Ages 
A diverse, inclusive and friendly all-ability school that’s ambitious for its girls, while keeping pastoral care and a sense of joyfulness at its heart.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 1,170 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 165 ·
- Local authority
- London Borough of Barnet
Headteacher
Headteacher
Mrs Violet Walker
Since 2015, Violet Walker BSc (UCL), MA (Brunel), NPQEL. She qualified as an accountant, then a psychotherapist, before pursuing a career in teaching – and meeting her makes you wonder if this should be mandatory for all heads. Her financial
Entrance
Academically non-selective, with three to four applications for each of the 210 year 7 places. Entrance by Barnet’s community criteria (looked-after children, then siblings, then distance from the gates). But because many applications come from
- Open days
- Contact school office for details.
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Of all the London boroughs, Barnet has the largest number of 16+ students moving borough to finish their education – and this school is not immune, with the 35 per cent of girls who leave after GCSEs tending to head to eg Harrow, with its excellent
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
What is this?
The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.
Latest results
In 2025, 37 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 66 per cent 9-4 in both English and maths. At A level 13 per cent A*/A, (36 per cent A*/B)
GCSE - % of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
We saw well-planned and engaging lessons delivered by supportive teachers. Debates galore in RS, practical maths and plenty of bubbling, fizzing and smells of burning across the seven science labs. ‘Shame you weren’t here for dissection week,’ said
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- BTEC
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Eight per cent on the SEN register, mainly for dyslexia, ADHD and autism. Ten EHCPs when we visited, with another one pending (school will support applications). Learning support is mainly classroom based, but some KS3 students get additional
Arts & extracurricular
Over 40 clubs run at lunchtimes and after school – foreign film club, LAMDA, Latin and drama etc – though some girls feel there could be more and report that ‘some fizzle out, which is a shame’. Competitions regularly entered – we met a girl who’d
Sport
Netball has the edge on football, but it’s marginal – and the girls love their dodgeball. Plenty on offer besides, especially athletics, though some girls and parents feel the variety could be greater. Good facilities include large on-site pool
Ethos & heritage
Named for Elizabeth I, who agreed to the school on the back of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, requesting a charter for ‘the education, bringing up and instruction’ of boys, and – at a future date – a school for girls. The boys’ school was founded
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Excels pastorally, in large part thanks to the head’s psychotherapeutic background. She has employed a child and adolescent clinical psychologist to visit twice-weekly for girls on long waiting lists for CAHMS, as well as a qualified paediatric
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Since 2017, smartphones are not permitted at school. Students are permitted to bring in non-camera/non internet enabled mobile device, which must be secured by passwords or pin codes to protect access to the phone’s functions. The school accepts no responsibility for mobile phones that are lost, damaged or stolen on school premises or transport, during school visits or trips, or while students are travelling to and from school. Sixth formers earn the privilege of using mobile devices, subject to the school's ICT ‘acceptable use policy’. They are expected to be role models to our younger students, and the use of devices is limited to the designated sixth form areas.
Pupils & parents
The school is located in a leafy, primarily middle-class commuter suburb, but there’s a wide socio-economic mix and parents say it’s one of the most ethnically diverse schools in the area. ‘My daughter has friends in all camps – that’s part of the
Money matters
Funds from the original endowment still provide financial aid for those who could not otherwise afford it to participate in activities and trips, as well as supporting small capital projects.
The last word
A diverse, inclusive and friendly all-ability school that’s ambitious for its girls, while keeping pastoral care and a sense of joyfulness at its heart.
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Short inspection: Good
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Leadership and management | Good |
|---|---|
| Sixth form provision | Good |
Full inspection: Requires improvement
| Leadership and management | Requires improvement |
|---|
