Beyond the iron railings of Clarence Gate in Marylebone, two minutes from the tranquility of Regent's Park, sits a school founded over 145 years ago by Canon Francis Holland, an educational visionary who dreamed of quality schooling for girls. Educated at Eton and Cambridge himself, Holland established what has become one of London's most consistently selective independent schools for girls. The school attracts bright, ambitious candidates from across London and beyond, with results that rank it among the elite performers nationally. In 2024, 66% of GCSE entries achieved grades 9-8, and at A-level, 89% of grades were A*-B, placing the school in the top 2% of secondary schools in England (FindMySchool ranking). The current headmistress, Mrs Katharine Woodcock, arrived in September 2022 from Sydenham High School, bringing renewed focus to the school's "schooling for life" philosophy. With approximately 570 students across Years 7-13, this is a day school only, with no boarding provision. The Church of England foundation remains central to its identity, though the school warmly welcomes girls of all faiths and backgrounds.
Francis Holland occupies a distinctive place in London's independent sector. The campus blends Victorian architecture with thoughtful modern additions, most notably Linhope House, the purpose-built Sixth Form Centre which opened in 2022 and increased dedicated sixth form space by more than 300%. Walking through the school's corridors, you encounter an atmosphere of purposeful academic engagement tempered by genuine warmth. Sixth formers move between lessons with evident confidence, junior students navigate their schedules with supportive peers nearby. The school's core values — compassion, knowledge, perseverance, and spirit — are lived rather than merely displayed.
The pastoral structure reflects this commitment. A house system creates vertical communities where older girls mentor younger ones, fostering genuine belonging. Teaching staff are described consistently as accessible and inspirational, going well beyond curriculum delivery. The school's Christian ethos is respectfully maintained without exclusivity; chapel services happen regularly but the environment prioritises making girls of all backgrounds feel included and valued. The most recent ISI inspection in March 2025 noted the school's creation of a "harmonious and respectful community in which pupils feel that their voices are heard, and their identities are respected." Inspectors highlighted that pupils develop "advanced critical and intellectual approaches to academic work" and that teachers actively encourage them to explore topics beyond the lesson plan, challenging them to refine their arguments and think independently.
At GCSE, Francis Holland's results reflect consistent academic excellence. In 2024, 66% of grades achieved the top grades 9-8, well above the England average of 54%. A further 21% achieved grade 7. This means 87% of entries across the school reached the highest three grades, indicative of the school's rigorous, knowledge-rich curriculum. Attainment 8 scores demonstrate solid progress from primary to secondary entry, though specific value-added figures are not published externally.
The school ranks 70th in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 2% nationally and 3rd among independent schools in Westminster. This consistent top-tier performance reflects both the quality of teaching and the academic calibre of the cohort. Crucially, the school maintains a commitment to non-selective sixth form entry: girls who do not achieve traditional GCSE benchmarks are not barred from Year 12, reflecting a belief in supporting individual girls' trajectories rather than chasing cohort statistics.
The sixth form is where Francis Holland's academic strength becomes most visible. In 2024, 25% of grades achieved A*, and a further 28% achieved A, meaning 53% of all entries were A* or A. Looking at broader top grades, 89% of A-level entries reached A*-B, a markedly strong performance. The school ranks 121st in England for A-level outcomes (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the top 10% nationally. This performance, combined with excellent teaching and strong pastoral support in the dedicated Linhope House facility, positions the school as a serious academic choice for sixth formers.
Subject breadth is impressive. The school offers over 30 A-level subjects, including Classical Greek, Russian, and History of Art alongside traditional facilitating subjects. This breadth allows girls to pursue genuine intellectual interests rather than defaulting to standard combinations. Specialist facilities support this breadth: dedicated science laboratories, art studios, and a well-resourced library serve as hubs for extended learning beyond examination syllabi.
England ranks and key metrics (where available)
A-Level A*-B
89.26%
% of students achieving grades A*-B
GCSE 9–7
87%
% of students achieving grades 9-7
The academic programme rests on a conviction that intellectual curiosity and exam success are not mutually exclusive. The curriculum is ambitious and knowledge-rich, with substantial emphasis on independent reading and research. Across sciences, girls work with well-equipped laboratories. In languages, specialist native speakers teach Modern European languages (including Spanish, French, and German) alongside Classical languages. History and English departments are known for pushing girls beyond the textbook, with debate, essay competitions, and cross-curricular projects woven throughout the year.
