Haberdashers’ Girls’ School

Since 2023, Dr Hazel Bagworth-Mann. A historian by training, she gained her degree and PhD from Brunel University and originally worked for the Historical Manuscript Commission (‘the dream job for a history graduate’) before making the ‘natural move’

Ferociously competitive – between 450-500 applicants for the 70-80 places (who join the 45 or so moving up from the junior school), split into six forms. They come from state primaries and prep schools including Manor Lodge, Radlett Prep, Orley Farm,

Around 85 per cent stay on after GCSEs (school says any leavers usually move on for financial reasons and ‘myths about Oxbridge’). Habs girls know when they are onto a good thing. Vast majority to Russell Group universities. Bristol, Birmingham,

In 2025, 93 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 77 per cent A*/A at A level.

School continuously shows its gleaming mettle, flying amongst the top schools in the UK in all league tables. Parents told us of ‘bright’ and ‘driven’ daughters feeding off the school’s ‘high expectations’ and ‘academic rigour’. ‘They’re easily a

Full-time ‘head of individual needs’ (equivalent to SENCo) and part-time deputy described by parents as an ‘amazing team’ who ‘always respond quickly’. Screening on entry helps identify any previously missed dyslexia – the most common condition on

We met girls doing more than five clubs a week (160 to choose from), others who had set up societies (eg banking and finance society, South Asian society, editing the school magazine) and some who spent their lunchtimes working on projects such as F1

High octane sports programme, with five-star facilities across the board – seven tennis courts, fabulous swimming pool (lifeguard training anyone?), sports hall, gym and fitness suite among them. Elite athletes at regional and national level in

Pastoral care has ramped up tenfold since our last visit, when we still noted some parent grumblings – the current head seen as largely responsible for prioritising mental health with two pastoral leads having joined the existing counsellors and

Girls are diligent, resilient, articulate and go-getting, but not the type to trample over others to reach the top. One who was naturally loquacious kept stopping herself to let a quieter one speak. ‘It’s more collegiate than sharp-elbowed,’ agreed a

Up to £3.6m a year means-tested financial assistance across both schools for around six per cent of pupils, including full bursaries. Academic and music scholarships worth up to 25 per cent of fees – plus others in art, creative writing, drama and

One of the best academic girls’ schools around – and it has caught up pastorally too. Innovation prioritised since our last visit, as well as more co-ed options – both testament to the school’s promise to prepare these confident, likeable young women