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 (101)
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.
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.
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.
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.
St Catherine's Preparatory School Bramley is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 11, situated on a 25-acre campus in the Surrey Hills. Founded in 1885, the school provides a Church of England education that focuses on the personal and intellectual development of its pupils. The grounds feature a Grade II listed school house and a Victorian chapel with Kempe stained glass windows. Specialised facilities include the WonderLab science centre and Soundscape music suite, alongside extensive outdoor learning spaces such as a cottage garden and woodland areas.
The Royal Masonic School for Girls is an independent day and boarding school for pupils aged 2 to 18, set within 315 acres of parkland in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. Founded in 1788 to provide for the daughters of Freemasons, the school relocated to its present site in 1934. The campus features a blend of historic architecture and modern facilities, including a planetarium, a dedicated performing arts centre, and extensive sports grounds. The school focuses on nurturing individual talent and potential, offering a broad curriculum alongside a diverse range of extracurricular activities.
St Albans High School for Girls (STAHS) is an independent day school for pupils aged 4 to 18. Established in 1889, the school operates across two Hertfordshire sites: the Senior School in central St Albans and the Preparatory School set within 18 acres of parkland in Wheathampstead. Rooted in the Church of England tradition, the school follows a "Teach to 25" philosophy. Facilities include a performing arts centre, an indoor swimming pool, and extensive sports grounds for lacrosse and tennis, alongside a modern Sixth Form centre.
Bromley High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, situated on a 25-acre campus in Bickley, Greater London. Established in 1883 and a member of the Girls’ Day School Trust, the school moved to its current site in 1981. It holds the distinction of being the world's first all-girls All-Steinway School, housing a specialist music wing. Facilities include a 25-metre indoor swimming pool and floodlit sports pitches. The school provides a rigorous academic environment alongside a diverse range of extracurricular opportunities in music, sport, and the arts.
The Abbey School is a selective, all-through independent day school for girls aged 3 to 19, located in central Reading. Operating from nursery through to sixth form, it offers a broad curriculum that includes both A-levels and the International Baccalaureate. While rooted in a Church of England foundation, the school welcomes pupils of all faiths and emphasises core values of courage, honesty, and kindness. The campus features notable facilities, including a 25-metre swimming pool with a diving board. The school provides strong academic, sporting, and musical programmes.
Norwich High School for Girls is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 18, situated across a 14-acre site on Newmarket Road in Norwich. The school comprises a nursery, preparatory school, senior school, and sixth form, occupying historic buildings including the Grade II listed Eaton Grove. It offers a comprehensive academic curriculum alongside a wide range of sporting and creative extracurricular activities within a supportive community environment.
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.
James Allen's Girls' School (JAGS) is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, situated in Dulwich, South London. The school provides a continuous education, spanning pre-prep, prep, senior, and sixth form stages. Established with a philanthropic ethos, the institution is noted for its historic botanical gardens and a long-standing emphasis on scientific and academic education. The school operates on a co-educational foundation in collaboration with other local institutions and occupies a site in East Dulwich Grove, where it has been based since the late 19th century.