When you’re looking for an independent girls school in North London, you’re not just choosing a building or a uniform. You’re choosing the environment where your daughter will spend her most formative years - where curiosity is nurtured, confidence is built, and leadership isn’t just taught, it’s lived. The best schools in this part of London don’t just prepare girls for exams; they prepare them for life.
What Makes an Independent Girls School in North London Different?
Independent girls schools in North London operate outside the state system, which means they have the freedom to design curricula that focus on depth, not just breadth. These schools often have smaller class sizes - typically under 18 students per class - allowing teachers to tailor lessons to individual learning styles. At schools like North London Collegiate School and St. Paul’s Girls’ School, the average student-to-teacher ratio is 1:9, giving each girl real access to academic support.
Unlike co-ed schools, these institutions design their teaching methods around how girls learn best. Research from the Girls’ Schools Association shows that girls in single-sex environments are 40% more likely to choose STEM subjects at A-level. At Camden School for Girls, for example, over 60% of Year 13 students take Physics or Further Maths - far above the national average for girls’ schools.
Top Independent Girls Schools in North London
North London is home to some of the most academically rigorous and culturally rich girls’ schools in the country. Here are the most consistently high-performing:
- North London Collegiate School (NLCS) - Founded in 1850, NLCS sits on a 35-acre campus in Canons Park. It consistently ranks in the top 5 UK schools for A-level results, with 42% of grades at A* in 2025. The school offers a unique Global Leadership Programme, where students design and run international projects with partners in Rwanda and Japan.
- St. Paul’s Girls’ School - Located in Brook Green, this school has an 89% rate of students entering Russell Group universities. Its science department is renowned, with dedicated robotics labs and a partnership with Imperial College London for Year 10 research placements.
- Camden School for Girls - Known for its progressive ethos, Camden offers a broad curriculum that includes mandatory public speaking from Year 7 and a thriving debate society. In 2025, 97% of students achieved A*-B in at least three A-levels.
- Queen’s College, London - The first girls’ school in the UK to offer GCSEs (back in 1904), Queen’s now combines traditional academic excellence with digital innovation. Every student receives a tablet preloaded with custom learning apps developed in-house.
- St. Mary’s School, Cambridge Heath - Though smaller, this school punches above its weight. With 100% of students going on to university in 2025, its focus on emotional intelligence and resilience training sets it apart.
Academic Outcomes That Matter
Exam results are important, but they’re only part of the story. In North London’s top girls’ schools, success is measured in more than just grades. Take the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), for instance. At NLCS, 92% of Year 12 students complete an EPQ - a university-style research project. Last year, one student developed an AI tool to detect early signs of dyslexia in young readers. Another created a community garden to teach sustainable food systems.
University destinations are equally impressive. In 2025, 31 girls from St. Paul’s went to Oxford or Cambridge. But what’s more telling is that 78% of graduates from North London’s top girls’ schools go into careers in engineering, law, medicine, or tech - fields historically dominated by men. The schools don’t just encourage girls to enter these fields; they give them the tools to lead in them.
Extracurriculars That Build Character
These schools don’t just fill days with lessons. They fill them with purpose. At Camden, every girl must take part in a community service project by Year 9. At St. Paul’s, the music department runs a full orchestra, choir, and jazz band - and over half the students play at least one instrument to a professional standard.
Outdoor education is taken seriously. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is mandatory at NLCS, and students hike the Lake District or cycle through the North Downs. One alumna, now a climate scientist, credits her first expedition - a 48-hour solo navigation challenge in the Pennines - with teaching her how to stay calm under pressure.
And then there’s drama. North London girls’ schools have some of the strongest theatre programs in the country. Queen’s College stages a full Shakespeare production every year, performed in a professional West End-style auditorium. In 2025, two students from St. Mary’s were selected for the National Youth Theatre’s summer intensive - a rare achievement for girls under 16.
