Streatham & Clapham High School, Stratham Clapham School

• Location: London, England,
• Founded in: 1887,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Type of studying: for girls.

• Location: London, England,
• Founded: 1887,
• Language of instruction: English,
• Students: girls aged 3 to 18.

Streatham & Clapham High School is a secondary school that helps expand the academic opportunities for girls from 3 to 18 years old. The institution is part of the prestigious Girls' Day School Trust (GDST) and is closely connected with the local community: it maintains partnerships with organizations and participates in various educational events.

Schools Sport Magazine included Streatham & Clapham High School in the top 100 independent sports schools in the UK.

Streatham & Clapham High School is an independent, not-for-profit school. Its Head is Cathy Ellott. Girls’ Day School Trust comprises 24 schools and two academies.

A distinctive feature of extracurricular activities at Streatham & Clapham High School is the Kinza program, which means "hidden treasure" in Arabic. It embodies the desire of the school community for comfortable, relaxed learning. In the classes, which are held every two weeks, schoolgirls study various subjects in depth in a favorable environment, without pressure and haste. Developed by highly qualified teachers, the Kinza program instills a love of learning and developing new skills, allowing students to explore their interests and discover new hobbies.

The PSHCE program at SCHS is also an integral part of the school's comprehensive approach to education: it aims to develop girls' emotional intelligence, social awareness and moral values along with their academic development. The program helps students better understand themselves and the world around them and addresses key areas such as:

• Mental health,
• Relations,
• Citizenship and economic well-being.

Year 7 students have timetabled sport and PE lessons. Sport remains compulsory in Years 10–11.

During the transition to GCSEs, Form Tutors, Heads of Year, Heads of Department, and other academic staff provide one-to-one guidance and group events for girls and their families.

The school's Futures and Aspirations program focuses on students' future careers. Girls in Years 10–11 attend A-Level taster lessons.

• Early Years,
• Prep,
• Senior School,
• Sixth Form.

Students begin the core GCSE syllabus in the sciences, Mathematics, English, and certain other disciplines in Year 9. The school recommends choosing a foreign language and a humanities discipline.

A school graduate who works in journalism and documentary filmmaking became Britain's first dedicated Race Correspondent in 2021. She has worked at The Voice, HuffPost UK, and The Independent, leading coverage on race at HuffPost UK. She was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.

Her debut documentary was released in 2023, entered the UK box office charts, and screened internationally. In 2024, she became the first woman to receive the Menelik Shabazz Legacy Award at the Windrush Caribbean Film Festival.

Streatham & Clapham High School was founded as the Girls' Public Day School Trust and was one of the first schools to join the trust.

The school's motto is “Towards wisdom unafraid.”

Graduates belong to the global GDST alumnae community of 100,000 members. The school organizes reunions and events and offers volunteering opportunities, helping graduates maintain their professional and personal connections. The International Women’s Day reunion in 2025 brought together alumnae from the class of 1955 onward.

Streatham & Clapham High School carefully monitors the nutrition of its students, including making sure that they do not get allergens into their meals. For example, nuts are officially banned in the kitchen, and they cannot be found at public school events, where a buffet or snacks are provided. When applying to SCHS, the schoolgirl's parents must inform the management about their daughter's nutritional characteristics so that the chefs will be able to cook only those dishes for her that will be healthy and safe for her.

Meals are prepared on the school premises. The menu offers vegetarian and halal dishes, soups, salads, and desserts. Students can choose from three portion sizes.

In both Early Years and Prep School, the Student Council meets with the Head Chef each term to discuss lunch and snack options. Girls taste-test potential menu additions and share their feedback. The open kitchen allows them to watch food being prepared and take part in menu selection and food preparation.

Students at Streatham & Clapham High School develop academically, creatively and athletically. As extracurricular activities, girls attend classes in painting, sculpture, photography and digital art. They are supervised by experts who help schoolgirls unlock their potential, present their work without fear and share their achievements with other students.

All girls play sports at a competitive level or simply to keep fit, develop teamwork skills and have fun. Gymnastics is a key element of extracurricular activities, in addition to it, netball, hockey, athletics are in demand.

Students also have a choice of such additional directions as:

• Academic communities,
• Leadership and community service programs,
• Social, volunteer and cultural activities.

Year 7 enrichment activities include circus skills, jewelry making, bouldering, and cycling. The school regularly organizes exhibitions of students' artwork, which is also displayed around the school.

The music program offers instrumental lessons and music theory classes. Students perform in ensembles, orchestras, choirs, and bands at concerts, recitals, and school events. Performances range from jazz concerts to opera and orchestral showcases. The school also produces a student podcast.

