Sir Jonathan North Girls' College occupies a distinguished position in Leicester as the city's only all-girls multi-faith state secondary school. Located in the Knighton area, it provides a tailored education for approximately 1,200 students aged 11 to 16. The college's reputation for high academic standards and exceptional pastoral care was reaffirmed in early 2025, when it was inspected by Ofsted and awarded Outstanding across all judgement areas.
James McKenna currently serves as the Executive Principal, with Dr Helen Coles-Hennessy as the Associate Principal; both took up their current leadership roles in August 2024. As part of the Lionheart Educational Trust, which the college joined in 2019, students benefit from a wider network of resources and expertise. The college currently sits well above the England average for academic performance, placing it within the top 25% of schools in England (national strong percentile band).
The college's atmosphere is defined by its four core values: resilience, respectfulness, reflectiveness, and resourcefulness. These qualities are visible in the purposeful, ambitious classroom environments where students consistently take pride in their work. The multi-faith character of the school is a defining feature, fostering a highly inclusive culture where diversity is celebrated and respect is a baseline expectation.
The campus on Knighton Lane East combines traditional and modern elements, featuring dedicated libraries and specialist learning zones. The girls-only environment is deliberately cultivated to empower young women, allowing them to pursue subjects like science and cyber security with confidence. Students describe the school as a comfortable and supportive community where they feel empowered to take academic risks and support one another's success.
Academic outcomes at Sir Jonathan North are consistently high, placing the college among the strongest state secondaries in the region. In 2024, the college achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.51, indicating that students make significantly more progress than their peers nationally.
Key 2024 performance metrics (FindMySchool proprietary rankings):
These results reflect an intelligently designed and ambitious curriculum that is curated to reflect students' interests while broadening their horizons. Disadvantaged students and those with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) also achieve highly here, benefitting from targeted interventions and high expectations.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
GCSE 9–7
—
% of students achieving grades 9-7
Teaching is a primary strength of the college, with lessons delivered by staff who possess deep subject knowledge. The curriculum is not merely a vehicle for exams; it is designed to foster a culture of independent learning. This is anchored by a significant focus on reading, with students making extensive use of both departmental and whole-school libraries.
The college has a particular strength in STEM and technical subjects. In late 2025, Year 8 students excelled in the national CyberFirst competition, tackling complex challenges in cryptography, AI, and networking. This integration of modern technical skills into the broader curriculum ensures that students are well-prepared for the digital economy while maintaining a strong foundation in traditional academic subjects.
As an 11 to 16 institution, the college places significant emphasis on transition planning. The majority of students progress to A-level programmes at local sixth-form colleges, with many moving to Beauchamp City Sixth Form, a fellow Lionheart Educational Trust institution.
Careers guidance is integrated from early years, ensuring students are informed about apprenticeships, further education, and technical pathways. 2024 destination data shows that approximately 93% of students remain in education or employment after Year 11, with more than half of the cohort progressing specifically to sixth-form colleges.
Quality of Education
Outstanding
Behaviour & Attitudes
Outstanding
Personal Development
Outstanding
Leadership & Management
Outstanding
Sir Jonathan North is a consistently oversubscribed school. In the most recent intake, the subscription proportion was 1.37, meaning there were nearly 1.4 applications for every available place. Admissions are coordinated by Leicester City Council.
For the 2026-27 entry, the application deadline is 31 October 2025. Offers will be released by the local authority on 2 March 2026. After students with an EHCP naming the school, priority is given to looked-after children and those within the catchment area with siblings at the school. Parents should use the FindMySchoolMap Search to check their precise distance from the school gates to assess their chances of entry in a competitive year.
Applications
281
Total received
Places Offered
205
Subscription Rate
1.4x
Apps per place
Pastoral care at the college is exceptional, with a system that prioritises individual care, guidance, and support. The Vice Principal for Holistic Development also serves as the Designated Safeguarding Lead, ensuring that student safety and wellbeing are at the heart of leadership decisions.
The environment is one where students feel safe to express themselves. The focus on "becoming good people" is central to the school's mission, and personal development is woven into the daily routine. There is a strong emphasis on character building, with resilience and mutual respect being promoted through both the formal curriculum and informal interactions.
The extracurricular programme is extensive and carefully designed to be accessible to all students. Music and the performing arts are major pillars; in late 2025, students performed with confidence and creativity at the Curve Theatre festival after only eight rehearsals.
STEM and environmental awareness are particularly prominent. The college recently hosted an Eco Roadshow for local schools, featuring workshops on plastic waste and sustainable transport. The student-led Eco Club is highly active, managing an orchard and school pond while installing bug hotels and bird boxes to support biodiversity on the campus.
Other notable clubs and facilities include:
The school day begins with registration at 8:30am and concludes at 3:00pm. For 2025, the college trialled a dedicated bus route to assess interest in further transport options for students. Wraparound care details are not extensively published; families requiring specific before or after-school care are advised to contact the college directly to discuss local arrangements and on-site clubs.
Sir Jonathan North Girls' College is a state-funded academy, meaning there are no tuition fees for students. As a state school, it is open to all students regardless of financial background. Costs for parents are typically limited to school uniforms, optional trips, and certain extracurricular materials. Financial support, such as help with uniform costs or transport, may be available for families eligible for Pupil Premium funding.
Sir Jonathan North Girls' College is a high-performing institution that manages to feel both academically rigorous and deeply supportive. It is an ideal fit for ambitious students who want to excel in an environment where female leadership and scientific curiosity are standard. Best suited to local families within the catchment who seek an Outstanding state education with a strong multi-faith ethos. The main hurdle is the high competition for places.
Yes, the college is officially rated Outstanding by Ofsted as of January 2025. It ranks in the top 25% of schools in England for GCSE outcomes and is highly regarded for its inclusive multi-faith culture and strong student progress.
There are no tuition fees as this is a state-funded academy. Parents are responsible for costs like uniforms and trips, though financial assistance is often available for eligible families.
Yes, Sir Jonathan North is an all-girls school for students aged 11 to 16. It is the only multi-faith girls' state school in Leicester.
No, it is a secondary school for years 7 to 11. Most students transition to local sixth-form colleges, such as Beauchamp City Sixth Form, which is also part of the Lionheart Educational Trust.
The school uses a catchment area as part of its admissions criteria, but because it is oversubscribed, distance from the school is a major factor. For 2026 entry, the council will coordinate the application process based on proximity and sibling links.
Get in touch with the school directly
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