St Teresa’s - Effingham

With over 640 pupils, St. Teresa’s is the largest Catholic independent girls’ school in the country. It is a strong caring community based on Catholic traditions. We offer an inclusive environment welcoming students from all backgrounds, open to students of all faiths and none. Our core values of Faith, Character, Community, Compassion and Intellect knit the school together, resulting in an atmosphere of mutual support, vibrancy and kindness.

St Teresa’s is a dynamic school which has embraced the challenge to modernise and update, whilst holding true the values and philosophies which define its character and spirit. At St Teresa’s, the emphasis is very strongly on encouraging confidence. With recognised strengths spanning academia, sport and the creative and performing arts, we focus on the individual, allowing girls to achieve their best and enabling them to follow their own unique path to happiness and success.

But results are only part of the story. At St Teresa’s, the emphasis is very strongly on encouraging confidence without swagger, recognising achievement and success but, crucially, tempering these with modesty, kindness, good humour and a sense of humility so that your daughter is not only a highly capable individual, but also an immensely likeable young woman.

There is no ‘one size fits all’ at St Teresa’s; our girls are individuals and valued as such. No one is invisible, and we know who needs to be stretched and who needs extra help. This commitment to individual care underpins our whole ethos and approach to teaching each and every student within our care. We believe that happy girls thrive.

A ‘can-do’ attitude is encouraged at all times, and a wide range of opportunities both within and beyond the curriculum enables girls to develop and discover new abilities, interests and talents while they study towards achieving first-rate GCSEs and A levels.

No-one is pigeon-holed. Talent and achievement of all types are praised and confidence blossoms as a result. Our primary aim is, of course, to educate, but to do so in the true meaning of the word; St Teresa’s is not an academic hothouse but aims to draw out the talents latent in every girl so that at St Teresa’s she will become the best she can be. Girls are supported, but encouraged to think independently and to take responsibility for their own learning. This leads to excellent A level and GCSE results from a broad-ability intake. At St Teresa’s Effingham we aim:

• To encourage pupils to rejoice in and do well through the pursuit of academic excellence across the curriculum and beyond
• To provide support, encouragement and challenge so that pupils realise their potential and are well-prepared for the future
• To promote high standards of personal behaviour and the development of moral and spiritual values