• Teaching combines tradition with innovation: young researchers are offered a progressive curriculum that promotes academic success, creativity and personal growth,
• At Streatham & Clapham High School's philosophy is kindness, honesty, compassion and respect. The school encourages each student to take on challenges and instill in herself a lifelong love of learning,
• The educational center offers developmental formats not only in classrooms, but also outside of them. From sports and art to leadership and social activities, every girl can choose a club, section or association of interests,
• All study groups at the school are small, so it is easier for teachers to provide an individual approach. Personalized techniques are a guarantee that every girl receives the support and approval she needs to succeed,
• SCHS is committed to the well-being of its residents, offering them resources to help girls improve their mental health, build resilience and build a balanced lifestyle,
• Diversity and inclusion are key aspects of the school community. Thanks to this, each student feels valued and respected as a person, learns to treat others with understanding too,
• Studying at the school is associated with full immersion in British culture: this effect is achieved through accommodation with host families and field trips to various cities in the United Kingdom and neighboring countries,
• The 2024 ISI Report noted that pupils supported one another when they made mistakes. Teachers encouraged girls to share their thoughts and listen to others.

The infrastructure of Streatham & Clapham High School includes such facilities as:

• Modern classrooms, including an IT classroom with high-tech equipment,
• Scientific laboratories equipped with the latest technology,
• Arts facilities, including a specially equipped theatre and drama studio, spacious and well-lit art studios, rehearsal rooms, a recording studio and concert venues,
• Open spaces for relaxation and study,
• A sports hall, outdoor areas and playing fields, a fitness room equipped with the latest exercise equipment,
• A library offers a wide range of resources, including books, digital media, and classrooms,
• Coworking spaces for relaxation and informal communication.

When decorating the premises, environmentally friendly materials are used: surfaces made of recycled plastic, natural floor tiles made of wood from environmentally friendly sources.

The school overlooks extensive parkland. Its outdoor facilities include gardens, courtyards, and play areas used for organized and informal activities, including outdoor lessons.

The Sixth Form Centre offers quiet areas for independent work, while the Sixth Form Café provides space for socializing and informal studying. The library provides resources for A-Level coursework and research projects. The redesigned IT suite has a dedicated Podcast room for recordings and creative projects.

Additional costs for parents of Streatham & Clapham High School students include:

• Non-refundable registration fee,
• Deposit upon arrival at campus,
• Lessons of optional additional subjects,
• Field trips with accommodation,
• Educational meals,
• Conducting exams.

Senior School tuition includes all stationery, textbooks, and scientific materials. Junior School tuition includes stationery, textbooks, and other classroom equipment. Nursery tuition includes stationery, textbooks, and teaching materials. Optional extra activities are not included in Junior School or Nursery tuition.

Streatham & Clapham High School is a competitive school that seeks to select students who are able to succeed in a dynamic educational environment.

• The process of enrolling preschoolers includes an informal game assessment.
• To enter the preparatory school, future students will need to pass written tests in mathematics, English and take part in a team event.
• Enrollment in high school allows candidates to unleash their potential and, first of all, to understand for themselves whether this school is right for them. The process includes group problem solving, a creative writing assignment, and an ISEB pre-test in English, Mathematics, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. 

The graduating class enrollment process includes a formal interview with the Sixth Form Director and requires applicants to meet the entry criteria:

• At least 7 GCSE exams with grades between 6 and 9, including Mathematics and English,
• A minimum grade of 7 in subjects planned for study at A-level,
• Successful completion of the General Critical Thinking Exam.

Female students at Streatham & Clapham High School continue to develop the values and skills they have acquired during their time at school, even after graduation, whether they are pursuing higher education, starting a career or contributing to society.

Comprehensive preparation of schoolgirls for their further educational path through UCAS includes one-on-one application assistance, detailed advice on writing personal statements, and subject-specific mentoring. Girls can receive career counselling, visit universities and take specialized programs to prepare for admission and entrance tests.

The school encourages girls who want to gain practical experience through internships: teaching staff help students find and take advantage of all opportunities that will allow them to identify their career interests, gain self-confidence and improve their resumes.

In 2024, 60% of the school's GCSE grades were 9–7, compared with 22% nationally. That year, 72% of its A-Level grades were A*–B, compared with the national figure of 53%.

At Streatham & Clapham High School, students are selected based on their personal and academic qualities, which, in the opinion of the admissions committee, will help girls succeed. To assess the skills and qualities of applicants, teaching staff conduct tests and interviews.

To enter the Sixth Form, girls need to score at least 7 points on GCSE exams, including Mathematics and English, and obtain a minimum of 7 points in the subjects they plan to study at A-level.

The management of Streatham & Clapham High School offers scholarships to successful students. Financial support is assigned to girls after a competitive selection. Payments can be extended if the scholarship holder maintains a high level of academic performance and other achievements.

Both academic and specialized scholarships are available to students in the following areas:

• Art,
• Design, Technology, Engineering and Innovation,
• Theatrical art,
• Music,
• Sport.

You can apply for participation in the scholarship competition immediately upon admission. The administration encourages early submission of applications.

Fellows are expected to be actively involved in the school community.

Scholarship recipients are expected to show enthusiasm and commitment to their chosen discipline. Renewal takes into account the student's continued contribution to school life. In addition to scholarships, the school offers financial assistance.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision