10 Facts about independent girls’ schools

1. UK independent girls’ schools educate over 100,000 pupils at 179 schools. Approximately 9,500 of these are boarders.(i)

2. In 2011, 22.3% of A Level exam entries from girls in Girls’ Schools Association (‘GSA’) schools were awarded the top A* grade, as compared with 18.3% from girls from co-educational independent schools.(ii)

3. 59.6% of A Level exam entries from GSA girls were awarded grade A or higher (ie A / A*) in 2011, as compared with 52.8% from girls from co-educational independent schools.(ii)

4. Compared to all girls nationally, in GSA schools over 70% more girls took A Level maths; over 50% more girls took a science at A Level; over 90% more girls took a physical science (physics or chemistry) at A Level; and over 80% more girls studied French, German or Spanish at A Level.(v)

5. Girls in over 68% of GSA schools routinely represent their country at international level in their chosen sport and over 87% of GSA schools have pupils who compete at national level.(iv)

6. 95% of sixth formers in independent girls’ schools go on to higher education and 92.5% to university. This is the highest university transition rate in the independent schools sector.(i)

7. Eight of the top 10 places in the 2011 Times A Level league table are GSA schools.

8. GSA schools spent £118 million during 2010 on new buildings, equipment and refurbishment, amounting to £1,265 per pupil.(i)

9. Over a quarter of pupils in GSA schools receive some assistance with their fees from their school.(i)

10. Independent girls’ schools are at the forefront of national developments – e.g. the first independent school to be awarded Training School status in 2011 was an independent girls’ school.(iii)

(i) Independent Schools Council 2010 Census – girls’ schools figures relate to schools whose heads are members of the Girls’ Schools Association
(ii) Independent Schools Council 2011 Exam Results Survey
(iii) King Edward VI High School for Girls
(iv) 2011 survey of over 180 GSA members and associate members
(v) GSA survey