties of hot soup and bread are also available daily, as well as a dessert bar and daily fresh fruit. For those attending lunchtime clubs or requiring a more flexible dining option, a convenient “grab and go” service is available.
We have a designated Food Council which is attended by student representatives, our catering manager and Head Chef, where students can feed back on the lunch provision and have their say on menu changes.
Pupils are encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottle to school and to fill this up throughout the day at one of the several water stations around the school site.
School lunch is compulsory for all pupils in Year 7 and 8. This ensures consistency in quality, nutrition, and convenience for families.
Holiday Activities
During the school holidays, we offer courses and activities for children of all ages, from energetic sports sessions to full-day activity camps. Each programme is designed to encourage exploration, learning and fun in a supportive environment. All activities take place on site.
St Helen’s Enterprises also offers the following:
Venue Hire
Set within 21 acres of immaculate grounds, our campus features two 300seat theatres and a range of flexible spaces suitable for meetings, conferences, celebrations, workshops and exhibitions.
Gym
Our fully equipped gym includes a 25metre swimming pool, a wide range of group fitness classes and personalised fitness programmes to support health and wellbeing.
Swimming
We provide crash courses and swimming lessons for children and adults of all abilities, from beginners to advanced and master swimmers.
For more information visit our website.
St Helen’s School
Eastbury Road
Northwood
Middlesex HA6 3AS
enquiries@sthelens london 01923 843210
www.sthelens.london
@sthelensnorthwood
@sthelensnorthwood