City of London School for Girls

• Location: London, England,
• Founded in: 1894,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of studying: girls only.

City of London School for Girls (CLSG) is an independent day school for girls located in central London. Programs of grades 7-13 designed for students from 11 to 18 years old are taught here.

In 1881, William Ward left a generous will with the intention of giving the best education to young women, thanks to which the City of London School for Girls opened its doors in 1894. 130 years later, a lot has changed – the educational institution observes innovations in the field of education, always embedding modern discoveries into the academic process. This approach gives students the opportunity to gain competitive knowledge that can be applied in the future: at the stage of studying at the university, when building a career. Theoretical classes in each grade give not only a basic understanding of the subject, but also connect disciplines with each other - the interdisciplinary system of education provides students with the opportunity to learn about the world, to discover new abilities in themselves.

The City of London School for Girls, offering programs for girls only, is a partner of the City of London School for Boys, as well as the City of London Freemen's School, a co-educational institution. All three schools are sponsored by the City of London Foundation, thanks to which they provide excellent conditions for the study and extracurricular development of their pupils.

City of London School for Girls has national recognition among rating agencies, is regularly audited and rated as one of the best in the city. The latest assessment by the ISI Independent School Inspectorate is: "Pupils are inspired to explore their pioneering space as they are given the freedom to explore, discover and create activities on their own in almost all lessons, and they are pushed to do so by supportive but very challenging learning." The report reaffirms City of London School for Girls' commitment to modern approaches to education, applied skills and competitive knowledge for the further academic path of students.

Learning goes beyond the main curriculum thanks to regular speakers invited to expand the horizons of students, exchange knowledge and experience:

• An annual lecture series in memory of Gladys Colton, mayor of the city from 1949 to 1972: Students in grades 9-13 enjoy performances by distinguished speakers such as former BBC China editor Carrie Grace, former Royal Ballet dancer Baroness Bull,
• The newest lecture series takes advantage of the Zoom era to provide students, parents, staff, and alumni with the opportunity to network with specialists from a variety of fields,
• An annual lecture series honoring William Ward, the businessman and philanthropist responsible for founding the school in 1894. Past speakers included Ziauddin Yousafzai, sociology professor Louise Archer, cardiologist Amanda Varnava.

The Pioneer Program is a key skills development program that offers students the opportunity to improve these skills in extracurricular activities using the Unifrog online platform to track their results. Through activity in student life, girls will be able to acquire/improve such personal qualities and skills as:

• Leadership, independence,
• Teamwork
• Communication skills, presentations,
• Enterprise
• Problem solving, sustainability, technology, innovation, creativity,
• Global awareness, emotional intelligence.

Each student can count on the comprehensive support of the teaching staff, administrative departments: CLSG employees offer coaching services, academic counseling, learning support, psychological assistance on any school day.

The school is divided into three main educational sections:

• Junior: grades 7-8,
• Senior: grades 9-11,
• Sixth Form: Grades 12-13.

All language courses studied at CLSG involve participation in international travel and exchange programs, with high school students being encouraged to complete work experience or volunteer work in countries where the target language is spoken. In addition to language exchanges in France, Spain, Germany and China, the school has also expanded the curriculum to include Australia, Argentina, Canada and New Zealand.

The school does not have residencies, providing programs only in a full-time format.

There is a dining room on campus, where a qualified team of chefs prepares meals daily according to a balanced, healthy menu. During the day, female students can use the cafeteria, which offers drinks and healthy snacks.

CLSG students have ample opportunities to develop skills in areas of interest to them: sports, creative, social. Thanks to the diverse infrastructure of the campus, students can take advantage of specialized studios and equipment to continue exploring their talents or try a new hobby.

Music concerts, theatrical performances, art exhibitions, and sports competitions are regularly organized on the training grounds. Creative teams invariably participate in the festive events:

• Orchestra: senior and junior,
• String ensemble,
• Choir: senior and junior,
• Chamber Choir,
• Swing Band,
• Jazz group,
• Wind Instruments Ensemble,
• Chamber music groups.

Music teachers conduct classes not only in groups, but also provide individual lessons. Each is guaranteed personal attention so that the girl achieves her goals, because scholarships are awarded for musical achievements.

Theater groups independently organize performances on the stage of the school and outside it. Thanks to the collaboration with local institutions, not only CLSG female students participate in the activities, but also CLSB male students. The main occasions for co-productions are Christmas, Easter and graduation – past theatrical events have included musical classics such as Grease, Kiss Me Kate and Little Shop of Horrors.

One of the main goals of the academic and extracurricular programs is to instill a love of sports in all students. The campus offers a wide range of sports sections that are suitable for students of all ability levels:

• Running
• Netball
• Gymnastics
• Soccer
• Tennis
• Fencing
• Rowing
• Swimming
• Cricket
• Dancing
• Athletics
• Badminton
• Yoga, Pilates,
• Basketball
• Hockey and others.

