Sydenham High School GDST

Sydenham High School is part of the Girls’ Day School Trust, the leading group of independent girls’ schools in the UK. Providing a first-class education for girls was the aim of our founders in 1887 and, though the outlook and opportunities for girls may have changed, our educational goals remain the same.

Sydenham High School is a high achieving school on a smaller scale; what makes us distinctly different is the value we place on the individual and our motto, Fear Nothing, underpins all that we do. Our pupils have independence of mind, the courage to take risks, a strong moral compass as well as a social conscience, and are accepting and respectful of themselves and others. Our pupils have been described as having ‘self-confidence without arrogance’ which is a perfect description of a Sydenham High girl.

Our school has been described as warm and welcoming but it is not an environment that cossets pupils or wraps them up to protect them from the realities of the outside world. It is a place where resilience and independence are fostered, encouraged and developed over the years, allowing every girl to develop academic enthusiasm, an enquiring and discriminating mind and the ability to stand up for what is right. Our pupils make us incredibly proud every day. They are kind, considerate, courageous, articulate and happy. Our pupils leave with a real sense of purpose, confident and assured, and equipped to cope with life beyond school. As parents readily point out, our pupils are not ‘spoon fed’ but are curious, ambitious and have the ability to bounce back.