A distinctive programme called "Stretch and Challenge" identifies academically gifted girls and offers extension activities designed to ignite curiosity and encourage independent thought. Participation in national competitions is encouraged: UK Mathematics Challenges, Science Olympiads, creative writing competitions, and cross-curricular research projects provide regular outlets for intellectual ambition beyond the formal curriculum. The school runs specific programmes for the most academically able, ensuring that high-achieving girls are genuinely stretched.
Technology is integrated thoughtfully. The school acknowledges that pupils are not naturally digital natives and takes a deliberately staged approach: younger years receive guidance on when and where technology is appropriate, moving toward greater independence in sixth form. This philosophy reflects a belief that critical thinking, creativity, and independent thought should not be casualties of technological convenience.
Leavers destinations reflect the school's academic standing and breadth of opportunity. In the most recent available data (2023-24 cohort), 52% of sixth form leavers progressed to university, with strong representation at Russell Group and other leading universities. Students regularly secure places at Imperial College, UCL, Edinburgh, Durham, Bristol, and Warwick. Notably, in 2024, students secured places at Oxford and Cambridge, though numbers are small (reflecting the school's relatively modest size).
Beyond the top research universities, strong cohorts progress to specialist colleges for art, music, and design, and to universities across the UK that align with their specific interests. Some leavers choose alternative paths: further education study, gap years, or early entry to employment or apprenticeships. The school's careers provision supports all these pathways. A dedicated Careers Department offers tailored guidance, with a mentoring network connecting sixth formers with alumni working in diverse professions.
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The breadth of opportunity beyond formal lessons is among the school's defining strengths. With well over 90 clubs and societies running before school, at lunchtimes, and after school, participation is high and nearly universal. The school explicitly encourages all students to join at least one activity, viewing co-curricular engagement as essential to the educational experience rather than optional enrichment.
Music flourishes at Francis Holland. The school maintains several choirs ranging from concert groups to smaller chamber ensembles, alongside a full orchestra. Regular performances include chapel services, whole-school concerts, and trips to venues across London. Individual music lessons are available on the premises, taught by specialist musicians, with many girls achieving ABRSM and Trinity qualifications. The school offers a strong tradition in musical theatre, with annual dramatic productions featuring orchestral accompaniment. Recent productions have showcased ambitious repertoire and attracted strong audiences. Specialist facilities include practice rooms equipped with pianos and sound insulation, ensuring girls can develop instrumental skills to a high level.
Drama is equally central. The school produces a major theatrical production each year (often at Christmas), alongside smaller departmental productions and student-led performances. These are not modest endeavours; they involve substantial casts, orchestral accompaniment, and technical sophistication that rivals professional school productions seen in London. The commitment to getting girls on stage is genuine: parts are available across ability levels, from leads to technical and backstage roles. Beyond formal productions, a student-led drama society allows girls to initiate their own projects. A specialised theatre space, recently enhanced as part of campus developments, provides professional-standard facilities. Dance features prominently, with regular dance performances and collaboration with external choreographers.
The school has its own 25-metre swimming pool on site, used for both PE lessons and competitive swimming training. Girls compete regularly in regional and national swimming events. Beyond the pool, sports offerings span netball, hockey, tennis, cricket, rounders, athletics, and rowing (with access to Putney stretches of the Thames during winter months). The school uses Regent's Park extensively for training and fixtures, a remarkable geographic advantage for an urban independent school. Regular sports fixtures against other independent schools, with strong coaching in many sports. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme runs to Gold level, with students completing expeditions in the Chilterns and beyond.
A thriving STEM culture reflects the school's commitment to technical literacy. The UK Mathematics Challenges programme attracts strong participation, and girls regularly progress to regional and national rounds. Science clubs run throughout the year, covering astronomy, coding, robotics, and mathematical problem-solving. The Women in Tech initiative, led by sixth formers, aims to bridge the gender gap in STEM careers. Recent speakers have included women founders and leaders in technology. The school actively promotes the notion that STEM pathways are for girls with genuine intellectual interest, not just those pursuing engineering degrees.
A student-led Hale Lecture Series cultivates public speaking, research, and critical thinking. Recent speakers have ranged from notable female leaders to emerging entrepreneurs. Students also lead the RIBA Architects Ambassadors Programme, collaborating with girls from other schools to design and present projects with professional architects' support. The Leadership programme develops oracy skills through debating competitions, assemblies, and structured opportunities to practise public speaking. Younger students benefit from Curious Club and TIPS Week (Thinking Innovatively and Problem Solving) which encourage collaborative, creative thinking.
