St Nicholas' School

Since 2018, Olwen Wright PhD MA BA PGCE. Educated in both state and independent sectors in Warwickshire and Lancashire before moving south to Basingstoke at 16. Gained English degree at Bangor University but, itching to travel, pursued a TEFL course

Entrance into mixed nursery (term time only) via ‘stay and play’ session. Boys can stay until end of year 2 (often younger brothers). Entrance into infants and juniors via informal maths and English-based activity session as part of a taster

Over 85 per cent move up to the senior school (automatic entry) – just a few leave after year 6 due to relocation or logistics, eg brother at a mixed senior school. At 16+, The Sixth Form College Farnborough is most popular, others to Queen Mary’s

In 2025, 46 per cent 9-7 at GCSE, 94 per cent 9-4 in both English and maths.

Tucked away behind a colourful pencil fence sits Branksomewood, home to nursery and infants, where we watched children draw the letter ‘s’ on each other’s backs and enthusiastically choose items beginning with the ‘ss’ sound to put in their ‘silly

‘She’s a different child,’ a parent said of her daughter whom she described as ‘lost’ at her previous school: ‘Within two months of joining St Nick’s, various needs had been identified and support put in place.’ Similar praise from another parent

The ‘inspirational’ music department got a lot of air time among parents we spoke to. Group violin lessons in years 1 and 2 kindle early interest in peripatetic lessons, with up to 80 per cent of junior pupils learning an instrument (60 per cent

‘Very impressive for a small school,’ say parents, who praise the ‘driven’ sports department for both the ‘myriad opportunities’ and the ‘soaring confidence’ they give the girls. Whilst one felt the school is ‘a bit too focused on the sports clique’,

A safe, nurturing and caring school, say parents and pupils, with form tutors at the heart of the pastoral care system alongside dedicated heads of ‘phase’, director of pastoral care and visiting school counsellor. Girls know where to get help if

Girls we met were chatty, grounded and fiercely loyal – despite persistent questioning, we could not elicit a single negative word about the school. Most are local but a fleet of school buses serves nearby towns including Farnham, Basingstoke and

Scholarships at year 7 (internal and external pupils), providing up to 20 per cent fee remission. Means-tested bursaries available. Lunch not included in fees. Sibling discount after third child – 10 per cent off youngest child’s fees.

A small, supportive school where girls are encouraged to be themselves and have the freedom to grow at their own pace, as well as reach their full academic potential. ‘No school is perfect but this is as good as it gets,’ summed up one parent.