Hornsey School for Girls Review 2026: Creative and Community-Focused

Sitting in the creative heart of Crouch End, Hornsey School for Girls serves as the only all-girls comprehensive in Haringey. It offers a distinct alternative to the mixed academies nearby, providing a supportive environment where female leadership is the norm rather than the exception. Under the leadership of Headteacher Ms Kuljit Rahelu, the school has maintained a consistent trajectory, holding a Good rating from Ofsted since 2013.

The school is defined by its diversity and its refusal to be an "exam factory". While academic progress is strong, the ethos places equal weight on personal development, student voice, and a performing arts culture that is genuinely central to school life. For families in N8, it represents a local, inclusive choice where students make above-average progress in a setting that champions their potential.

The campus on Inderwick Road is spacious for an inner-London school, with a mix of buildings that have evolved to meet the curriculum's needs. The atmosphere is purposeful but relaxed; there is a tangible sense of "The Hornsey Way", a code of conduct based on resilience and mutual respect.

Students here are encouraged to be vocal. This is a "talking school" where debate is nurtured and opinions are valued. The student body reflects the rich diversity of the borough, creating a socially cohesive environment where difference is celebrated.

Creativity is the school’s heartbeat. It is impossible to discuss Hornsey without mentioning its performing arts. The steel pan bands are a defining feature, often performing at major London venues and instilling a sense of rhythm and discipline that permeates the wider school culture. This is not a quiet, library-hushed institution; it is vibrant, expressive, and confident.

Hornsey School for Girls delivers strong academic value, particularly in terms of student progress.

In 2024, the school achieved an Attainment 8 score of 49.5, which sits above the England average of 45.9. This indicates that students generally achieve higher grades across their eight key subjects than the national norm.

The school ranks 1517th in England for GCSE performance (FindMySchool ranking). This performance sits in line with the middle 35% of schools in England (25th to 60th percentile), described as "national typical". Locally, it ranks 10th among secondary schools in Haringey.

The standout metric, however, is the Progress 8 score of +0.38. This positive figure demonstrates that students at Hornsey make above-average progress from their primary school starting points. A student attending Hornsey is likely to achieve better grades here than they would at an average school elsewhere in the country.

While progress is strong, the percentage of students achieving Grade 5 or above in the strict English Baccalaureate (EBacc) suite is 19.1%. This reflects a curriculum that allows students to pursue creative and vocational strengths outside the traditional academic core.

The curriculum is broad and balanced, resisting the trend to narrow choices too early. At Key Stage 3, students enjoy a full range of subjects, with notable strength in the arts and humanities. The school manages to keep class sizes reasonable, allowing for personalised attention that supports the positive progress scores.

Teachers are subject specialists who know their students well. The most recent Ofsted inspection noted that leaders have designed an ambitious curriculum and that teachers use assessment effectively to check understanding. Lessons are structured to encourage participation; students are expected to engage, question, and discuss rather than passively receive information.

Support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) is robust. The inclusion team works effectively to ensure students with additional needs access the full curriculum, and the progress of these students is closely monitored to close any gaps with their peers.

Hornsey is an 11-16 school, meaning there is no sixth form on site. Students leave at the end of Year 11, marking a significant transition point.

The school prepares students well for this move through a dedicated "Futures" programme. Leavers progress to a wide variety of destinations. High achievers often secure places at competitive local sixth forms such as Woodhouse College or the selective sixth forms at nearby schools like The Latymer School or Henrietta Barnett (subject to entry requirements).

Others choose vocational or creative pathways at colleges like City and Islington or Haringey Sixth Form College. The school’s strong tracking ensures that the number of students not in education or employment remains exceptionally low.

Admission is coordinated by the London Borough of Haringey. As a community school, Hornsey follows the standard local authority criteria.

The school has a Published Admission Number (PAN) of 162 for Year 7. Demand is healthy; in recent years the school has received around two applications for every place, though it is generally less pressured than some of the borough's faith or co-educational schools.

When oversubscribed, priority is given to:

1. Looked-after children.
2. Children with social or medical needs.
3. Siblings of current students.
4. Children of staff.
5. Distance from the school gate (straight line).

The last distance offered varies annually based on applicant distribution; proximity provides priority but does not guarantee a place. In 2024, the catchment served the immediate Crouch End and Hornsey areas well, but families living further afield should check historical offer distances on the council website.

Pastoral care is a clear strength, built around a Year Group system. A Head of Learning stays with their cohort as they move up the school, providing a consistent point of contact for families for five years.

Non-teaching Pastoral Support Officers are available throughout the day. This ensures that if a student has an issue—whether a lost blazer or a friendship fallout—there is someone available to help immediately without interrupting lessons.

The school takes a proactive approach to wellbeing. Issues such as online safety, healthy relationships, and mental health are tackled openly in the PSHE curriculum. Students report feeling safe, and parents value the "small school feel" where their daughters are known as individuals.

The extracurricular offer sets Hornsey apart. The performing arts provision is exceptional for a state comprehensive.

Music & Drama

The steel pan bands are the jewel in the crown, offering students the chance to perform at a professional level. Drama productions are frequent and ambitious, utilising the school’s performance spaces to full effect. Dance is also strong, with clubs and shows that draw on the diverse cultural heritage of the student body.

Enrichment

The "Deep Learning" days suspend the normal timetable to allow for immersion in specific topics, trips, or workshops. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is popular, with many students completing their Bronze award in Year 10. The debate club is active and successful, competing against other London schools and refining the oracy skills that the school prizes.

The school day runs from 8:40am to 3:10pm. A breakfast club operates before school, providing a nutritious start to the day.

Located on Inderwick Road, the school is best accessed by public transport or walking. The W3 and W7 bus routes stop nearby, connecting the school to Finsbury Park and Muswell Hill.

Uniform is strictly applied: a navy blazer with the school logo, tartan skirt or navy trousers, and a blue shirt.

11-16 Provision. The absence of a sixth form means students must move schools after GCSEs. While this offers a chance for a fresh start, it requires students to navigate a competitive application process during their exam years.

Single-Sex Education. The all-girls environment is a deliberate choice. It fosters confidence and removes certain social pressures, but it is not for everyone. Families should consider if their daughter will thrive in a single-sex setting.

Urban Setting. This is a busy London school. While the site is secure, students navigate the urban environment daily. The school works hard to educate students on street safety and community responsibility.

Hornsey School for Girls is a confident, capable, and caring school that adds genuine value to its students. It resists the pressure to narrow the educational experience, keeping creativity and community at its core. With a Progress 8 score that outstrips many local competitors and a pastoral system that truly knows its students, it is an excellent choice for parents seeking a supportive, ambitious, and diverse environment for their daughters. Best suited to local families who value the arts, inclusivity, and the specific benefits of all-girls education.