Additional enrichment spans creative writing workshops, cross-curricular projects, and academic competitions. The school produces its own publications and hosts an annual student magazine. Photography, pottery, and visual arts clubs offer practical creative outlets. A Makery club combines design thinking with hands-on making. Debating clubs prepare girls for competitive debating, and strategy board games clubs develop critical thinking. An Animal Club connects students interested in animal welfare and biology.
Educational visits and trips are treated as integral to learning, not add-ons. The PGL Induction Trip in Year 7 provides team-building and outdoor adventure early in secondary school life. International trips escalate through the years: language trips to European cities for Year 10 linguists, sports tours, and subject-specific expeditions. A notable highlight is the annual NASA trip for sixth formers interested in physics and engineering, and a Geography/Biology expedition to Costa Rica exploring rainforests, volcanic landscapes, and biodiversity. Skiing trips operate during winter holidays. The school's philosophy is that these experiences should be ambitious and genuinely educational rather than recreational.
Termly fees for Year 7-13 students are £10,278 (from September 2025). This represents an annual cost of approximately £30,834, positioning Francis Holland within the mid-tier of London independent schools. Fees are inclusive of lunches, textbooks, and personal accident insurance. A deposit of £3,150 is required on acceptance of a place, with £3,000 refunded at the end of a student's time at the school and £150 reserved for the Quondam (Old Girls' Life) subscription.
Financial assistance is available and actively promoted. The school offers full, means-tested bursaries at entry (11+ and 16+), with awards potentially covering up to 100% of fees for families unable to afford them. The Trust has committed to doubling bursary provision by 2032, aiming to support approximately 50 girls annually across its senior schools. Scholarships are also available, recognising excellence in particular disciplines (academic, music, sport, or art), though these are primarily recognition awards rather than substantial financial discounts.
The Trust is a member of the London Fee Assistance Consortium, which supports families seeking school fee assistance across member institutions.
Fees data coming soon.
Entry at 11+ is highly selective. The school receives over 1,500 applications annually for approximately 150 places, creating an acceptance rate below 10%. The London 11+ Consortium assessment (used by Francis Holland) comprises online tests covering Mathematics, English, Non-Verbal Reasoning, and Verbal Reasoning, plus exercises testing problem-solving and analytical skills. Notably, there are no traditional written papers; the online assessment is designed to assess overall academic potential and critical thinking.
Entrance is not purely academic. The school's admissions process includes a holistic review of each girl's profile: her academic potential, her fit with the school's values, and her likelihood to contribute positively to the community. Interviews form part of the assessment, allowing the school to gauge girls' curiosity, character, and readiness for the school's demanding environment.
Entry at 16+ (sixth form) is also selective but slightly more generous. Girls do not need to achieve specific GCSE grades to enter sixth form; the school prioritises identifying girls with genuine intellectual engagement and potential for sixth form work. A small number of places open to external candidates, though the majority enter from the lower school.
Open mornings run in spring (March and April), allowing prospective families to experience the school during normal academic time. Registration for 11+ entry typically opens in the preceding autumn.
Pastoral provision is a genuine strength. Beyond formal form tutors, girls benefit from a dedicated wellbeing team including a trained counsellor who visits regularly. Mental health is taken seriously, with proactive support for girls experiencing emotional difficulty. The school explicitly acknowledges the pressures facing today's young people and works to balance academic ambition with genuine wellbeing.
The house system creates vertical communities where older girls support younger ones, reducing the sense of isolation that some new entrants experience. Sixth formers benefit from greater independence within the purposeful environment of Linhope House, with dedicated common rooms and study spaces. Younger years have more structured pastoral support, with regular check-ins and clear pathways to support if concerns arise.
The school prioritises courtesy and altruistic behaviour. Community service and charitable work are embedded in school life. Girls participate in regular fundraising for chosen charities, including sponsored walks and bake sales. Sixth formers volunteer in local primary schools, elderly care facilities, and youth organisations. The school maintains longstanding partnerships with specific local charities and responds to local and global crises through coordinated fundraising.
Behaviour is calm and respectful. The school operates a mobile phone policy: younger girls (Years 7-8) use Yondr pouches to lock phones during the school day; older years have progressively more autonomy, with sixth formers permitted to use devices in designated common areas. This graduated approach reflects the school's philosophy that digital responsibility must be taught, not simply imposed.
