The GSA acts as the professional association for the Heads of leading independent girls' schools in the United Kingdom. A constituent member of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), the organization advocates for the specific benefits of single-sex education, aiming to empower young women to become confident leaders. Beyond advocacy, it provides professional development for teachers, promotes high academic standards, and serves as a representative voice for the girls' school sector in media and government policy discussions.
GSA Member Schools (56)
Blackheath High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 18, situated on the edge of the Heath in South East London. Founded in 1880 as the first purpose-built school of the Girls’ Day School Trust, it was officially opened by Princess Louise. The school operates across two sites: the Junior School in Blackheath Village and the Senior School at Vanbrugh Park. Facilities include an £18 million campus redevelopment with a state-of-the-art library, fitness suite, and an extensive sports campus at Kidbrooke Grove.
Putney High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, situated on a leafy campus in southwest London. Founded in 1893, the school is a prominent member of the Girls' Day School Trust and emphasises an ethos of 'modern scholarship'. The site on Putney Hill combines original Victorian architecture with contemporary sustainable developments, such as the Athena Centre for science and drama and pioneering biophilic classrooms. The school fosters intellectual curiosity and real-world agility, offering a broad curriculum and extensive extracurricular opportunities within reach of the River Thames.
Streatham & Clapham High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 18, situated across two sites in South London. Founded in 1887 and a member of the Girls’ Day School Trust, the school features a Prep School in a Victorian building and a Senior School bordering Tooting Common. Notable architecture includes 1930s modernist structures and a contemporary Sixth Form wing. Specialist facilities include a recital hall, art suites, and a floodlit all-weather pitch. Guided by the motto "Towards wisdom unafraid," the school balances academic breadth with a wide-ranging co-curricular programme.
Croydon High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 18, situated on a 20-acre site in Selsdon, South Croydon. Established in 1874, it was one of the earliest schools founded by the Girls’ Day School Trust. The campus features extensive green space and facilities such as a 25-metre swimming pool, a sports hall, and a dedicated sixth form centre. The school provides a broad curriculum designed to encourage independence and leadership, supported by a wide range of extracurricular clubs and activities.
Situated in the heart of Brighton, Brighton Girls GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 18. Part of the Girls’ Day School Trust, the school was founded in 1876 and claims to focus on the joy of learning, instilling curiosity, adventure, and independence. The main campus at Montpelier Road features the historic Temple building. Facilities include a sports hall, gym, dance studio, and an Astroturf pitch. The school provides an all-through education, comprising a prep school, senior school, and sixth form within a vibrant urban setting.
Northwood College for Girls GDST is an independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 18, located in Northwood, Greater London. Founded in 1878 and a member of the Girls’ Day School Trust since 2014, the school moved to its current site in 1892. Facilities include a performing arts centre with a recital hall, a sports hall with an indoor swimming pool, and specialist studios for dance and art. The school’s ethos focuses on character development and intellectual curiosity, aiming to nurture confident individuals within a supportive community.
Kensington Prep School GDST is an independent day school in Fulham for girls aged 4 to 11. Established in 1873 as the first school of the Girls' Day School Trust, it relocated to its current site in 1997. The school emphasises a "Growing Great Minds" ethos, prioritising curiosity, creativity, and holistic development. Notable facilities include the "Explore Floor" for immersive learning and a playground spanning over an acre with on-site netball and tennis courts. Alumnae include the suffragette Emily Wilding Davison and former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
Wimbledon High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, situated in the heart of Wimbledon, London. Founded in 1880 by the Girls’ Day School Trust, the school occupies a town-centre site featuring Victorian buildings and modern additions, including a dedicated STEAM tower. Its playing fields at Nursery Road possess significant sporting heritage as the original home of the All England Lawn Tennis Club. The school focuses on fostering intellectual curiosity and resilience, encouraging pupils to explore a broad range of academic and co-curricular opportunities.
Cobham Hall is a co-educational independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 11 to 18, set within 150 acres of historic parkland in Kent. Housed in a Grade I listed Tudor mansion, formerly home to the Earls of Darnley, the school features grounds designed by the landscape architect Humphry Repton. As a member of the Round Square network, Cobham Hall emphasises a holistic education focused on character and global citizenship. Part of the Mill Hill Education Group, the school provides diverse facilities, including the ornate Gilt Hall and modern creative arts and sporting centres.
Abbot's Hill School is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 16, with a co-educational nursery, located in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. Set within 70 acres of parkland, the school is housed in a late 19th-century mansion originally built for the Dickinson family. Founded in 1912, it provides a broad education across its Prep and Senior departments. The school emphasises a holistic approach to learning, supported by facilities including a sports hall and a performing arts centre, aiming to develop well-rounded individuals within a historic setting.
Sutton High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 18, situated in the heart of Sutton, Surrey. Established in 1884, the school is a member of the Girls' Day School Trust and provides a continuous education from nursery through to sixth form. The campus features a blend of Victorian buildings and modern facilities, including a dedicated sixth form centre and specialist spaces for performing arts and sport. The school's ethos focuses on fostering a supportive community that encourages academic curiosity and personal growth in every pupil.
Kent College Pembury is an independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated in 75 acres of parkland near Tunbridge Wells. Established in 1886 and part of the Methodist Independent Schools Trust, the school moved to its current site in 1939 and is centred around a Victorian manor house. Its facilities include an indoor swimming pool, a purpose-built theatre, and extensive sports pitches. The school fosters a nurturing and inclusive environment, encouraging pupils to achieve their potential through a balanced curriculum and a wide variety of academic and creative pursuits.