Founded 1880.
Wimbledon High School is part of the GDST (Girls’ Day School Trust). The GDST is the leading network of independent girls’ schools in the UK. As a charity that owns and runs 23 schools and two academies, it reinvests all its income in its schools. For further information about the Trust, see p. xxiii or visit www.gdst.net. Pupil numbers. Junior School: 340 aged 4–11; Senior School: 730, including 195 in the Sixth Form.
Wimbledon High School combines academic strength with a firm belief that learning should be fun. Fionnuala Kennedy became Head in September 2020, having been Deputy for 5 years prior. “This is a school with a strong sense of community – academically very successful, yet where laughter abounds. Our students live life to the full, taking themselves seriously while holding themselves lightly.” Results at A Level and GCSE are consistently extremely high, music and drama are a vibrant part of school life and the school has had national representation and success in swimming, hockey, netball and rowing, amongst other sports. Activities include World Challenge, Model United Nations and The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, alongside many smaller clubs and societies, from Coding social robots to Gardening. The older students often run these themselves.
A holistic and innovative programme of pastoral care, GROW, underpins school life, with the aim for each student to be known, supported and able to shine. The student leadership team includes an equality, diversity and inclusion rep – further broadening diversity is a key focus for the school, led by the Assistant Head Pastoral and Inclusion. Partnership activities are extensive: a three year programme sees Y11 and Y12 students mentoring pupils from Y4 (SHINE - Serious Fun on Saturdays programme) through weekly Thursday afternoon STRIVE sessions in Y5 and into THRIVE in Y6, helping build confidence and self-efficacy in debating, music and drama, as well as literacy and Maths. An annual Speak Up Y6! initiative further develops speaking skills in partnership schools' children.
Junior and Senior Schools share one central Wimbledon site, with a swimming pool and sports hall, Performing Arts Centre, auditorium, dining hall, STEAM tower (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths) and Sixth Form Centre with cafe and designated A level study space. The playing fields are ten minutes’ walk away at Nursery Road (the site of the original All England Club) providing a full-size, all-weather (and recently relaid) hockey pitch and five netball/tennis courts. Cricket and football are growing sports and a number of students represent their sport on a national and international stage, latterly: tennis, gymnastics, hockey, netball and swimming.
The Junior School provides an enriching academic education in a stimulating environment, with specialist teachers for PE, languages, music and science. The curriculum, Adventum, and comprehensive co-curricular offer, Arcadia, put an emphasis on play and outdoor education. An after-school club offers flexibility to working parents. Sports teams do well, as do the school’s chess players, actors and musicians.
The Senior School curriculum runs over a two week timetable. In Key Stage 3, students study English, Mathematics and Sciences; they learn two of French, German and Spanish, as well as Latin, Geography, History, Religious Studies, PE, Music, Drama, Art, Design & Technology (graphics, textiles and product design on rotation), Computer Science, study skills and PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education). Mandarin starts as an optional club in Year 9.
At Key Stage 4, girls choose 9 GCSE subjects, of which one must be a Modern Foreign Language (Mandarin is an option), with the possibility of adding Classical Greek as a 10th GCSE. PE and PHSE continue. A bespoke Politics, Philosophy & Economics (PPE) course in Year 10 brings breadth beyond the curriculum and new this year is the school’s Civil Discourse programme. The school holds regular lectures for older students, parents and staff.
In the Sixth Form, students may choose from the same subjects on offer at GCSE plus Further Mathematics, Economics, Politics, Psychology, History of Art and Classical Civilisation. There is a high uptake of Maths and science subjects and in recent years students have undertaken and published novel research in scientific journals. A comprehensive programme of careers and university entrance advice is offered, including specialist support for applications to overseas universities, medical and veterinary courses, Oxbridge, and a focus on entrepreneurship.
Admissions. 4+ entry is by ballot.
For 11+ entry, candidates sit papers in Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning (round 1). Round 2 is a creative assessment, with group activities across a whole morning or afternoon.
The occasional entry examination for other years tests Maths and English.
16+ assessment comprises entrance exam and interviews. Offers of places are conditional upon GCSE grade 8 or above (A* or A) in candidates’ chosen A Level subjects, and a minimum of eight GCSEs (grades 6–9) overall.
Fees per term (2024-2025). Senior School £7,718; Junior School £5,999.
The fees cover the regular curriculum, school books, choral music, games and swimming.
Scholarships and Bursaries. Academic scholarships are awarded to girls who do exceptionally well in the 11+ exam, typically worth 5% of the fees. There are also music and sport scholarships at 11+. At 16+ there are scholarships in Art, Drama, Music and Sport, worth up to 10%, as well as Academic scholarships. Details and application forms are available online.
Bursaries take account of academic merit, but all are means-tested. The maximum value is the full fee, and bursaries cover other costs, such as uniform, too.
Charitable status. Wimbledon High School is part of The Girls’ Day School Trust, which is a Registered Charity, number 306983.