Ages 
A culture of high expectations and excellence in all aspects of school life produces a fast-paced but joyful learning environment. Sporty or arty, science geek or creative spirit, the ‘open-minded teachers who encourage self-expression and such a breadth of opportunities means any child can thrive here so long as they enjoy academic challenge’, affirmed one happy parent, who adds that ‘if girls come with an idea, they will listen and see how they can make it happen’. In the words of one satisfied pupil, ‘It’s a fun place to go to school’.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 822 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 232 ·
- Religion
- C of E
- Fees
- £37,242 - £40,227 pa
- Local authority
- London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
Headteacher
High mistress
Liz Hewer
Since September 2025, Liz Hewer, previously head of St George’s Ascot. A teacher’s daughter, she progressed from school in Warwick to Cambridge, notching up numerous hockey blues alongside a geography degree. Dabbled with computers at IBM but wasn’t
Entrance
At 11+, up to 115 places in five classes. Entrance is based on overall performance through the school’s stages of assessment and interviews. Pre-test taken in the autumn term of year 6 weeds out those who’ll never make it. Those who pass sit a
- Open days
- See website
Exit
A handful leave after GCSEs to try co-ed or boarding, but the great majority stay on and gain places at top-flight universities both at home and abroad. ‘HE and careers advice is excellent,’ say students and the Old Paulina network is also ‘really
Latest results
In 2025, 99 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 89 per cent A*/A at A level (96 per cent A*-B).
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
‘It’s a very bespoke education with a genuinely imaginative approach,’ approved one parent. Some arrive in year 7 having done GCSE maths, others already Tolstoy enthusiasts and SPGS calmly adapts accordingly while encouraging new discoveries. SPGS
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Learning support team of four works primarily on a one-to-one basis and liaises closely with external provision locally. Team includes a specialist in transition from state primaries and also a recent school-leaver who acts as a learning mentor. Just
Arts & extracurricular
Music is simply stellar here. Gustav Holst set a high bar when he was director of music (there’s a beautiful stained-glass panel of the planets next to the wood-panelled singing hall). About 70 per cent play at least one instrument and many students
Sport
Sport is embraced enthusiastically, with an emphasis on fun and fitness but also (parents note positively) increasingly successful in fixtures, primarily lacrosse and netball in the winter, with football in years 7-9 and cricket in the summer — the
Ethos & heritage
Founded in 1904 to complement the boys’ school after the latter had been around some 400 years, SPGS is now widely regarded as the Parthenon of girls’ selective independent education in England. A handsome but imposing red-brick building in Queen
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
School ‘does an exceptional job’ of wrapping its arms round the girls pastorally, say parents. ‘It’s very much front-line care, they don’t just delegate to the counselling team’. The pastoral team ‘really really knows the girls’ is the parental
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 Students are permitted to bring phones to school provided they adhere to the requirements set out in the mobile phone policy which reflect the age-appropriateness of the different school years. Years 7-11: All mobile phones must be switched off and kept in the student’s bag or securely stored in their locker from their arrival at school to 4pm. Years 12-13: All mobile phones must be switched off and out of sight during form time, assemblies, whilst walking around the school site, and lessons unless a teacher has given permission to use a mobile device.
Pupils & parents
Exceptionally able girls across the board, typically independent self-starters though ‘there is no identikit SPGS pupil’. They appreciate that student voice counts, assuring us, ‘We can make change in our community, it’s easy to talk to teachers’.
Money matters
One of the nation’s most expensive day schools, but about 11 per cent of girls are on bursaries of between 85 and 100 per cent. School is working hard to increase this to 20 per cent.
- Fee information
- £37,242 - £40,227 pa
The last word
A culture of high expectations and excellence in all aspects of school life produces a fast-paced but joyful learning environment. Sporty or arty, science geek or creative spirit, the ‘open-minded teachers who encourage self-expression and such a
