Why do all‑girls schools give girls the edge?

GDST schools are recognised centres of educational excellence with one clear focus: putting girls first. For 154 years, the GDST has pioneered and shaped girls’ education, tailoring learning experiences so that girls grow into confident, future-ready, happy and fearless young women.

Across its family of schools, the GDST educates girls from age 3 to 18, covering the crucial stages of Nursery, Junior, Senior and Sixth Form. This all-through approach means girls progress in an environment that understands how they learn best, with each phase building seamlessly on the last.

Confidence that comes from being known

In a GDST classroom, girls’ voices are at the centre of the learning experience. Teaching is intentionally tailored to how girls learn best, with plenty of discussion, questioning and collaborative work that helps even quieter pupils feel able to contribute.

Parents consistently highlight how this approach builds confidence and self-belief, free from unconscious biases or stereotypes. One junior school parent notes how impressed they were by the value placed on providing a nurturing and supportive environment that allows girls to truly be themselves. Sixth formers also talk about lessons being tailored to how they learn best, which in turn gives them more confidence to ask questions and engage deeply.

Ambition supported at every stage

At GDST schools, academic excellence is a given – but it is never the whole story. Teachers and leaders actively encourage girls to aim high, challenge assumptions and pursue ambitious goals in every area of learning.

A sixth former describes how her GDST school “saw my potential before I did” and gave her the confidence to aim for top universities, providing all the support she needed for her application. This combination of belief and personalised guidance helps girls see selective universities, competitive courses and leadership roles as realistic and attainable destinations.

Academic success tailored to girls

Research shows that students in girls’ schools in England achieve better public exam results than their counterparts in co-educational settings. At the GDST, 83% of students achieved grades A* – B in their A Levels in 2025 compared to 55% nationally.

The GDST’s approach helps explain why teaching is academically rigorous, engaging and specifically designed to foster intellectual curiosity in girls.

Across the GDST family, girls are encouraged to explore the full curriculum, including subjects that are often male-dominated elsewhere, such as physics, computing and advanced mathematics. The culture removes unhelpful stereotypes about “girls’ subjects” and instead focuses on each pupil’s interests, talents and aspirations.

A networked family of schools

One of the distinctive advantages of a GDST education is the sense of belonging to a wider family. With schools in London and across England and Wales, the GDST creates a community where best practice is shared, and opportunities can be extended beyond a single campus.

This family is further enriched by a global network of more than 100,000 alumnae whose achievements and impact continually inspire students. Alumnae span every professional sector and stage of life, offering role models, mentoring and connections that help GDST girls see what is possible for their own futures.

Character, wellbeing and life skills

Parents consistently praise the care, attention, support and guidance their daughters receive in GDST schools. From the early years onwards, the focus is on nurturing happy, well-rounded girls who feel understood and supported as individuals, equipped with the skills to thrive both in their educational journey and in their lives and careers that follow.

This strong focus on pastoral care sits alongside academic ambition, ensuring that girls are supported to grow both intellectually and personally. As a result, they develop resilience, empathy and emotional intelligence – qualities that are just as important as academic success when moving on to university or the workplace. This nurturing yet challenging environment also builds confidence in key life skills, reflected in the fact that 63% of GDST girls feel comfortable taking risks, compared to 48% of girls and 58% of boys nationally. Similarly, 83% of GDST girls feel confident engaging with people who hold different views, compared to 70% of girls and 77% of boys nationally.

Within this setting, meaningful and lasting friendships are formed, leadership skills develop organically, and girls gain the confidence to express themselves clearly, listen with understanding and collaborate effectively with others.

Prepared for university, careers and beyond

A GDST education is designed to equip girls with the skills and attributes to go out into the world on their own terms as future leaders and changemakers. By the time they leave sixth form, they hold strong academic qualifications, but also the confidence, independence and sense of purpose needed to navigate an ever-changing world.

Parents and students frequently talk about a renewed curiosity, a love of learning for its own sake and a belief that they can shape their own path. Whether they go on to Russell Group universities, specialist institutions, apprenticeships or start-ups, GDST girls carry with them a mindset that ambition is not the exception but the expectation.