Students can join one of the teams to take part in interscholastic, city competitions and deserve increased scholarships, individual awards for a personal portfolio.

Another area of extracurricular activities is charity. Students are supported in organizing volunteer actions, raising funds for various charitable causes, including the organization of medical support Mercy Ships, educational charities Niños de Guatemala, Street Child.

To support the individual interests of each pupil, thematic clubs have been created: they contribute to the consolidation of teams that are united by common hobbies and interests:

• Debate
• Robotics
• Climate resilience,
• Cinema Club,
• Chess
• Duke of Edinburgh Award,
• Model United Nations,
• Cookery
• Exchange of letters with students of foreign schools.

Learning about history, culture and sights, entertainment and recreation are offered to students of all grades through excursions and field trips. Employees interview girls to make a list of places that are interesting for them, which most often includes London exhibition galleries, theaters, cinemas, museums. Excursions offer students to explore the cultures of other countries by going on one of the long trips to Italy, the USA, Normandy, regions of the UK.

• Member of the Conference of School Principals (HMC), Association of Girls' Schools,
• Second on the list of the best independent schools in the UK according to The Sunday Times,
• The only school that has won the international competition of youth literature twice - in 2010 and in 2014,
• Approximately 25% of female students receive scholarships,
• A modernly equipped campus in central London,
• High marks from ISI and other rating agencies for the quality of teaching, a wide range of extracurricular areas of development,
• Collaborating with local schools for common activities, knowledge sharing,
• Partnerships with organizations in various industries to provide more opportunities for charity, gain practical skills, broaden horizons,
• Individual approach of teachers and mentors,
• Graduates enter leading universities in the UK, USA and other countries,
• Exchange programs with institutions in France, Spain, Germany, China.

CLSG is located in the Barbican, a large-scale residential complex in central London. Next to the educational building there are the Center for Performing Arts, the School of Music and Theater.

The academic building is an architectural monument of the II category, having retained its appearance since its opening. Inside, students will find lecture classes, scientific laboratories, computer rooms, a library and other rooms with modern equipment: from interactive whiteboards, computers with full software to 3D printing machines, studio lighting in the workshops. Extracurricular development takes place in specialized studios of performing and fine arts, theatrical premises equipped with the necessary consumables and equipment to achieve creative success. Studios have at their disposal musical instruments, equipment for music production, kits for needlework and much more.

The sports infrastructure includes multifunctional halls and specialized studios for team/individual training, courts and playgrounds for outdoor sports, a full-size swimming pool. The outdoor area allows students to focus on their favorite sports, from running on rubberized tracks to playing football.

The academic year lasts from September to early July and consists of three semesters:

• Autumn: September-December,
• Spring: January-March,
• Summer: April-July.

Between semesters, there are seasonal holidays, during which students rest. Classes are not held on national, international holidays and weekends. The weekday schedule consists of morning, afternoon lessons and after-school activities.

The list of additional costs will include:

• Registration fees,
• Nutrition
• Private music lessons, additional academic support,
• Some extracurricular activities,
• Personal training materials,
• Personal expenses.

The admission process is available to candidates in an online format — many stages can be completed via video communication with admissions staff, but the management still advises visiting the campus and talking to teachers before applying.

The applicant must fill out a detailed questionnaire and provide personal documents, pay the registration fee. Admissions officers will review the application, after which they will invite you for an interview and two entrance tests, where academic and language knowledge will be tested. Based on the results of these stages, candidates who comply with the school's policy will be selected - they will be sent an official invitation to enroll, after which they can start studying.

CLSG is a non-selective school, so the admission of new students is based on the availability of vacant places in classes, standard academic reports from the previous place of study.

Sixth Form graduates achieve excellent results in final exams, thanks to which they enter leading universities in the UK, USA and other countries:

• University of Bath,
• University of Bristol,
• Bocconi University, Italy,
• University of Cambridge,
• Dartmouth University, USA,
• University of Edinburgh,
• King’s College London,
• University of Oxford,
• Queen Mary University,
• Trinity College, Ireland.

• Personal documents including identity card, visa or residence permit, health insurance,
• Academic report cards from the previous place of study,
• Individual achievements, letters of recommendation.

Education is conducted in English, so the future student needs a level of B2 and above; Knowledge of English, as well as knowledge of the main subjects, is tested at the entrance tests.

CLSG Scholarships are offered only to local female students. Awards are based on particularly outstanding abilities in teaching, sports, music, drama or other art forms. Scholarships are available to all female students (11 to 18 years old), cover part of the cost of annual tuition and can be extended if high performance is maintained.

The City of London Foundation provides financial support to a limited number of students on the basis of their disadvantaged financial situation, but a good academic record is necessary to receive assistance.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision