- One of the country’s best-known girls’ schools, Cheltenham Ladies’ College was established in 1853 to provide a “sound academic education for girls” along similar lines to the nearby boys’ Cheltenham College.
- Cheltenham Ladies’ has pledged to be carbon net-zero by 2030 and is implementing sustainability initiatives, some of which — such as “Meat-free Mondays” — are pupil-led.
- Facilities abound: in addition to the two sports halls, girls have access to a climbing wall, 25m swimming pool, dance studio and 58-station gym. All pupils are encouraged to try extracurricular activities, whatever their ability, and this programme is based around their preferences: clubs run according to demand, many of them led by the students.
- The school, leading among its peer group, regularly hosts guest speakers to inspire the 800 or so pupils who attend from ages 11-18. In the past, these have included the civil rights activist Leila Hassan Howe, the war photographer Adam Dobby and the former football player Sir Geoff Hurst.
- Merit-based academic, art, music, organ and sports scholarships are available, as well as means-tested bursaries that fully or partially fund boarding or day places.
- Notable former pupils include the artist Bridget Riley, the actress Dame Kristin Scott Thomas, the former cabinet minister Amber Rudd, the fashion designer Amanda Wakeley and the author Robin Stevens.
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