Abbotshill Competitors

A family of 25 girls’ schools, including 23 independent schools and two academies, across England and Wales. We have over 4,000 staff, over 19,000 students between the ages of three and 18, and an alumnae network of over 100,000 - the largest of its kind in the UK. As a charity that owns and runs a network of girls' schools in England and Wales, it reinvests all its income in its schools. Founded in 1872, the GDST has a long history of pioneering innovation in the education of girls, and is the largest single educator of girls in the UK (and the UK’s largest educational charity). GDST schools and academies: ● The Belvedere Academy, Liverpool ● Birkenhead High School Academy ● Blackheath High School ● Brighton Girls ● Bromley High School ● Croydon High School ● Howell’s School, Llandaff, Cardiff ● Kensington Prep School ● Newcastle High School for Girls ● Northampton High School ● Northwood College for Girls ● Norwich High School for Girls ● Notting Hill & Ealing High School ● Nottingham Girls’ High School ● Oxford High School ● Portsmouth High School ● Putney High School ● Redmaids' High School, Bristol ● Royal High School, Bath ● Sheffield Girls' ● South Hampstead High School ● Streatham & Clapham High School ● Sutton High School ● Sydenham & Dulwich Girls ● Wimbledon High School

Harrow School is one of the world’s most well-known schools. Founded in 1572 by a local yeoman farmer, John Lyon, under a Royal Charter granted by Queen Elizabeth I, it is located on a 324-acre estate encompassing much of Harrow on the Hill in north-west London. Around 840 boys aged 13 to 18, from all over Britain and across the world, live in the School’s 12 boarding houses. There are about 120 teaching staff and over 500 non-teaching staff, working together in a friendly community. All members of staff at the School work to a single, uniting purpose: to prepare boys with diverse backgrounds and abilities for a life of learning, leadership, service and personal fulfilment. Our statement of purpose has Harrow’s boys at its heart and is borne out through our various areas of activity – teaching that helps boys achieve their best academically, pastoral care that matures them both emotionally and spiritually, and an extra-curricular programme that develops their characters and interests. Harrow is part of a much larger family, which is made up of John Lyon’s Foundation, the Harrow International Schools, and the Harrow Club (a centre for sport and education for young people in Notting Dale that the Foundation helped to establish). John Lyon’s Foundation is made up of a Charter Corporation comprising Harrow School, John Lyon School (a nearby day school for boys) Quainton Hall School, and John Lyon’s Charity (a grant-giving charity that gives over £10 million a year to schools and other organisations in the boroughs of north-west London).

Canford is among the top co-educational UK boarding schools for pupils aged 13-18. It is nationally recognised for its high quality education, and is also regarded as among the best independent schools in Dorset and in the south of England. It ranks No.1 for A Level results in Sunday Times Parent Power, and was Tatler School of the Year and Boarding School of the Year (ISP) in past 5 years. Set on a 250 acre campus just outside Wimborne, it offers an inspirational educational setting with a vision for all to Explore, Express and Excel. Academic achievement is excellent with impressive outcomes. Over 95% of Upper Sixth leavers move on to top universities and higher education courses each year, including over 80 places at Oxbridge and 100 to Medical Schools in the past decade. In addition, places are regularly offered to prestigious art colleges and music conservatoires; for further education in the USA (Canford is an official SAT testing centre) and on degree apprenticeships, most recently with Goldman Sachs. Careers advice starts in Year 9 and pupils have access to contact with OCs and current parents working in a wide range of industries. There are also regular networking events held for OCs at home and abroad – Once a Canfordian, Always a Canfordian. There is a diverse range of intellectual, artistic, cultural and sporting activities on offer for all abilities and pupils are encouraged to make connections between all aspects of their learning. Whether your passion is debating global issues with Model UN, racing an electric F24 car, playing national level netball or with Bath Rugby Academy, music making with the National Youth Orchestra, rowing at Henley or winning a national Maths challenge – these are just some of many opportunities grasped by our pupils as they develop their interests and aim high. Facilities include a sports complex, theatre, music school, art gallery, 9 hole golf course, Real Tennis court and boathouse.