Admissions and Entry Requirements
Getting into these schools isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible. Most require an entrance exam - usually in English, maths, and verbal/non-verbal reasoning - taken in Year 6 or 7. Some, like St. Paul’s, also require an interview and a written essay. The key is preparation, not tutoring.
Many schools offer bursaries and scholarships. At NLCS, over 20% of students receive financial aid based on need. St. Paul’s has a dedicated outreach program that visits state primary schools to identify talented girls who might not otherwise consider applying.
Deadlines matter. For Year 7 entry, applications typically open in September of the previous year. For Sixth Form (Year 12), most schools require GCSE results and a separate application by December. Missing a deadline can mean waiting a full year.
What Parents Say
Parents don’t choose these schools because they’re expensive. They choose them because they see a difference. One mother from Hampstead said, “My daughter came home from her first week at NLCS and said, ‘Mum, I didn’t know girls could be this loud in class.’ She meant she wasn’t afraid to raise her hand. That’s the moment I knew we made the right choice.”
Another parent from Finchley recalled how her daughter, who had struggled with anxiety in a co-ed setting, thrived after switching to Camden. “She started leading the school’s mental health peer group. She didn’t just find her voice - she found her purpose.”
Is It Worth the Cost?
Tuition fees for these schools range from £15,000 to £22,000 per year. That’s a significant sum. But when you look at the long-term return - higher university acceptance rates, stronger career trajectories, and the confidence to challenge the status quo - the value becomes clear.
Compare it to the cost of private tutoring, therapy, or gap-year programs to catch up later. Many of these schools offer free academic mentoring, career coaching, and mental health support - services that cost thousands elsewhere.
And remember: these aren’t just schools. They’re ecosystems designed to turn shy girls into confident leaders, quiet thinkers into bold innovators, and unsure students into women who change the world.
Next Steps for Parents
If you’re considering an independent girls school in North London, here’s what to do next:
- Visit at least three schools in person. Look at how students interact with teachers - are they curious? Confident? Engaged?
- Ask about the school’s approach to resilience and emotional wellbeing. Don’t just accept the brochure answer - ask for examples.
- Check the latest inspection reports from ISI (Independent Schools Inspectorate). Look for ratings in “Student Personal Development” and “Leadership Opportunities.”
- Connect with current parents. Most schools have parent ambassadors - ask for their contact details.
- Apply early. Deadlines are strict, and places fill up fast, especially for Year 7 entry.
There’s no perfect school. But there are schools that match your daughter’s strengths, interests, and potential. And in North London, you have more than enough options to find one that does.
What is the difference between an independent girls school and a state school in North London?
Independent girls schools are privately funded and not controlled by the local authority. They set their own curriculum, hire their own staff, and choose their own admissions criteria. This gives them more flexibility to focus on girls’ learning styles, offer smaller classes, and provide deeper academic support. State schools follow the national curriculum and have larger class sizes, often over 30 students.
Do independent girls schools in North London offer scholarships?
Yes, most top schools offer scholarships based on academic merit, music, art, or sport, and bursaries based on financial need. St. Paul’s Girls’ School and NLCS provide up to 100% fee waivers for families who qualify. Applications usually require proof of income and a separate entrance exam or audition.
When should I start applying for Year 7 entry?
Start researching schools in September of the year before your daughter turns 10. Most schools open applications in October, with entrance exams held in January. Interviews and offers follow by March. Waiting until December means you risk missing deadlines - places fill quickly.
Are these schools only for high-achieving students?
No. While they are academically strong, they welcome girls with different strengths - from artists to athletes to quiet thinkers. Many schools offer tailored support for students with learning differences. What they look for is potential, not perfection. A girl who asks thoughtful questions, shows curiosity, and tries hard will thrive.
How do these schools support mental health and wellbeing?
Top schools have dedicated wellbeing teams, including counsellors, learning mentors, and peer support networks. Many run weekly mindfulness sessions, resilience workshops, and student-led mental health campaigns. At Camden School for Girls, every Year 9 student completes a mental health first aid course. The focus is on prevention, not just crisis response.
