GirlsIndependent

Sydenham & Dulwich Girls GDST

Lewisham, Greater London · SE26 6BL

Part of the Girls' Day School Trust and founded in 1887, this non-denominational independent school in Lewisham educates girls from age four through to eighteen. With around 242 pupils and a strikingly low pupil-to-teacher ratio of 7.5, classes are small and attention is plentiful. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated the school excellent for both education and personal development in its most recent visit, with all compliance standards met. A notable feature is the Yondr phone policy: pupils lock their devices away on arrival and reclaim them before the end of the day, keeping the school day free of screens.

242

Pupils

excellent

ISI

£19,356

Day fees / yr

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Overview & data

Gender: Girls
Type: independent (fee-paying) school
Age range: 4-18
Pupils: 242
Pupil:teacher ratio: 7.5
Location: Lewisham, Greater London
Website: https://www.sydenhamdulwichgirls.gdst.net/
Telephone: 020 8557 7000

Entrance & admissions

Entry age: 11

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Headteacher

Head Gillian Panton

Latest results

Attainment 8

National average 46.9

GCSE grade 5+ (English & Maths)

National average 47%

GCSE grade 9-7

67%

A-level A*-A

51%

A-level A*-B

77%

Teaching & academics

Results sit modestly above the national benchmark, with an Attainment 8 score of 49 against the national average of 46.9, and 67% of GCSE entries graded 9-7. At A-level, just over half of grades are A*-A and 77% reach A*-B, with maths and the sciences among the most popular choices alongside humanities and social sciences. Languages are a clear strength, with French, Spanish, Italian and German all on offer, and the EPQ is available for those wanting to stretch beyond the standard curriculum. Notably, around a quarter of pupils receive SEN support, suggesting a school used to accommodating a range of learning needs.

Sixth form

Sixth-form pupils: 69

Popular A-level subjects

MathematicsChemistryBiologyGeographyEconomicsHistoryDrama and Theatre StudiesPsychologyReligious StudiesSociology

Qualifications offered

GCSEA-levelEPQ

Learning support & SEN

SEN support: 24.05%
EHC plans: 0.14%

Arts & extracurricular

Scholarships

AcademicArt

Languages

FrenchSpanishItalianGerman

Popular GCSE subjects

English LiteratureBiologyChemistryPhysicsGeographyHistorySpanishFrenchItalianGermanReligious StudiesDrama & Theatre StudiesMusicPhysical EducationDesign & TechnologyComputer StudiesLatinArt & Design

Sport

Main sports

NetballHockeySwimmingAthleticsCricketBadmintonRowingFootball

Beyond the classroom

Sport is broad and competitive, spanning netball, hockey, swimming, athletics, cricket, badminton, rowing and football. The breadth of subjects from Latin to drama and music points to plenty of scope beyond the core timetable.

Ethos & heritage

Founded: 1887
Religious character: Non-denom
Boarding: No

Mobile phone policy

Yondr partnership - pupils lock phones in pouches upon arrival, unlocked at designated time before end of day

Money matters

Day fees (per year): £19,356

Inspection reports

ISI rating: excellent
ISI personal development: excellent
Last inspected: 19 March 2024

Read the full inspection report ↗

The last word

A long-established GDST girls' school where small classes and an excellent inspection record meet a refreshingly firm stance on phones. Academic and art scholarships help open the door for families weighing fees of up to £19,356 a year.

The Passmate verdict