St Helen and St Katharine school - Oxfordshire

[allforkids]

Dear parents, may I ask your opinion about the school, if your DD is happy and flourishing there, or if you are disappointed - this is also important. Can I expect some kind of individual approach there, or is it more like a good pace for graduation ratings, or is it a place where professional teachers meet and where girls really respect knowledge and take pride in their achievements. How about mutual respect between teachers and students? Thank you in advance.

We've been very impressed with the school. Of course it depends on what you are looking for but it manages a good balance of being academically strong whilst also having a good sense of fun. I imagine any academically selective school will have a lot of students who put a great deal of pressure on themselves to achieve well but the school itself does not unnecessarily add to that pressure. The Head is excellent and seems to really 'get' teenage girls. When we have spoken to her I've been very impressed with the extent to which she knows our daughter and dynamics within the year group. There are lots of good schools in the area but I would certainly recommend it.

SHSKparent, thank you very much for your help. May I ask if you have any experience with Lower School or Junior Department, and is there any connection with the Abingdon school, how often SHSK communicate with Abingdon? Could you say that every girl gets enough individual attention and approach? What do you think about rivalry or mutual support girls have there?Thank you in advance.

No we joined in yr 7 so I don't know about the earlier years. Yes there are joint activities with Abingdon and a joint bus service plus some 6th form subjects are taught together. I feel the teachers know my daughter as an individual. I imagine any group will have some girls who are very competitive with each other but the school doesn't encourage that.

An understanding of the academic level of the school has become available, but if anyone has the opportunity to share their experience of pastoral care, it would be helpful, since this is one of the important criteria for trusting the school for me.

It markets itself as a great school and in all honesty, they lack many things. There are teachers that do not care well being of students or value them, it's a herd mentality and I have personally felt racially not inclusive either, which would not help as our kids will go out and meet all sorts of people. It is leaning to be a good sporty type school personal experience. Your kid however will make friends, but instances are there that kids have also decided to leave SHSK

What is it that they lack?

Dear 2022schools, it would be greatly appreciated if you could share your thoughts, it would be helpful to know what someone is expecting from school but is not getting, it might be helpful to find answers to other questions or even concerns for other parents or children. To be honest, in my opinion, every school should be interested in the question of how to become better and to regularly ask parents and students what they expect from their school and what needs to be changed, because private schools primarily live for their users, that is, for children and their parents!