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You might already know why we specify that we're talking about Francis Holland School in Regent's Park. That's because there are two Francis Holland schools. And to make matters more confusing, they're on opposite ends of London. One is in the northwest and the other in the southwestern part of the city, next to the school's Bursar's office. Today, we highlight the facility in the northwestern part of the city because:
- this school has more than 140 years of teaching excellence
- its campus accommodates facilities for a wide range of studies from The Arts to computing and science
- students may join any number of clubs and societies
- the school actively participates in charitable endeavours
- students may pursue sports activities, from netball to swimming
In parents' frantic search for the best education for their daughters, Francis Holland in Regent's Park has to appear on more than one radar. With all that there is on offer and fees at the lower end of the national average, this school is an attractive proposition. Are you thinking of enrolling your daughter in Francis Holland School, Regent’s Park? Here’s everything you need to know to get started.
About Francis Holland School, Regent's Park
Francis Holland School, Regent’s Park is an independent day school for girls between the ages of 11-18. As mentioned above, this campus is one of two schools in the Francis Holland Schools Trust. The school was originally founded by Reverend Canon Francis Holland in 1878. At that time, it welcomed boys as well as girls for primary education. Today, the school pledges to “provide an excellent, balanced education within a supportive, friendly and happy community” to all of its 450+ students.
Francis Holland School fees include Personal Accident Insurance and school lunches. They exclude any extra activities (such as music, sports or drama), services, or withdrawal fees. £1,500 of your deposit will be returned to you upon your daughter’s departure from the school, while the remaining £100 is put towards your daughter's Quondam Life Subscription. For more information about how and when to pay your fees, as well as optional activities and services, please visit Francis Holland’s web page.
Francis Holland’s small class sizes, especially at the GCSE level, ensure that all girls are given the academic and pastoral support they need to succeed. In this way, Francis Holland is quite like the Henrietta Barnett School. The Regent's Park campus underwent a major renovation in 2009. This building project added The Gloucester Wing, which includes new classrooms, lecture halls, and a theatre for girls to practice and perform their skills.
Francis Holland School organizes several Open Events throughout September and October. These events provide the opportunity for you and your daughter to listen to talks put on by the current Head of school, a Sixth Former, and a parent. There will also be a pupil-led tour of the school grounds and a question and answer session.
Open events are generally held in September for the younger girls. Sixth Form events usually take place in October. However, you may request a tour by appointment for your Sixth Form pupil. You must register for the 11+ Open Events ahead of your planned attendance. Otherwise, please feel free to attend any of the other events without an RSVP.
Francis Holland School Admissions Policies
To signal your interest in Francis Holland School at 11+ entry, you and your daughter must submit her registration form, along with the appropriate fee. Furthermore, you should join a reference from the Head of her Junior School to the registration package. All of this should take place before the end of November. Once your registration package has been accepted, your daughter will be scheduled to sit her entrance examinations, sometime in January.
For Sixth Form entry, Francis Holland asks that your daughter arrange a meeting with the Head of the Sixth Form. After a successful interview, she will be scheduled to sit exams in her proposed A-Level subjects. Note that, unlike North London Collegiate School, Francis Holland School does not administer Sixth Form candidates exams of their own devising. During your daughter's interview with the Sixth Form Head, they will likely encourage her to apply for one of their numerous scholarship opportunities.
Francis Holland School Interviews and Examinations
All girls entering at 11+ will sit one examination that covers both English and Mathematics. The English portion is broken into two sections. One will test her creative writing skills and the other will challenge her personal reflections. The English exam will take an hour and twenty minutes to complete. Note that many girls' schools, Lady Eleanor Holles School included, subject every prospective pupil to an entrance exam.
The Maths portion is an hour and fifteen minutes. It tasks prospective students to show their logical thinking abilities by solving word- and diagram-based problems. Francis Holland School suggests that exam-takers familiarize themselves with the school's past years’ papers, which they make available to all. You might also look over their English and Maths guidance notes before sitting these exams. These too are freely available on the school's website.
Lastly, your daughter will submit to two fifteen-minute interviews. The first is a group interview with the Head of Francis Holland. The second is a one-to-one conversation. It is a more academically structured chat with a senior member of staff.
For 16+ entry, your daughter will sit examinations in the A-Level subjects of her choice. She will also undergo a general interview with the Head or Deputy Head. Note that the second interview is different in purpose and tone than the initial interview with the Sixth Form Head. As most girls enter Francis Holland at 11+, the school has few resources for girls preparing to enter at different levels. However, your daughter will benefit from practising with the abundance of independent resource centres offered online. Good luck!
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