The Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls Review 2026: A Comprehensive Secondary Education with Notable Ambition

The school itself was formed in 1974 from the merger of Ealing County Grammar School, St Ann's Secondary Modern, Wood End, and The Grange schools, consolidating a century of educational heritage in west London. Today it operates as Ealing's only all-girls comprehensive, serving approximately 1,290 pupils aged 11-18 across two campuses. The school achieved a reputation that was tested significantly when, in 2023, reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was identified in its buildings; remarkably, the school's academic standards and pastoral support have only intensified during the remedial building work. An ungraded Ofsted inspection in January 2025 found evidence of significant improvement across all areas since the previous Outstanding judgment in 2019. Girls here develop intellectual curiosity and ambition in equal measure, supported by a leadership team that balances high expectations with genuine care.

Pupils excel due to an ambitious curriculum and the school's inclusive ethos, where high expectations apply to all students, including those with special educational needs and disabilities. The school's central mission is to empower girls to create their future, and this sits at the heart of everything it does. Across the widely dispersed campuses (accommodating RAAC removal), the atmosphere remains purposeful and calm. Behaviour is exemplary; girls conduct themselves with maturity and respect. Pupils are safe and happy here, and they know their voices matter. Sixth-form students take a particularly active role, mentoring younger girls and leading assemblies on issues affecting young women, from equality to personal development.

The leadership under Headteacher Rachel Kruger (in post since 2014) has earned particular praise for maintaining educational quality through unprecedented building challenges. Staff report pride in the school, and governors have demonstrated exceptional commitment in navigating the logistical complexity of RAAC remediation without compromising educational delivery. The school's approach to inclusivity extends to its innovative provision for pupils with disabilities; for example, visually impaired pupils receive braille and embossed images in art lessons, ensuring they are full participants in the curriculum rather than observers.

GCSE Performance

The school ranks 906th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 25% of schools (the top 25% of schools in England). An average Attainment 8 score of 58.1 exceeds the England average of 45.9, reflecting consistent progress across the cohort.

The June 2024 inspection noted that 51% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and mathematics, demonstrating solid performance in these foundation subjects. Progress 8 scores of +0.97 indicate that pupils make above-average progress from their starting points, accounting for their prior attainment. This positive Progress 8 figure signals that the school adds meaningful value to pupils' learning trajectories.

A-Level Performance

The sixth form has undergone substantial improvement. A-level performance shows 58% of students achieving A*-B grades. Within the grading spectrum, 6% achieved A*, 17% achieved A, and 35% achieved B. These results place the school's A-level cohort in the top 33% of schools (FindMySchool ranking 869th in England), representing genuine strength at post-16 level.

The January 2025 Ofsted inspection specifically commended the sixth form, noting that its educational quality now matches the rest of the school. Teachers provide sophisticated, subject-specific learning; for example, Year 13 chemistry students explored the compounds of acids in relation to Rasputin's attempted poisoning, contextualising chemistry against 1900s Russian history and debates between science and superstition. English students independently researched power and patriarchy in the gothic genre, holding sophisticated discussions in their seminars.

Teachers have strong subject knowledge and use it to design exceptional learning experiences. Knowledge is logically sequenced, so pupils return to, embed, and build on key concepts across years. Pupils are given ample time to apply and practise their skills. For instance, in mathematics, students apply their learning of quadratic equations with increasing confidence. Reading is a clear school priority, with ambitious texts deployed throughout the curriculum. Pupils who did not meet expected standards in English and mathematics at primary school receive carefully designed support, which quickly builds their numerical understanding and literacy skills.

The school carries the designation of Science and Mathematics Specialist College (since 2002), a status that reflects the strength of these disciplines. The science department operates twelve purpose-built laboratories equipped with modern interactive whiteboards and provides significant enrichment. Trips include visits to the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, the Royal Society summer exhibition, and the Royal Academy of Engineering's Head Start programme, alongside opportunities to visit universities including Imperial and UCL. Separate sciences are strong, with specialist teachers and extensive extra-curricular opportunities.

The computer science offer includes work with BBC Micro:bit technology in Key Stage 3 and coding challenges in Year 8, alongside Python learning and web development (HTML/CSS).

University Destinations

In the 2023-24 leavers cohort, 68% of students progressed to university, with 2% entering further education, 3% beginning apprenticeships, and 7% entering employment directly. The school provides comprehensive careers support, including a dedicated careers adviser, careers fairs, workshops, and talks on diverse future pathways. Disadvantaged students receive high levels of mentoring and guidance.

Oxbridge is represented: in recent years, students have secured places at Cambridge and Oxford, demonstrating that the school's ambitious curriculum and rigorous teaching prepare girls for the most selective universities. The school ranks 1166th in England for Oxbridge acceptance, with 1 place secured out of 6 applications in the most recent measured cohort.

The sixth form itself benefits from outstanding careers preparation. Students access initiatives including a Law Club, Young Medics Society, and Sports Leaders programme. They also run their own magazine, providing a platform for student voice and creative expression.

This is where the school's distinctive personality truly emerges. Enrichment is not an afterthought; it is integral to the school's mission of empowering girls.

Music: A Developing Strength

The music department encourages all Key Stage 3 pupils to learn an instrument, with many continuing to A-level or pursuing music technology. The school hosts regular performances and concerts throughout the year. Sixth-form students and younger pupils perform in school orchestras and ensembles, with specialisms in classical performance and technology. Musical trips and workshops bring external expertise into the school.

