Independent Girls' Schools in Greater London

St James Senior Girls' School is an independent day school for girls aged 11 to 18, situated in West Kensington, London. Founded in 1975, the school follows a holistic ethos that integrates mindfulness and periods of stillness, known as 'The Pause', into the daily routine. The curriculum balances academic rigour with philosophy, the creative arts, and the study of Sanskrit. Facilities include specialised science laboratories, an on-site gymnasium, and a dedicated Sixth Form centre nearby. Set within a gated garden courtyard, the school offers a broad extracurricular programme including lacrosse, netball, and yoga.

St Christopher's School is an independent preparatory day school for girls aged 4 to 11, situated in Hampstead, North London. Established in 1883, the school is housed within Victorian villas on Belsize Lane. Its ethos balances academic rigour with creative imagination, encouraging pupils to be curious and analytical thinkers. Facilities include a dedicated music department and modern outdoor learning spaces. The school provides a nurturing environment where girls are encouraged to develop their own opinions and confidence, preparing them for a wide range of leading senior schools.

Queen’s College London is an independent day school for girls aged 11 to 18, occupying four Grade II listed townhouses on Harley Street in Marylebone. Established in 1848 by Frederick Denison Maurice, it was the first institution in Great Britain to grant academic qualifications to women. The college maintains a liberal ethos, focusing on developing intellectual curiosity and independence. Its central London location facilitates use of the capital’s cultural resources, while a broad curriculum emphasises the creative arts, music, and humanities. Facilities include modern science laboratories and art studios.

Sydenham High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, situated in South London near Crystal Palace. Established in 1887, the school is a member of the Girls' Day School Trust and operates across two sites within walking distance of each other. The curriculum focuses on academic breadth alongside strengths in the creative arts, music, and sport. Facilities include a dedicated performing arts centre and a long-standing sports pavilion. The school's ethos encourages independence and self-belief within a supportive community setting.

Glendower Prep School is an independent day school for girls aged 3 to 11, situated in South Kensington. Established in 1895 by Edith Lloyd and Maud Cornwell, the school is housed in two interconnected Victorian terrace houses on Queen's Gate. Its ethos focuses on fostering academic curiosity and critical thinking, balanced with a strong emphasis on performing arts and competitive sport. While utilising local facilities such as Hyde Park and Imperial College for outdoor and aquatic activities, the school provides dedicated spaces for music. It aims to develop confident, capable, and socially aware young women.

Palmers Green High School is an independent girls' day school for ages 4 to 16, located in Winchmore Hill, North London. Founded in 1905 by Alice Hum, the school is guided by the Quaker-inspired motto, “By Love Serve One Another”. It is housed in Avondale Hall, a building with historical significance that once hosted suffragette meetings. The school provides a supportive learning environment with small class sizes and a broad curriculum. Facilities include specialist spaces for art, drama, and music, supporting a focus on academic progress and personal development.

Francis Holland Regent's Park is an independent day school for girls aged 11 to 18, situated in Marylebone near the gates of Regent's Park. Founded in 1878 by Canon Francis Holland, the school maintains a "schooling for life" ethos rooted in its Church of England heritage. On-site facilities include a swimming pool, while the nearby park and Paddington Recreation Ground are used for outdoor sports. In 2022, the school opened Linhope House, a purpose-built Sixth Form centre. The curriculum balances academic ambition with a strong commitment to the creative arts and pastoral support.

Bute House Preparatory School for Girls is an independent day school for pupils aged 4 to 11, located near Brook Green in Hammersmith. Established in 1958 on land leased from the Mercers’ Company, the school maintains a distinctive non-competitive ethos that avoids academic streaming. The broad curriculum emphasises a well-rounded education, supported by modern facilities including a science laboratory, art studio, and a signature pirate ship playground. While Bute House shares some sporting facilities with St Paul’s Girls’ School, it operates as an independent, mixed-ability environment focused on developing inquisitive and confident learners.

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.

Queen's Gate School is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, located in South Kensington, London. Occupying five Victorian terrace houses near the capital’s major museums, the school provides an urban learning environment that utilises local landmarks as an extended classroom. Founded in 1891 by Eleanor Beatrice Wyatt, the school emphasises individuality within a supportive atmosphere and is notable for its lack of a prescribed uniform. The broad academic curriculum is enhanced by the regular use of nearby facilities, including the Royal Albert Hall and Imperial College.

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.

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.

St Margaret's Hampstead is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 16, situated in a residential area of North London. Founded in 1884, the school is housed in a Victorian building in Kidderpore Gardens, close to Hampstead Heath. It operates as a small, family-oriented community with a focus on individual pastoral care. The academic curriculum culminates in GCSEs, and as the school does not have a sixth form, Year 11 pupils are encouraged to take on senior leadership roles. Facilities include science laboratories, a library, and drama spaces.

Al-Zahra School is an independent day school for girls aged 8 to 16, located in Queen's Park, London. Established in 1989 by the Al-Khoei Foundation, the school provides an education underpinned by a strong Islamic ethos. The curriculum combines the National Curriculum with religious studies, including Arabic and Quranic instruction. Operating within a small, close-knit community, the school focuses on academic progress alongside spiritual and moral development. Al-Zahra School aims to nurture well-rounded individuals, encouraging pupils to integrate their faith-based values with active participation in wider British society.

Channing School is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, located on Highgate Hill in North London. Founded in 1885 by the Reverend Robert Spears and sisters Emily and Matilda Sharpe, it remains the only independent Unitarian school in Britain. The school occupies two sites, with the Junior School at Fairseat bordering Waterlow Park. Its facilities include the Grade II listed Brunner House, a performing arts centre, and a sports hall. The school's ethos is rooted in the Unitarian principles of scholarship, integrity, altruism, and independence.