School: City of London Girls’
Address: City of London School for Girls, St Giles’ Terrace, Barbican, London EC2Y 8BB
Region: London – Inner (London postal codes)
Pupils: 734, Upper sixth 78
Enquiries: The Admissions Officer
Description: Founded in the City in 1894, it is situated in the heart of the Barbican. It is a very well-equipped establishment and a new gym and dance studio has opened recently. Its central location gives it a very wide catchment area: pupils come from all over London and the home counties. It is strong academically and examination results are very good. The music, drama and art departments are especially strong. The majority of the school is involved in music and drama with frequent opportunities for pupils to perform. There is a good range of clubs and societies, often run by sixth-form pupils. Being in the centre of London, there are numerous opportunities for cultural trips to the theatre, art galleries and museums, as well as a wide range of careers lectures from those in business and the professions. Many activities and outings are in association with the boys’ school, only 10 minutes walk away. The Corporation of London provides opportunities for girls to participate in a variety of civic functions.
School Head: Headmistress: Mrs Ena Harrop, in post from 2014. Educated at the universities of Salamanca (classics), Salamanca/Munich (linguistics), Cambridge (MPhil), and King’s College London (education management). Previously Director of Studies at the school, Head of Modern Foreign Languages at the Royal Grammar School, Guildford. Teaching staff: 59 full time, 16 part time, 25 peripatetic.
Results: GCSE: 91 pupils in Year 11, all gaining at least grade C in 9+ subjects (99.6% including English, maths, a science, a humanity and a foreign language). A-levels: 72 in upper sixth, passing an average of 3.2 subjects, with a final point score of 401.
Furtherhigher: All sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (10% after a gap year), 20%-25% to Oxbridge. 20% take courses in science, medicine and engineering, 35% in arts and humanities, 35% in social sciences, 5% in vocational subjects eg law, architecture.
Arts: Music: Up to 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams can be taken. Some 12 musical groups including orchestras, choirs, madrigal and barber shop groups, chamber ensembles, jazz ensembles, wind band. Some in National Youth Orchestra and LSSO. Students regularly sing and play at City Livery Company functions. Drama: A-level theatre studies offered. Many pupils involved in school productions. Girls occasionally take part in productions for RSC, radio and TV. Art and design: Approximately 30% take GCSE, 10% A-level. 3D design, pottery, textiles, sculpture offered. Many students go on to leading art schools or related university courses; some go on to become successful artists and designers.
Sport: Some 15 sports available including netball, gym, swimming, athletics, hockey. Also Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (many take bronze, some silver and gold); community service. Up to 30 clubs, eg sports, design and technology, debating, maths, science, theatre, computer, European Youth Parliament, Young Enterprise.
Alumni: CLOGA, c/o the school.
Formerpupils: Katharine Dyson (D’Oyly Carte); Elizabeth Emanuel (dress designer); Anne Farell (actress); Claire Rayner (author); Claudia Winkleman (TV presenter); Dido (pop singer); Romola Garai (actress); Dinah Rose (human rights lawyer); Sahar Hashemi (founder of Coffee Republic).
