Sydenham & Dulwich Girls GDST
School summary
Founded in 1887 and part of the Girls' Day School Trust, this non-denominational independent school in Lewisham educates girls from 4 to 18. With around 242 pupils and a notably generous pupil-to-teacher ratio of 7.5, classes are small and individual attention is plentiful. The Independent Schools Inspectorate awarded its highest rating of 'excellent' for both education quality and personal development, with all compliance standards met. A near-quarter of pupils receive some form of SEN support, suggesting a community accustomed to teaching to a range of needs.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Latest results
GCSE grade 9-7
67%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
51%
National average 28%
A-level A*-B
77%
National average 55%
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 19 March 2024
Teaching & academics
Results sit well above national benchmarks: 67% of GCSE entries reach grades 9-7 against a national average of 23%, while at A-level 51% achieve A*-A (national 28%) and 77% reach A*-B. The curriculum is academically broad, with strong take-up of sciences, mathematics and humanities, and an unusually wide modern languages offering spanning French, Spanish, Italian and German alongside Latin. The EPQ supplements GCSE and A-level provision, giving sixth-formers, of whom there are 69, scope for independent research.
Languages
GCSE subjects
Head · Gillian Panton
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 69
A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Beyond the classroom
Sport is varied and competitive, ranging from netball, hockey and athletics to rowing, cricket and football. Drama, music and art feature prominently across both GCSE and A-level choices, and art scholarships sit alongside academic awards.
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1887
- Religious character
- Non-denom
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 24.05%
- EHC plans
- 0.14%
Mobile phone policy
Yondr partnership - pupils lock phones in pouches upon arrival, unlocked at designated time before end of day
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £19,356
Schools nearby
Dulwich Prep & Senior
Greater London
Fidelis College
London, London
Alleyn's School
London, Greater London
James Allen's Girls' School
London, Greater London
St Christophers The Hall School
Beckenham, Greater London
Streatham & Clapham Preparatory School
London, Greater London
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A small, high-achieving GDST girls' school where exceptional results and close teacher attention go hand in hand. The Yondr phone-pouch policy signals a clear commitment to focused, distraction-free school days.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
Works alongside your child’s tutor - not instead of them.
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Sydenham & Dulwich Girls GDST 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.