How to choose the best girls’ school in London and beyond

There is no single “best” girls’ school for every child. The right choice is the school where your daughter feels happy, nurtured and inspired to grow – academically, socially and personally.

For families looking at girls’ schools in London and further afield, the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) offers a distinctive choice: a connected family of schools designed around how girls learn best, develop confidence and prepare for the future. The GDST Difference is supported by research involving more than 5,000 girls.

Start with your daughter

Begin by thinking about what will help your daughter thrive. Her interests, personality, learning style and confidence are all important considerations.

As you research schools, ask:

• Does the school’s ethos reflect what matters to your family?
• Will your daughter feel known, listened to and supported?
• Does the learning environment encourage her to take part, speak up and try new things?
• Are there opportunities that match her existing interests and introduce her to new ones?
• Will the journey to and from school fit comfortably into family life?

Academic outcomes matter, but they are only one part of the picture. A school should also give your daughter the confidence to contribute, lead and explore what she is capable of.

Look beyond league tables

When comparing girls’ schools in London and beyond, it can be tempting to focus solely on results. Academic attainment is important; however, a school’s culture, pastoral support, co-curricular provision and approach to learning can shape your daughter’s day-to-day experience just as much.

Visit schools where possible. An open day gives you an opportunity to see the environment first-hand, meet staff and pupils, and get a sense of the school community. Encourage your daughter to share how she feels during the visit: does she feel comfortable, curious and able to picture herself there?

Look for a school where girls are encouraged to participate actively, share their views and support one another. These experiences can help them develop the self-belief that will support them both in school and beyond.

Consider a girls-first education

A girls’ school is not simply a school without boys. At a GDST school, education is designed specifically for girls, creating an environment where they are seen, heard and empowered.

GDST research found that girls at its schools are significantly more confident than their peers by age nine. At sixth form, they are more likely to feel prepared for the future than girls at non-GDST mixed-sex schools, and they report feeling less restricted by gender stereotypes and more comfortable taking on leadership roles.

In girls-only classrooms, GDST research also shows that pupils pursue a wider range of subjects, including STEM options; participate more actively in lessons; challenge others’ views; collaborate actively with peers; and grow in resilience.

This matters because the right school should help your daughter see that no subject, role or future is out of reach.

Explore opportunities available

A rich education should open up possibilities beyond the classroom. When visiting or researching a school, explore its clubs, sports, music, drama, enrichment and leadership opportunities, as well as the ways pupils can develop their interests over time.

GDST girls can access distinctive Trust-wide opportunities alongside the experiences available at their individual schools. These include mathematics at both the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, annual GDST Sing music events and GDST LEAD—a partnership with the London School of Economics focused on leadership and entrepreneurship. The GDST also offers the Space Technology Diploma through its partnership with leading industry specialists.

These shared opportunities can give girls the chance to meet peers across the GDST network, encounter new ideas and discover ambitions they may not yet have considered.

Find the right GDST school

The GDST’s network can help families find a school that feels right for their daughter while offering the benefits of a wider educational community. Each school has its own character, local community and approach, while sharing a girls-first commitment to an outstanding education, confidence, ambition and resilience.

A GDST education aims to help girls build self-belief early and carry it with them throughout their lives. GDST research shows that GDST girls report greater belief in their ability to achieve their goals, are as confident as boys about taking risks by age nine, and are less constrained by gender stereotypes and pressures to conform.

The best next step is to explore the GDST schools local to your family, attend an open event and ask questions that matter to you and your daughter. Ultimately, the right school will be one where she can feel secure enough to be herself, ambitious enough to stretch herself and supported enough to flourish.