At the Girls’ Learning Trust, our purpose is to transform lives through girls’ education. We believe in the limitless potential of every student and are committed to providing an education that enables girls and young women to achieve their ambitions, develop confidence in their abilities and prepare for their futures.

Our schools provide academically ambitious, inclusive and supportive learning environments in which girls are encouraged to explore their interests, challenge expectations, develop their own voices and take advantage of the opportunities available to them.

Our commitment to girls’ education extends beyond academic achievement. We want every student to leave school with the knowledge, skills, character and confidence to make informed choices, contribute positively to society and pursue the future that is right for her.

We recognise that every girl is different, with her own strengths, experiences, needs and aspirations. Our approach is rooted in the belief that an exceptional education should recognise and nurture this individuality, while creating an environment where every student feels valued, supported and empowered to succeed.

Challenging stereotypes and expanding opportunities

Despite significant progress towards gender equality, girls and young women continue to encounter stereotypes and expectations that can influence their confidence, subject choices and future aspirations. 

Research by UNESCO on girls' and women's participation in STEM  highlights how social and cultural expectations can affect girls' participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Similarly, the OECD's PISA 2022 research  identifies differences in confidence and mathematics anxiety between girls and boys, including among high-performing students. These findings reinforce the importance of creating educational environments in which girls are encouraged to explore their interests without feeling restricted by assumptions about what they should study, achieve or become.

Across the GLT, we aim to challenge stereotypes, celebrate diverse achievements and ensure that students encounter positive role models across a wide range of subjects, professions and leadership positions. Whether a student aspires to become an engineer, scientist, artist, entrepreneur, teacher or leader in her chosen field, our role is to ensure that she has the knowledge, confidence and opportunities to pursue her ambitions.

We want our students to make choices based on their individual interests and abilities, rather than limiting their aspirations because of their gender.

Developing confidence and finding their voice

Confidence is an important part of a young person's development. We want every student to feel comfortable expressing her views, asking questions, taking intellectual risks and contributing to the life of her school.

Research brought together by the International Coalition of Girls' Schools explores how girls' school environments can support students' academic confidence, aspirations and leadership development. It highlights the importance of creating opportunities for girls to develop their abilities and prepare for their futures.

Within the GLT, we aim to create environments where girls are encouraged to participate fully in classroom discussions, explore unfamiliar ideas and develop confidence in their own judgement. We recognise that confidence develops differently for every student. Our approach is therefore not simply about encouraging students to speak more frequently or take on visible leadership roles. It is about helping each student recognise her strengths, develop independence and feel secure in expressing her own perspectives.

We want students to leave our schools knowing that their ideas matter, that their contributions are valued and that they have the confidence to make their voices heard.

Inspiring the next generation of leaders

We believe that leadership should be an opportunity available to every student, regardless of her background, personality or future ambitions. Our girls' school environments provide opportunities for students to see girls and young women taking on a wide range of leadership responsibilities, from student councils and subject activities to sport, creative projects and wider school initiatives.

Through these experiences, students can develop the confidence to take initiative, work collaboratively, make decisions and accept responsibility for themselves and others.

Across the GLT, we promote student leadership that is rooted in integrity, empathy and a strong sense of social responsibility. Our Trust-wide Student Leadership Conference and other collaborative activities provide opportunities for students from different schools to share perspectives, develop relationships and contribute to the wider Trust community.

We want every student to recognise that leadership can take many forms and that she has the potential to make a positive difference within her school, her community and wider society.

Supporting wellbeing and the whole student

An exceptional education must support the whole student, recognising that academic achievement is only one part of a successful and fulfilling school experience. Adolescence is a period of significant personal, social and emotional development. We recognise the importance of providing a supportive environment in which girls can develop a positive sense of identity, build healthy relationships and navigate the challenges they may encounter.

Our schools place student wellbeing, character development and personal growth alongside academic learning, with pastoral care and individual support forming an important part of their educational provision. We aim to create school communities where students feel safe, respected and valued, and where they have the confidence to seek support when they need it.

We also recognise the importance of developing resilience, independence and the ability to respond positively to challenges and setbacks.

Our ambition is for every student to leave school not only with strong qualifications, but also with the self-awareness, confidence and personal qualities needed to lead a happy, healthy and fulfilling life.

An inclusive education for every girl

Our commitment to girls' education is inseparable from our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. We recognise that girls are not a single, uniform group. Their experiences, backgrounds, strengths, needs and aspirations are different, and these differences must be understood and respected.

We are committed to ensuring that all students have access to an ambitious education and meaningful opportunities to participate fully in school life, regardless of their background or individual circumstances.

Across the GLT, this includes supporting students with special educational needs and disabilities, addressing the barriers associated with economic disadvantage, celebrating diversity and promoting a strong sense of belonging.

We also recognise the importance of widening access to educational opportunities, particularly within selective education, so that academic potential can be recognised and nurtured wherever it is found. Our aim is to create inclusive school communities where every student feels that she belongs, that her achievements are valued and that her future is not limited by her circumstances.

The strength of learning together

The GLT brings together schools with a shared commitment to girls' education, while recognising and respecting their individual identities, traditions and educational approaches.

Our schools benefit from opportunities to collaborate, share expertise and learn from one another. This enables us to develop our understanding of girls' education and identify approaches that support students' academic achievement, wellbeing and personal development. Through professional networks, cross-school reviews, shared educational initiatives and Trust-wide student activities, we seek to combine the strengths of our individual schools with the opportunities created by being part of a wider organisation.

Our approach is informed by research and evidence, including a key exploration of why and how girls thrive in girls-only schools, which emphasises the importance of deliberately designing school environments, curricula and opportunities around the needs and experiences of girls.

We recognise that a girls-only environment does not, by itself, guarantee better educational outcomes. The quality of teaching, school culture, leadership and the opportunities available to students remain central to a successful education. We therefore focus not simply on providing girls' education, but on continually improving the quality of that education and understanding how our schools can best support the students in their care.