The school day runs from 8:50am to 3:20pm for main school students, with sixth formers enjoying a slightly more flexible schedule reflecting their semi-independent status. A range of clubs and societies run before school, at lunchtimes, and after school in two sessions, allowing girls to pursue multiple interests without needing extended wrap-around care. Hot meals are prepared on site daily.
Transport links are excellent for an independent school. The location in Marylebone means proximity to Baker Street, Great Portland Street, and Regent's Park underground stations. Many girls commute independently from across London by tube, bus, or train. Cycling is common, with secure bike storage provided. The school itself does not operate a coach service.
Selective entry is genuinely competitive. With fewer than 10% of applicants gaining places, acceptance is uncertain even for academically strong girls. Families should approach the application process with realistic expectations and have alternative schools identified.
The school is non-selective at sixth form entry, but academically demanding once inside. While girls who underperform at GCSE are not barred from sixth form, the pace and intensity of sixth form study assumes strong foundational knowledge. This is not a school for girls seeking a gentle post-16 experience; it is a school for girls who thrive on intellectual challenge.
Central London location has trade-offs. While the proximity to Regent's Park and cultural institutions enriches the experience, the urban setting means no extensive sports fields on site. The school depends on hired facilities and nearby parks, which occasionally creates scheduling complexity.
Single-sex education is not for everyone. Some families prefer mixed schools, either because they believe coeducation better reflects the world or because their daughters prefer studying alongside boys. Francis Holland is single-sex throughout secondary and sixth form. The school itself sees this as an advantage for girls' confidence and academic engagement, but families should consider whether this matches their values.
Francis Holland School, Regent's Park is a genuinely excellent independent school delivering first-rate academic education within a warm, inclusive community. The combination of top-tier GCSE and A-level results, thoughtful pastoral care, breadth of extracurricular opportunity, and strong university destinations makes it a compelling option for academically ambitious girls. The school's location in central London, its Christian ethos, and its commitment to financial accessibility widen appeal beyond the traditional independent school demographic.
The school is best suited to girls who are intellectually curious, enjoy competitive academic engagement, and want to be part of a school community where their voices are heard and their individual strengths celebrated. It appeals to families who value tradition and heritage alongside modern educational thinking, and to those who can navigate the selective entry process with realistic expectations. For families seeking a girls' independent school combining genuine academic excellence with broader life preparation, Francis Holland is a strong contender.
Yes. The school ranks in the top 2% of secondary schools in England for GCSE outcomes (FindMySchool ranking) and in the top 10% for A-level. The most recent ISI inspection in March 2025 confirmed the school meets expected standards across all key areas. Results are consistently strong, pastoral provision is excellent, and leavers progress to top universities including Oxford, Cambridge, and Russell Group institutions. Students describe the experience as academically rigorous but supported by genuine pastoral care.
Termly fees for Years 7-13 are £10,278 from September 2025, equating to approximately £30,834 annually. This includes lunches, textbooks, and personal accident insurance. A deposit of £3,150 is required on acceptance. The school offers means-tested bursaries covering up to 100% of fees, with the Trust committed to increasing bursary support. Families seeking fee assistance are encouraged to discuss this at application stage.
Entry at 11+ is highly competitive. The school receives over 1,500 applications for approximately 150 places (below 10% acceptance). Candidates are assessed via the London 11+ Consortium online testing (Mathematics, English, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning, plus problem-solving exercises), plus a school interview. Entry at 16+ is selective but slightly less competitive, with the school welcoming external candidates who demonstrate intellectual engagement and sixth form readiness. Girls who underperform at GCSE are not automatically barred from sixth form.
Francis Holland is a Church of England school, and Christian values permeate school life. The school welcomes girls of all faiths and backgrounds and does not impose faith requirements for entry. Chapel services are regular and meaningful but not compulsory in the strict sense. The school explicitly aims to provide girls with exposure to Christian teaching and values whilst respecting their individual beliefs. Families uncomfortable with a faith school environment should discuss this with admissions.
Academic outcomes (top 2% in England for GCSE, top 10% for A-level), pastoral care, breadth of extracurricular provision (90+ clubs), music and drama excellence, STEM engagement, strong leadership development, and university destinations. The school balances rigorous academics with genuine support for wellbeing and character development. Students report feeling known and valued as individuals.
No. Francis Holland is a day school only. There is no boarding provision. All students live at home or in local accommodation and commute daily.
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