Drama and Performing Arts

The school offers specialist places in Drama (5 places at Year 7 entry) and has dedicated drama teachers. Students perform in regular school productions and drama showcases. The performing arts curriculum is enriched by visiting practitioners, workshops, and opportunities to participate in drama at various levels of experience.

STEM and Innovation

Beyond the Science and Mathematics core, the school fosters engineering and coding competency. The Faraday Challenge Day in Engineering draws teams from across the borough. Students engage with robotics through BBC Micro:bit programming. The school's participation in these competitions reflects institutional commitment to broadening STEM participation, particularly for girls.

The EWS Chess Academy is a notable initiative: in 2023, the school hosted the inaugural SPTW Flagship Girls' Chess Tournament, attracting 105 girls from primary through university level, with local MP Dr Rupa Huq presenting prizes.

Sports Provision

The school maintains two indoor sports halls; the more recent features four badminton courts and a full-size basketball court. Outdoor facilities include a gravel area large enough for four five-a-side football pitches, and a large field with a full football pitch (winter), four rounders pitches (summer), and a 200-metre athletics track. Teams compete in gymnastics, trampolining, netball, basketball, football, athletics, rounders, and cross-country. The school secures external funding for specialist coaching in tennis and rowing. Students can access up to 20 different sporting activities before school, at lunchtime, and after school, with both competitive and recreational options.

Student Voice and Enrichment

The School Council provides formal student leadership. Sixth-form students take responsibility for mentoring younger pupils and delivering assemblies on topics including equality and issues affecting young women. Enrichment days across the year cover finance, relationships, well-being, and self-defence, ensuring girls leave school with practical life skills alongside academic knowledge. The school invests significant time in discussing mental health and equipping pupils with coping strategies.

Specialist Admissions Pathways

The school operates specialist places (21 per year group) for girls demonstrating aptitude in Music (4 places), Drama (5), Modern Foreign Languages (4), Visual Arts (4), and Sports (4). This structure creates small communities of passionate practitioners within the broader comprehensive intake, fostering peer support and institutional pride.

The school is consistently oversubscribed. In recent years, over 500 pupils have applied for approximately 216 places. Admissions use the local-authority process, prioritising looked‑after children, then siblings and children of staff. After these categories, distance from the school becomes the deciding factor, creating competition for places among local families. Specialist places require assessment during the application period (October for visual arts, for instance).

For sixth form entry, pupils must meet minimum GCSE grades depending on subject choice, with the head teacher's discretion applied to students achieving in the top third of the grade 6 boundary for certain subjects (such as Further Mathematics).

The school's popularity reflects its reputation, though entry is ultimately determined by admissions criteria rather than selective academic testing.

Safeguarding arrangements are effective, with an open and positive culture that prioritises pupils' interests. The school employs a dedicated child protection officer and maintains robust single central record procedures. Leaders respond promptly to pupils' needs and concerns.

Pupils with special educational needs and disabilities are identified quickly and included in ambitious classroom learning. Where additional support is required, it is provided effectively. The school's SEND provision is led strongly, with dedicated staff and consistent approaches across the school. Pupils with SEND, including those with visual and physical disabilities, achieve very well, particularly in the sixth form.

The school provides a homework club after school each day, staffed by higher-level teaching assistants, where pupils can complete work in a relaxed, supported environment with teacher access. Support is also available through the Learning Support Area, which operates a daily lunchtime drop-in for all pupils. Additional programmes include a SEN Book Club (reading fluency), Tapestry Club, and Knitting Club, all designed to foster relaxation and social connection. Touch-typing software is available for targeted pupils on a 12-week course.

The school has engaged a speech and language therapy provider, with a therapist visiting 15 days per year to deliver staff training and group and one-to-one sessions with selected students.

School day runs from 8:50am to 3:20pm. The school is located in Acton, west London, near North Ealing tube station and West Acton tube station, making it accessible via transport links. Students should check the school website for uniform requirements, assessment dates, and any associated costs (uniform, trips, music lessons if pursued).

The school is a foundation school, maintained by Ealing Local Authority, and operates without tuition fees (this is a state school). Any associated costs (uniform, educational visits, optional music lessons) should be confirmed directly with the school.

RAAC disruption: The school has managed the identification and remediation of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in its buildings with remarkable care and commitment. However, building work since August 2023 has inevitably altered the physical layout and campus experience. The January 2025 Ofsted inspection found that this had not hindered academic quality or pupil wellbeing, but families should be aware that the school is currently operating across dispersed sites. It is worth confirming current site arrangements with the school before application.

Oversubscription: With consistently well over 500 applicants competing for 216 places, entry is highly competitive. Distance from the school is the primary deciding factor after statutory priority categories. Families living at distance may not secure a place despite the school's quality.

Building capacity: The school was originally sized for approximately 1,400 pupils but now operates at around 1,290 following RAAC-related restrictions. This may result in some pressure on facilities and spaces in the medium term, though the school is managing this thoughtfully.

The Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls combines exceptional teaching, genuine care for every pupil, and an ambitious curriculum with a track record of resilience. Its handling of the RAAC challenge demonstrates leadership of the highest quality. Academic outcomes are strong across GCSE and A-level, and the school's work in preparing disadvantaged pupils for success is notably effective. The school's specialist areas (science, mathematics, music, drama, visual arts, sports, modern languages) create multiple entry points for girls with different talents. Its all-girls environment and focus on empowering young women as leaders add distinctive character.

This school is best suited to families seeking a comprehensive, inclusive secondary education with genuine academic ambition and strong pastoral support. The main challenge is entry; once a place is secured, the educational experience is exceptional.