Member of the GDST, a network of 25 independent girls' schools sharing academic standards and resources.
RU Leading independent girls' school in the heart of England
Why this school
Member of the GDST, a network of 25 independent girls' schools sharing academic standards and resources.
Shortlisted for Independent Girls' School of the Year 2025, recognised for sustained performance across the school.
Alumnae include a former MI5 Director General, a Paralympic gold medallist, and a major British novelist.
Northampton High School is an independent day school for girls aged 2 to 18, based in Hardingstone, Northampton. Established in 1878, it is a member of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST) — a network of 25 schools with shared academic and pastoral standards. The school was shortlisted for Independent Girls’ School of the Year 2025 and holds an ‘Excellent’ rating from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI). Notable alumnae include Anne Fine, author of Madame Doubtfire; Eliza Manningham-Buller, former Director General of MI5; and Ellie Robinson, Paralympic gold medallist swimmer.
The school follows the national curriculum through to GCSE, with A-levels offered in the sixth form. Teaching runs from nursery through to Year 13 on one site. That continuity matters: staff track pupils across year groups over many years, and the sixth form transition is managed internally. Girls joining at 16 enter a community that is already well-established. Senior school fees for Years 7–13 are £14,500 (2025/26) per year, with lunch included in the termly charge. Additional exam fees apply in Year 11 and Year 13.
A-levels form the core of the sixth form offer. The ISI ‘Excellent’ rating covers both academic achievement and pupils’ personal development. The sixth form sits within the same GDST accountability framework as the rest of the school.
As a day school, the rhythm of the week is shaped by the school day rather than a boarding house rota. Pastoral care is structured through year groups. GDST membership gives the school access to a wider network for professional development, shared resources, and inter-school activities. The school accepts pupils from age 2, with nursery fees available on a 50-week basis (£16,812 per year, 2026/27) or term-time only. Many families have a long-standing relationship with the school before their daughters reach senior school.
International pupils attending Northampton High School are placed with local host families in the Northampton area. Host families are vetted through EDVISION’s placement process, providing a structured home environment outside school hours. Pupils live within the local community, which supports language acquisition and cultural integration alongside the academic programme.
The co-curricular programme covers sport, the arts, and community engagement. GDST membership gives pupils access to inter-school competitions and enrichment programmes run across the trust’s network — initiatives that individual schools could not sustain alone. The school’s history of alumnae in public life, athletics, and the arts points to a long-standing culture of participation outside the classroom.
Northampton High School is an IAPS-accredited school on a single site in Hardingstone. The site serves pupils from nursery through to sixth form, with specialist provision across all key stages. Lunch is included in fees at every stage from nursery upwards. Facilities investment is informed by trust-wide GDST standards.
East Midlands; Birmingham Airport is approximately 45 miles south-west; London Heathrow is approximately 70 miles south. Northampton has direct rail links to London Euston (approximately 55 minutes).
Annual tuition
£22,248 per year · day · Senior · Years 7-13
Other tier breakdowns shown below.
| Stage | Year groups | Type | Audience | Fee / year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursery | Nursery/Pre-School (50 weeks) | Day | — | £16,812 |
| Nursery | Nursery/Pre-School (Term-Time Only) | Day | — | £14,100 |
| Pre-Prep | Reception | Day | — | £15,687 |
| Pre-Prep | Years 1-2 | Day | — | £16,329 |
| Junior | Years 3-6 | Day | — | £17,691 |
| Senior | Years 7-13 | Day | — | £22,248 |
Birmingham Airport (~45 miles); London Heathrow (~70 miles); London Euston by rail ~55 min
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The school accepts girls from age 2 through to 18, covering nursery, pre-prep, junior, and senior stages on a single site in Hardingstone, Northampton. Pupils and families can remain within the same school community for up to 16 years.
Senior school fees for Years 7–13 are £14,500 (2025/26) per year. Fees are charged termly and include lunch at every stage. Additional exam fees apply in Year 11 and Year 13. Nursery fees depend on whether you choose the 50-week or term-time-only option.
No. Northampton High School is a day school only, with no boarding places. International pupils placed through EDVISION are accommodated with vetted host families in the Northampton area.
The school offers GCSEs and A-levels. The sixth form (Years 12–13) is A-level based. No IB Diploma or BTEC provision is noted in the school’s current programme.
Yes. Northampton High School holds an ‘Excellent’ rating from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), the highest available grade. It is also accredited by IAPS and is a member of the Girls’ Day School Trust (GDST).
The GDST is a network of 25 independent girls’ schools across the UK. Membership brings shared academic standards, professional development, and inter-school programmes. Northampton High School has been part of the GDST since its founding era.
Northampton is in the East Midlands. Birmingham Airport is approximately 45 miles south-west, and London Heathrow is approximately 70 miles south. Direct trains from London Euston reach Northampton in approximately 55 minutes.
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20 Wenlock Road, London, England, N1 7GU
+44 7520 603085
info@edvision-group.com
