Top Girls Boarding Schools In The UK (Updated 2024)

All-girls’ boarding schools in the UK are renowned for their world-class facilities and academic achievements. An all-girls’ boarding school offers a selection of curriculum to help them advance in their education by focusing on subjects and activities based on their preferences. Besides offering a safe and comfortable environment for students to focus on their academics and personal development, they offer a plethora of activities to explore the fields of science and arts, helping students achieve their aspirations.

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Benefits Of Studying In A Girls Boarding School In The UK

An all-girls boarding school has the benefits of letting girls grow in a comfortable, cohesive, and healthy environment. In an all-girls school, students will be empowered to focus on their personal growth and achievements in a distraction-free setting. Students will also become more independent in a boarding school environment earlier in their education to prepare them for the real world. Throughout their course, there will also be opportunities to mingle with other co-ed schools to develop interpersonal and social skills.

All Girls Studying Environment

An all-girls boarding school provides a great learning environment where girls are able to enhance their skills in all facets of learning. Many all-girls boarding schools consistently place at the top of the league tables and is evidence that these all-girls boarding schools aid students in achieving their full potential. A wide curriculum is offered at these boarding schools, ranging from subjects like Languages, Math and Sciences, to Arts and History. The wide selection of subjects will enable your child to reach their highest potential within a safe and secure environment without social pressures and distractions.

Accommodation

A girls’ boarding school provides a comfortable environment for girls to board in single, double, or en-suite accommodation. High quality lodgings enable a safe and secure environment for girls to focus on their studies as well and enjoy their education. Each accommodation is usually divided into Houses, with each House fitted with a common room for a shared environment for studies and projects. There will also be a dining hall for students to share their meals, in which they will also have an opportunity to socialise with other students.

Co-curricular Activities

Co-curricular activities at an all-girls boarding school are abundant, giving students plenty of choices to choose from. At an all-girls’ school, they will be able to enjoy indoor activities such as the drama and music lessons, as well as extra-curricular activities involving sports such as netball and lacrosse. They will also be able to focus on activities such as the Combined Cadet Force as well as additional science and technology clubs.

The Socialising Aspect

One of the benefits of an all-girls’ school also include a learning environment that enables girls to socialise freely with their peers and learn from each other. These safe spaces also will teach them how to deal with other members of the same sex within the school. The distraction free environment ensures that students to focus on their academics while developing interpersonal skills with the guidance of teachers and counsellors. However, all-girls’ schools also do conduct inter school activities with other all-boys’ schools for events and tournaments, which also gives them an opportunity to socialise with the opposite sex, but in a selected environment.

An all-girls school is one of the best places for your daughters to learn about independence and responsibility which they will be able to carry on into their later life, be in university application, or the adult working environment. This way they are able to develop a good sense of self and not face self-esteem issues in the future. Under the right care and guidance, students will be able to choose what works best for them. Parents are encouraged to consult a qualified education consultant and find out what will be best for their child.

Best Girls Boarding Schools in the UK League Table for 2024

One of the best gauges when deciding where to send your child would be by their academic results. Here, we list the top girls boarding schools in the UK for the year 2024 based on the number of A* and A grades achieved for their A-Levels. The rankings are based on the 2023 A-Levels league table and official A-Levels results reported by the schools.

The UK School League Tables are a great way for parents to decide on the type of school to send their children to. All-girls independent schools are a good choice for parents who want to send their children so they can focus on academics and personal growth. For boys, you may refer to our Top Boys Boarding Schools in the UK article for further guidance on the best boarding schools for boys. 

Top Girls Boarding Schools In The UK

10) St Mary’s School, Calne – A*/A Grade: 42%

St Mary’s Calne is a boarding and day school for around 350 girls aged 11–18. The majority of girls are boarders. Surrounded by stunning greenery and Downs, the School is just a short drive away from Bristol and a few hours west of London. In a close-knit community, every girl has a Tutor and in the Sixth Form a Director of Study, to support and guide her through every stage of school life. They may obtain advice regarding organisational skills, subject choices at GCSE and A-level through to university application.

9) Headington School – A*/A Grade: 49%

Headington School is a short walk from central Oxford and highly accessible from highways and major airports. The school prides itself on its quality of education and holistic development of its students. This is evident through the school’s 23 acre site of green space and sports fields, providing ample ground for activities and sports. The Prep School, a Victorian villa with woodlands and playing fields, is within the vicinity of the main school.

8) Roedean School – A*/A Grade: 55.5%

Roedean School is colloquially known as the girls’ version of Eton College as the institution offers top-notch education at the highest level. The school has produced some of the most academically successful and well-rounded students that find themselves venturing into some of the world’s most prestigious universities. You can read our full guide on Roedean School here.

7) Benenden School – A*/A Grade: 57%

Founded in 1923, Benenden School lies in the heart of lush Kent countryside, with a vast 240 acres of field and forest in its possession. The school aims to imbue values such as the 4Cs – Confidence, Compassion, Courage and Courtesy while preparing girls for their future. Some interesting facts – roughly a third of girls are in the sixth form. There are six boarding Houses for 11-16 year olds (Echyngham, Guldeford, Hemsted, Marshall, Medway and Norris). The Sixth Form have their own Founders Sixth Form Centre, which is divided into four Houses (Beeches, Elms, Limes and Oaks).

6) St Swithun’s School – A*/A Grade: 60.8%

Located in Winchester, St Swithun’s School has a long-standing reputation for academic rigour. Weekly and full boarding options are available at the School. Boarders at St Swithun’s often comment that boarding is their favourite element of school-life. Full boarders make up just under a third of our boarders. A host of activities are offered at weekends. Boarders are expected to fully contribute to the School’s boarding community and to seek to improve it for the benefit everyone. You can read our full review of St Swithun’s School here.

5) St Mary’s School, Ascot – A*/A Grade: 62%

St Mary’s School, Ascot is a Roman Catholic independent day and boarding school for girls in Ascot, Berkshire, England. It is a member of the Girls’ Schools Association. It was named 2015 “Public School of the Year” at the annual Tatler Schools Awards. The school prides itself on being an academic driven community, supported by a strong teaching staff and excellent pastoral care

4) Downe House – A*/A Grade: 64%

Downe House School is a selective independent girls’ day and boarding school in Cold Ash, a village near Newbury, Berkshire, for girls aged 11–18. Downe House is one of the leading traditional girls boarding school with a sharp focus on the future. Whether you are drawn to academics or the arts, Downe House has programs suited for the development of each of its students. system.

3) Mayfield School – A*/A Grade: 70%

Settled in Mayfield, the School was originally founded in 1846 by Cornelia Connelly, a woman ahead of her time. In 1872 the School moved to The Old Palace of Archbishop of Canterbury. All classrooms and facilities are situated on one site. The stunning medieval chapel that can seat every student is central to School’s life. The School has a unique ethos as it encourages girls to question everything and not to take anything for granted.

2) Cheltenham Ladies’ College – A*/A Grade: 72.6%

Founded in 1853, the school was established as a place to provide a “sound academic education for girls”. Starting with 82 students then, the school now has over 800 pupils at a time. The school has over 120 full-time teaching staff, and a further 40 part-time teachers, as well as 40 music and drama teachers. It is one of the most premium girls’ boarding schools in the uk. Check out our Cheltenham Ladies College guide here.

1) Wycombe Abbey School – A*/A Grade: 90%

Once again, Wycombe Abbey is the top girls’ boarding school based on academic results. The dedication to the pursuit of excellence and the development of each pupil’s character and individual talents forms the foundation of Wycombe Abbey’s long, distinguished history. Despite its accomplishments, Wycombe’s mission is simple – To inspire students to strive for ambitious goals and to recognise that they can make a positive difference in the world, now and in the future.

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