Queenswood is a progressive boarding and day school for around 450 girls aged 11 to 18, with boarders making up approximately half of the student body. Founded in 1894 and relocated to its beautiful 120-acre Hertfordshire campus in 1925, Queenswood offers a holistic education that enables girls to flourish academically, socially, and personally. Just 20 minutes from central London, the school enjoys the best of both worlds: a peaceful countryside setting with easy access to the cultural richness of the capital.
At the heart of Queenswood is a commitment to nurturing confident, compassionate young women who are equipped for life in the 21st century. Our dynamic academic curriculum is complemented by an extensive co-curricular programme, with over 150 activities that inspire intellectual curiosity, creativity, and leadership.
Queenswood consistently delivers exceptional value-added results, with pupils regularly exceeding their predicted grades, particularly at GCSE. Every girl follows a personalised learning journey, with development targets tailored to her learning style and potential. Whether she is excelling or needs additional support, her progress is guided with care and precision by our dedicated teaching and learning teams.
The school is a close-knit and welcoming community where every girl is known and supported. Our House system plays a central role in helping pupils build meaningful connections and a strong sense of belonging as they move through the school.
Families can choose the arrangement that suits them best, with girls attending as either day pupils or boarders. Day girls enjoy a full and active school life before returning home in the evenings, while boarders benefit from the vibrant residential community. Boarding is offered flexibly – girls may stay for one, two or three nights a week, opt for weekly boarding, or become full boarders. All pupils, whether day or boarding, participate equally in every aspect of school life.
Queenswood is proud to be an international community with an outward-looking ethos. Around 20% of our pupils come from overseas, enriching the school with diverse perspectives and experiences. We welcome girls of all faiths and none, supporting each individual’s beliefs while encouraging everyone to engage with the school’s inclusive and respectful values.
Pastoral care is central to life at Queenswood. We know that happy girls are successful girls, and our proactive approach to wellbeing ensures that every pupil feels safe, supported, and able to thrive. From the moment they arrive, girls are welcomed into a nurturing environment, with older pupils helping younger ones settle in through our peer mentoring programme. Pastoral support is provided by a dedicated team including tutors, boarding assistants, a wellbeing coordinator, and a full-time school counsellor.
Queenswood girls are ambitious, high-achieving individuals who go on to study at leading universities in the UK and abroad before pursuing a wide range of exciting and meaningful careers. Their talents flourish not only in the classroom but also across sport, music, drama, and the creative arts. Our rich co-curricular programme plays a vital role in developing essential soft skills – such as teamwork, resilience and leadership – which enhance academic performance and prepare girls for life beyond school. Alongside personal achievement, we place strong emphasis on cultivating a sense of responsibility towards others and the wider world. Queenswood girls leave as confident, thoughtful young women with a clear sense of purpose and a strong moral compass.
With over 25 subjects and a broad co-curricular offering, Queenswood provides every girl with the opportunity to explore her interests, uncover her strengths, and grow into an independent learner. As a girls-only school, we create an environment where pupils feel empowered to take risks, speak up, and lead without hesitation. Free from gender stereotypes, girls are encouraged to pursue excellence across all disciplines – from STEM to the arts – developing the skills and self-belief they need to thrive.
We also place great value on personal reflection and open-mindedness. Girls are supported in exploring their thoughts, values and beliefs in a respectful and inclusive environment. True education nurtures not only academic growth but also emotional, moral and social development. All pupils are welcomed and valued as individuals, and are encouraged to engage thoughtfully with the world around them.
Boarding at Queenswood is built on fun, friendship and a strong sense of community. Girls are encouraged to embrace diversity, grow in independence, and develop meaningful connections with those around them. Boarding life offers countless opportunities to try new things, build lifelong friendships, and discover more about themselves and the world. When girls feel supported and inspired, they truly flourish.
Entrance to Queenswood is by examination, interview, and a report from the pupil’s current Headteacher.
Queenswood Scholarships are awarded to girls who demonstrate outstanding promise in a particular field – whether in the classroom, on the sports pitch, in the studio or on the stage. A Queenswood Scholar embodies the school’s core qualities: creativity, resilience, curiosity and reflection. From September 2026, all new scholarships will include a 10% fee remission as standard, and scholars will benefit from bespoke programmes designed to stretch and develop their talents.
Fees per term (2025–2026, inclusive of VAT). Day: £9,355–£11,353; Flexi Boarding (1–3 nights): £9,708–£13,812; Weekly Boarding: £11,132–£14,848; Full Boarding: £13,268–£18,106.
The Old Queenswoodians’ Association (OQA) has over 4,000 members and a vibrant young alumni network that continues to support pupils long after they leave school.
Queenswood School Limited is a Registered Charity (No. 311060), dedicated to providing high-quality education for girls.
Governors & Staff:
Governors:
Mr H James de Sausmarez, BA FCIS (Chair)
Mr Tim Garnham, BSc (Vice Chair)
Mrs Amanda Bringans, OBE, BA, MSc
The Reverend Dr David Chapman, BSc, MA, MPhil, PhD
Mrs Kate Belshaw, LLB Hons, PGDip, LLM, AKC
Mr Rob Garwood, BA Hons, Dip MRS
Mrs Anna Jarrold
Dr Oonagh McGuinness, BSc, MBBS, FRCP, DCH, DRCOG
Mrs Chitra Norman, BSc, CIMA
Mr Jeremy Phelan, BA Hons, MA Ed, PGCE
Mr Martin Simpson
Mr Andrew Slade
Lord Stamp, BA, CA
Principal: Mrs J Cameron, BSc Hons Surrey, PGCE
Bursar: Mr Ian Williams, BEng Hons, ACMA, CGMA
Director of Communications and Marketing: Mrs Andy Nicoll
Senior Deputy Head: Mr Ian Sheldon, MChem Oxon, MEd Cantab, PGCE, MRSC
Deputy Head Pastoral: Mrs Ceri Stokes, BEd Hons, MSc, FMgr, MCMI
Assistant Head, Pupil Data Teaching and Learning: Mr Stephen Daughton, BA Hons, PGCE, MRHS, MA London
Assistant Head, Boarding: Mrs Violaine Ludwick, BA Hons Durham, Maîtrise d’anglais and DEA Université de Limoges, PGCE
Assistant Head, Head of Sixth Form: Mr Chris Fox, BA Hons Sheffield, MA Warwick, MSc Oxon
Deputy Head of Sixth Form: Ms Victoria Greensmith, BSc Hons London, PGCE, NPQSL
Assistant Head, Personalised Learning SENCO: Ms Rachel Stewart, BTh Hons Brunel, NASENCO Hertfordshire
Assistant Head, Digital Strategy: Mr Simon Lovell, BSc Hons Southampton, PGCE
Chaplain: The Reverend Kate Douglas, MBA City University, London
Head of PR, Digital and Media: Mr Nick Kelley, BA Oxon
Admissions Team:
Head of UK Admissions: Miss C Noone
Head of International Admissions: Mrs Adriana Costa-McFadden, BA, MSc
Admissions and Marketing Assistant: Mrs V Leigh
External Relations Administrator: Miss S Lawrence