GSA
GSA
GIRLS’ SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION
The Girls’ Schools Association is a membership organisation that champions girls and their teachers so that they have the best chances to excel in the lives they choose to lead. An expert in girls’ education, GSA defends girls’ best interests and regularly commissions rigorous research to demonstrate the modern relevance and enduring power of a girls-only education.
Its 152 schools-strong membership is made up of Heads from a diverse range of independent and state girls’ schools, including many of the top performing in the UK. Together they educate over 100,000 students.
Rigorous research proves the power of a girls’ education developed for girls.The data shows girls’ schools are crucial to achieving gender equality; girls’ schools level the playing field for girls. GSA has consistently advocated in the best interests of girls and women, and always has over its 150 year history. Research shows that girls thrive in all-girls educational environments.
Academics: Girls in girls’ schools consistently achieve better grades in all subjects and outperform girls in other kinds of schools. They love Science and Maths; are 2.7 times as likely to take Further Maths A Level; and more than twice as likely to take Physics and Computer Science at A Level, compared to girls in other schools.
Sport: Girls play the most sport and for the longest time in comparison to girls in other kinds of schools. The gap between boys and girls playing sport is widening in co-educational schools, with many girls stopping playing sport altogether. This is not the case in GSA schools, where girls relish their physical prowess and the simple joy of playing team and individual sports because they feel free to.
Confidence and mental agility: Girls in girls’ schools generally possess higher mental toughness scores than those in other schools which helps them to grow into capable and self-assured young adults.
Combining exceptional, grounded, and rigorous academic provision with a deep understanding of what girls need to thrive, GSA schools put girls first to foster their courage, curiosity, and self-belief in their abilities, and ambitions.
Modern girls’ schools offer an array of options to suit every family and pupil including day, boarding, junior, senior, large, small, urban or rural, with each offering every girl numerous opportunities to fully realise their potential as active, equal, confident and competent women. GSA alumnae are testament to the power of an all-girls education, and many are world-renowned women forging brighter futures for the next generation of change makers. Excelling in all careers, including the traditionally male-dominated professions, they include scientists, international campaigners and activists, artists and actresses, foreign correspondents, Olympic medallists, and businesswomen.
GSA schools are respected internationally and have an impressive global reputation. Fostering the highest standards of education, pastoral care and co-curricular activity, alongside a wealth of extra-curricular opportunity in art, music, drama, sport and more. They share experience, specialisms, events, and facilities in a variety of cross-sector school partnerships. Annually, GSA schools collectively provide £146 million in fee assistance and transformative bursaries to welcome families and pupils to a complete education for young women.
A powerful, well-respected association within the educational establishment, GSA is committed to enhancing the understanding of the benefits of girls’ schools, always working to inform and influence the national and international education debate, and commissioning, conducting, and collating pertinent research. In addition to acting as advocate, GSA provides its members and their schools with professional development courses, conferences, advice, and opportunities to debate and share best practice.
The GSA works closely with the Association of School and College Leaders, is a member of the Independent Schools Council, and joins hands with organisations in the UK and internationally – such as the Association of State Girls’ School (UK), the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools (US) and the Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia – in the interests of girls’ education worldwide.
GSA’s goal is to create the world as it should be, a place where every girl can achieve and lead; and it is GSA’s belief that a girl’s education gives girls the skills and appetite to unleash their full talents, and realise brilliant lives.
Officers 2024–2025 | | |
President: | Alex Hutchinson | James Allen's Girls' School |
Vice-President: | Marina Gardiner Legge | Oxford High School GDST |
President Elect: | Lindsey Hughes | Channing School |
Treasurer: | Sarah Matthews | Truro High School for Girls |
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Committee Chairs | | |
Boarding: | Liz Hewer | St George’s School, Ascot |
Education: | Helen Jeys | Manchester High School for Girls |
Inclusion: | Heidi-Jayne Boyes | Wakefield Girls' High School |
Junior and Prep: | Sophie Banks | Pembridge Hall School |
Membership & Accreditation: | Clare Macro | Edgbaston High School for Girls |
Research: | Nicola Griffiths | St Mary's School, Colchester |
Safeguarding & Pastoral: | Ruth Sullivan | The Sherborne Girls |
Sport and Wellness: | Sarah Rollings | Heathfield School |
Higher Education and Futures: | Gemma Gibson (from Jan 2025) | Bedford Girls’ School |
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Regional Representatives | | |
East: | Jo Cameron | Queenswood |
London: | Richard Tillett | Queen's College London |
Midlands: | Fiona Miles | Loughborough High School |
North East: | Carole Cameron | Queen Mary's School, Thirsk |
North West: | TBC |
Scotland: | Anna Tomlinson | St Margaret's School for Girls, Aberdeen |
South Central: | Jo Duncan | Wycombe Abbey School |
South East: | Anna King | Notre Dame School |
South West & Wales: | Jessica Miles | Monmouth School for Girls |
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Secretariat | |
Chief Executive: | Donna Stevens |
Operations Director: | Imogen Vanderpump |
Membership Director: | Sue Hincks |
Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive: | Jeven Sharma |
Head of Events and Sponsorship: | Claire de la Motte |
Membership Manager: | Natasha Hampton-Street (from 6 Jan 2025) |
Conference & Events Manager: | Jennifer Gladman |
Head of Media & Communications: | Rachel Donati |
Research & Communications Officer: | Robert Preston |
Accounts: | Rehana Alimahomed |
Membership Administrator: | Amy Preston |
Social Media Manager: | Emma Lewis |
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Girls’ Schools Association
Suite 105, 108 New Walk, Leicester, LE1 7EA