FAQs

We are looking for an all-rounder. Not only a girl with an enthusiasm for learning but also one who really wants to get involved with school life, take advantage of the many co-curricular clubs and activities we offer and go on to represent FHS.

We are a true microcosm of London, with a diverse pupil body coming from both state and independent primary schools locally and further afield. Being situated so close to central London, our girls commute from all over and we are well-served for public transport links to Baker Street station as well as numerous bus routes running in all directions. Whilst FHS is founded in Anglican tradition, the school welcomes all faiths, and none, with every faith being represented in each year group.

Sport is a hugely integral part of life at FHS. Despite seeming tight for space, our on-site facilities include a swimming pool, a well-equipped sports hall and playground. We are lucky enough to have Regent’s Park on our doorstep where the girls make use of the superb outdoor facilities daily. Paddington Recreation Ground is also used for athletics and hockey, to which we operate an efficient bus transfer for pupils. At performance level, pupils have the opportunity to train on a weekly basis and compete in fixtures and tournaments across London.

The food is excellent. We have a choice of hot meals and salads, baked potatoes, freshly-made soup, and always a vegetarian option. Every day there is a choice of puddings, home-made yoghurt and fruit.

Girls are not allowed to go out on their own during their first and second year, but we do have what is called ‘Walk in the Park’, when a teacher takes groups of Thirds and Lower Fourths (Years 7 and 8) out to Regent’s Park every lunchtime. In the Upper Fourth, Lower Fifth and Upper Fifth (Years 9, 10 and 11), the girls are allowed out in groups of three.

The pastoral care at Francis Holland Regent’s Park was graded “outstanding” in our last ISI Inspection Report. All the forms have Sixth Form Prefects attached to their Form, as well as a Form Tutor and a Head of Year. Our Deputy Head (Pastoral) is in charge of pastoral care and has regular meetings with the Heads of Year. We also have school counsellors and a student wellbeing practitioner who pupils can arrange to see confidentially.

Pupils in the Thirds (Year 7) and Lower Fourth (Year 8) lock their mobile phones in Yondr pouches during the school day. Mobile phones belonging to pupils in Upper Fourth (Year 9) and Lower Fifth (Year 10) are collected on a daily basis before school starts and returned at the end of the day. Mobile phones belonging to pupils in the older year groups must be switched off and kept in the pupil’s bag whilst at school. Responsible use of social media and devices is taught throughout the school, with a particular focus in the younger years.

All FHS pupils will be expected to have Microsoft Surface Pros. The School wants to give pupils the digital literacy skills and understanding to confidently and safely navigate the wider world in which they live and will work.

There are numerous benefits to having a single device type, not least that teachers are able to design creative and engaging learning activities in the confidence that everyone will be able to access them fully. The expertise in our IT Department is focused on the Surface Pro, meaning we can support these devices at school. We selected the Surface Pro because it offers, in the School’s view, the perfect platform for learning, combining the best features of laptops and tablets. It is equipped with a large screen, full keyboard, touch screen, and front and rear cameras; it is portable and has excellent battery life which can last a full school day. FHS has chosen to partner with Freedom Tech, who specialise in providing competitively priced finance and repair services for computers in schools. Freedom Tech offers the option to purchase a device outright, spread the cost of the device or lease a device with the option to change to trade in for a newer model after three years.

In the Thirds (Year 7), classes have around 24 girls in each. By the time the girls are opting for GCSEs, classes are much smaller and in the Sixth Form smaller yet again.

School is open at 7.45am and registration is 8.25am. Lunch is 12.15pm to 1.25pm and school finishes at 3.30pm or 4.00pm (year group specific). However, there are many after-school and lunchtime clubs and activities. Girls are allowed to stay in the library after school until 5.30pm.

All girls from Thirds (Year 7) to Upper Fifth (Year 11) are required to wear the school uniform which is available from Stevensons online. The Sixth Form wear their own clothes. All clothes and personal belongings should be marked with the owner’s name. Lockers are provided, but the School can take no responsibility for the loss of personal belongings. A second-hand uniform sale is held twice a year, where clothes in good condition may be obtained.

We are always pleased to welcome applications from siblings of pupils already attending the school. Whilst we encourage families to stay together if the right fit, as an academically selective school, all applicants are considered on their own merit and must meet our entry requirements. All applicants are invited to interview, ensuring they have every opportunity to shine. Where a sibling may sit on the threshold for an offer, this will be given careful consideration, but our priority remains ensuring that every pupil is well placed to thrive at our school.