The City of London isn’t just about skyscrapers, stock exchanges, and centuries-old banks. It’s also home to some of the most selective and academically rigorous schools for girls in the UK. If you’re thinking about where to send a daughter for secondary education - or even just curious about what life looks like for girls growing up in this financial powerhouse - there’s more here than meets the eye.
What Does ‘City of London Girls’ Really Mean?
When people say ‘City of London girls,’ they’re not talking about young women working in finance at 22. They’re referring to students enrolled in the handful of elite, historically all-girls schools located within or immediately adjacent to the Square Mile. These aren’t state comprehensive schools. These are institutions with entrance exams, centuries of tradition, and a track record of sending graduates to Oxford, Cambridge, and top global universities. There are only a few schools that fit this description. The most well-known are:- City of London School for Girls - founded in 1894, located on the banks of the Thames near Tower Bridge.
- St Paul’s Girls’ School - just outside the City in Hammersmith, but often grouped in discussions due to its prestige and proximity.
- North London Collegiate School - technically in Barnet, but draws students from across Central London.
Why Do These Schools Matter?
In 2023, 87% of students from City of London School for Girls entered Russell Group universities. That’s nearly nine out of ten. At St Paul’s Girls’ School, the figure was 91%. Compare that to the national average of around 35% for all state-funded schools, and you start to see the gap. But it’s not just about grades. These schools invest heavily in STEM. At City of London School for Girls, over 60% of A-level students take Further Maths or Physics. More girls from this school go on to study Computer Science at university than from any other girls’ school in England. That’s not luck. It’s intentional design. The curriculum doesn’t stop at exams. Every student completes a research project in Year 11. Many intern at fintech startups, law firms, or even the Bank of England. One 2024 graduate helped design a blockchain-based system to track carbon credits for a London-based environmental NGO - all before turning 18.How Do Girls Get In?
Admission is competitive. For City of London School for Girls, students take the 11+ exam in Year 6. The test covers verbal reasoning, non-verbal reasoning, maths, and English. But passing the test isn’t enough. Schools also look at:- Teacher references
- Personal statements from the girl (yes, they write them)
- Performance in interviews
Life Beyond the Classroom
These aren’t stuffy, old-fashioned institutions. Students run their own debating society, publish a literary magazine, and organize charity fundraisers that raise over £100,000 annually. One group raised money for girls’ education in Malawi by selling handmade candles - and got a shoutout from the Prime Minister. Extracurriculars are taken seriously. The school has a robotics team that competed in the World Robotics Olympiad. The orchestra has performed at the Barbican. The rowing team trains on the Thames every morning before school. And yes - girls still go to school in uniforms. But they’re practical: tailored blazers, smart trousers, and no mandatory ties. The school dropped skirts in 2018 after student feedback. Comfort matters.What Happens After Graduation?
Graduates don’t just become doctors or lawyers. They become founders. In 2023, a former student launched a fintech startup that uses AI to detect fraud in small business loans. It’s now valued at £22 million. Another became the youngest ever female partner at a top London law firm. Many stay in London. Others move to New York, Singapore, or Berlin. The alumni network is powerful. If you’re a City of London School for Girls alum, you can access mentorship programs, job boards, and even seed funding from the school’s venture fund.Is It Worth It?
The fees? Around £18,000 per year. That’s steep. But most schools offer generous bursaries. In 2025, 38% of students at City of London School for Girls received full or partial financial aid. That’s more than one in three. The real question isn’t whether you can afford it. It’s whether your daughter will thrive in an environment that expects excellence - and gives her the tools to reach it. Some girls hate the pressure. Others feel like they’ve finally found their people. One student told a local newspaper: ‘I used to think I had to shrink myself to fit in. Here, I learned how to stand taller.’
What About State Schools?
You don’t need to pay £18,000 a year to get a great education. There are outstanding state schools in London too. Schools like Greenwich High School and Latymer Upper School have similar academic results - and they’re free. But here’s the catch: those schools have waiting lists longer than a London summer. And they don’t always offer the same depth in STEM, music, or leadership programs. If you’re in the City of London and you want your daughter to have access to labs, internships, and university-level research before she’s 16 - you’re probably looking at independent schools.The Bigger Picture
The City of London has one of the highest concentrations of wealth in the world. But it also has pockets of deep poverty. The schools here know that. That’s why they’ve made outreach a priority. They partner with local community centers. They run Saturday classes for girls from underfunded primary schools. They even take teams of students to visit refugee shelters and help run literacy programs. These girls aren’t just learning how to pass exams. They’re learning how to lead - with empathy, with grit, and with a sense of responsibility.Final Thought
‘City of London girls’ isn’t a stereotype. It’s a reality. These are young women who wake up early, solve complex equations, debate ethics in philosophy class, and then go home to tutor their younger siblings. They’re not perfect. They get stressed. They argue with teachers. They binge-watch TikTok after midnight. But they’re also the ones who will run the next tech company, rewrite the laws on climate finance, or lead the next global health initiative. If you’re wondering what’s possible for a girl in this city - look at them. They’re already doing it.Are City of London girls schools only for wealthy families?
No. While fees are high - around £18,000 per year - most of these schools offer substantial financial aid. In 2025, over one-third of students at City of London School for Girls received full or partial bursaries. The schools actively seek talented girls from lower-income backgrounds and provide support for transport, uniforms, and extracurriculars.
Can boys attend City of London girls schools?
No. These are single-sex schools by design. The City of London School for Girls and St Paul’s Girls’ School admit only female students. However, some partner schools - like City of London School for Boys - are nearby and often coordinate joint events, trips, and performances.
What’s the difference between City of London School for Girls and St Paul’s Girls’ School?
Both are top-tier, but they differ in location and culture. City of London School for Girls is right in the financial district - students walk past banks and trading floors every day. St Paul’s is in leafy Hammersmith, with more space and a stronger arts focus. Academically, both are elite, but St Paul’s has slightly higher entry scores. City of London School for Girls has a stronger emphasis on STEM and technology.
Do these schools prepare girls for university abroad?
Yes. Around 15-20% of graduates each year go to universities in the US, Canada, Australia, or Europe. The schools have dedicated university counselors who help with applications to Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and others. Many students apply to both UK and US universities simultaneously.
Is there a catch? Do these schools create too much pressure?
Pressure is real. The workload is heavy, and expectations are high. But these schools also have strong mental health support: counsellors, peer mentoring, and weekly wellbeing sessions. Students report feeling more supported than pressured - especially because success is defined broadly, not just by grades. Leadership, creativity, and community impact matter just as much.
