Sydenham High School GDST, Sydenham SE26

Sydenham High School GDST

Girls, 4-18

Day

South East London

/Regions

London

South East London

Sydenham High School GDST

Sydenham High School is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18 in South East London. The school was founded in 1887 and prides itself on 'enriching young minds in a way that will endure a lifetime.'

Sydenham High was founded by four pioneering women, who had the vision and determination to claim as good an education for girls as for their brothers. Today it is part of the Girls' Day School Trust but stays true to its founding ethos, encouraging independent thinkers and trailblazers, and opening eyes and hearts by educating the whole person. The school offers a wide range of academic and enrichment opportunities, enabling every girl to forge her own path and achieve her ambitions.

Age

Girls, 4-18

Type

Pre-Prep to Senior

The Head

Antonia Geldeard is the Head of Sydenham High School. She writes: 'We open eyes and hearts by educating the whole person: to balance mind, body and soul. Our diversity of academic and enrichment opportunities enables every girl to forge her own path, strive to be her best and excel. While no path is the same, each girl’s journey leads to valuable development and meaningful self-discovery. A proud member of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) family of schools, we develop character beyond the curriculum.'‍

Read more about the Head's vision for the school centred around academic expertise, personal development and being future ready on the Sydenham High website.

Antonia Geldeard is Head of Sydenham High School GDST.

Curriculum

Sydenham High prides itself on offering a broad curriculum, allowing girls to experience 15 subjects from Year 7, as well as numerous academic enrichment activities to instil a love of learning. Academic scholarships are on offer at Year 7 for those pupils with exceptional academic talent and ability. In the Lower School (Years 7 to 9), girls are challenged and inspired in their learning through a broad and balanced curriculum. In Years 10 and 11, the Upper School prepares pupils for GCSE whilst encouraging them to be independent and inquisitive learners. At A Level, Sydenham High offers a range of 28 subject choices, in small classes, taught by dedicated subject specialists. In addition, pupils have the option of undertaking an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), which equates to half an A Level, and is an independent research project to develop a range of skills including problem-solving, critical thinking and anlaysis.

A LEVEL A*–B

78%

A LEVEL A* / A

51%

A LEVEL A*s

GCSE 9–7

GCSE 9 / 8

GCSE 9s

26%

2025 results. 92% of A Level candidates secured their first choice university.

Pastoral care

Pastoral care at Sydenham High is embedded throughout the school as part of the ethos, helping the pupils to stay healthy and well, both in body and mind. The first point of contact for pupils is their form tutor, followed by a number of pastoral leads across the school. Pupils are encouraged to express their views and the school ensures a strong pupil voice. As they progress through the school, numerous leadership opportunities enable pupils to gain valuable skills for the future.

Extracurricular

Every subject taught at Sydenham High offers a range of in-school events or off-site trips to enhance the learning experience. New interests and ideas can be explored in Mind, Body & Soul Clubs as well as a wide range of opportunities in the Performing Arts, with music, dance and drama. Sport encourages everyone to join in and benefit from fitness and physical activity. The school offers rowing in conjunction with neighbouring Dulwich College.

Ethos

Sydenham High is 'selective and diverse, welcoming girls with wide-ranging talents and backgrounds into a close community that is large enough to offer choice and flexibility but compact enough to ensure that no girl is overlooked.'

Girls at Sydenham High are ambitious and open minded. They are also well rounded, intellectually curious, down to earth and happy.

Self-belief and happiness, alongside a ‘can do’ approach to every aspect of school life, enable our girls to thrive and succeed, and they leave us equipped with the skills and confidence to thrive in their future.

We believe our pupils deserve the highest standards of classroom practice, as well as exciting, challenging and enriching co-curricular opportunities, in an inspirational environment where they can be themselves and learn to be independent, resilient and confident.

Source: Sydenham High School GDST

Visiting Sydenham High

Open Events provide a wonderful opportunity to visit a school and discover more about the community, values and ethos. Find out more about open mornings at Sydenham High School GDST.

Sep

Whole School Open Morning

Discover the Prep, Senior and Sixth Form at Sydenham High from 9am to 1pm. All open events should be booked via the school website. Discover more about the Whole School Open Morning.

Oct

Prep School Open Morning

Hear from the Head of Prep and take a tour of the school with a pupil guide. The event runs from 9am to 10.30am. Book via the school website. Discover more about the Prep School Open Morning.

Nov

Prep School Open Morning

Hear from the Head of Prep and take a tour of the school with a pupil guide. The event runs from 9am to 10.30am. Book via the school website. Discover more about the Prep School Open Morning.

Fees, Inspections & Governance

Fees

Sydenham High offers a number of scholarships and bursaries at Year 7 and 12 to support access for ambitious girls from south east London who would like to join the school and gain from the myriad opportunities available. Fees in the prep school start from £6,452 per term, rising to £8,205 in the senior school and Sixth Form.

Read about Sydenham High Fees

Inspections

Sydenham High School GDST is inspected by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) on behalf of the Department for Education. Routine inspections take place once every three years.

Governance

The school is a registered charity managed by trustees. Read more about the charity structure and how it is run on the Charity Commission website. The school is part of the registered charity, the Girls' Day School Trust, which runs 25 girls' schools nationally.

Read the inspection report

Sydenham High Admissions

The usual admissions points for Sydenham High are at Reception, Year 3, Year 7 and Year 12 (Sixth Form). Further details about how to apply for a place and all the key admissions dates can be found via the Sydenham High website.

Find answers to frequently asked questions about Sydenham High School GDST.