Choosing between the secondary schools in Ealing for girls can be a major decision for parents. Families may be looking for strong GCSE results, sixth-form opportunities, a supportive environment, single-sex education, excellent extracurricular activities, faith-based education or a school that is realistically accessible from home.
Ealing has a particularly broad secondary-school landscape. Parents can consider established girls-only schools alongside high-performing mixed schools. The borough includes state schools, academies, selective independent schools and faith-based options, so there is no single definition of the “best” school for every girl.
Current Department for Education data shows strong performance across several Ealing secondary schools, while individual schools also publish their own recent examination results. For parents, the most useful approach is to consider academic performance alongside admissions criteria, school environment, location, curriculum and the individual needs of the child.
Which Girls-Only Secondary Schools Are Available in Ealing?
For families specifically looking for girls-only education, several established options stand out.
The Notting Hill & Ealing High School GDST is an independent girls’ school in Ealing, serving pupils from ages 4 to 18. It is selective and located on Cleveland Road.
The Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls is a state-funded girls’ secondary school in Acton, serving ages 11 to 18. Unlike an independent school, it does not charge private-school fees, making it an important option for families seeking girls-only education within the state sector.
St Augustine’s Priory is an independent Catholic girls’ school in Ealing, educating pupils from early years through to 18. Its religious character and independent-school structure make it particularly relevant to families seeking a Catholic girls’ education.
There is also Ayesha Siddiqa Girls School in Southall, an independent girls’ school serving ages 11 to 19 with a Muslim ethos and sixth form.
These schools have very different admissions models and educational environments, so parents should compare them rather than treating them as interchangeable.
Notting Hill & Ealing High School: A Leading Independent Option
Notting Hill & Ealing High School, commonly known as NHEHS, is one of the most prominent independent girls’ schools in the borough.
The school is part of the Girls’ Day School Trust and provides education from primary age through sixth form. Its selective admissions policy means that gaining a place is different from applying to a typical non-selective state secondary school.
Academic results are one of the reasons it attracts families from Ealing and neighbouring parts of west London. In its 2026 GCSE results, the school reported that 45% of entries achieved grade 9, 74% achieved grades 9 or 8, and 91% achieved grades 9 to 7. The cohort contained 94 Year 11 pupils.
Its 2025 A-level results were also strong, with 23% of entries receiving A*, 64% achieving A* or A, and 90% achieving A* to B.
For a girl who enjoys academic challenge and a broad range of subjects, NHEHS can therefore be particularly attractive. Parents should, however, factor in fees and the school’s selective admissions process.
Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls: A Strong State-School Choice
The Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls is one of the most important options for families seeking a girls-only state secondary school in Ealing.
Located on Queen’s Drive in Acton, the school is non-selective and has a sixth form.
Its recent academic performance is notable. Department for Education data for 2024 showed a Progress 8 score of 0.97, placing the school in the “well above average” category.
For 2025, published performance data shows an Attainment 8 score of 56.5, compared with 52.0 for the London Borough of Ealing and 46.1 for England. The proportion achieving grade 5 or above in English and maths was 65.3%.
These figures make Ellen Wilkinson particularly relevant for parents who want a girls-only environment without the fees associated with independent education.
The school also offers a sixth form, meaning families can potentially plan for continuity beyond GCSEs.
St Augustine’s Priory: Catholic Girls’ Education
St Augustine’s Priory offers another distinctive option for families searching for girls’ education in Ealing.
It is an independent Catholic girls’ school located on Hillcrest Road and educates pupils through to sixth form.
Academic performance is an important part of its appeal. In 2025, the school reported that 42% of GCSE grades were 8 or 9 and 66% were grade 7 or above.
Its 2026 A-level results were also strong, with 48% of grades awarded at A* to A, 84% at A* to B and 96% at A* to C.
For parents who value Catholic education, pastoral development and an independent-school environment, St Augustine’s Priory can therefore be a compelling alternative to NHEHS.
The key consideration is that it is not simply another academically focused independent school. Its Catholic identity forms part of the school’s educational character.
Ayesha Siddiqa Girls School in Southall
Ayesha Siddiqa Girls School provides a more specialised option for families seeking an independent girls’ education with a Muslim ethos.
The school is located on The Broadway in Southall and serves girls aged 11 to 19, including sixth-form education. Government information records it as an independent school with a Muslim religious ethos.
Its relatively small pupil population can be relevant to parents who prefer a smaller educational setting. The school’s own current material emphasises academic achievement, faith, character development and extracurricular opportunities.
Because its educational approach is distinctive, parents should visit the school and discuss curriculum, admissions, sixth-form pathways and expectations directly before applying.
What About Mixed Secondary Schools for Girls in Ealing?
Girls do not have to attend a girls-only school to receive an excellent secondary education.
Several mixed schools in Ealing have produced strong academic outcomes and should be included when families compare local options.
The 2024 Department for Education performance data shows particularly strong results from Twyford Church of England High School, William Perkin Church of England High School, Ealing Fields Church of England High School, Ada Lovelace Church of England High School and Drayton Manor High School.
For example, Ealing Fields recorded a 2024 Progress 8 score of 1.3, while Ada Lovelace recorded 1.4. Twyford recorded 1.08 and William Perkin 0.87.
These figures show why parents should not automatically exclude mixed schools when searching for strong education for a daughter.
Why William Perkin Can Be Worth Considering
William Perkin CofE High School in Greenford is a mixed school and part of the Twyford Church of England Academies Trust.
The school had a Progress 8 score of 0.87 in the 2024 DfE data, categorised as well above average.
It also has a distinctive admissions structure, including specialist language scholarship places. For 2027 entry, the school has 200 Year 7 places, including 20 specialist language scholarship places.
This could be interesting for a girl with strong language aptitude or a family looking for a school with a particular emphasis on languages.
However, admissions are oversubscribed when applications exceed the published number, and priority is determined according to the school’s published criteria. Families should therefore avoid assuming that living within a certain part of Ealing guarantees a place.
What Should Parents Look For Beyond GCSE Results?
Exam results are useful, but they should not be the only measure.
A girl who is academically capable may thrive in one school but struggle in another because of differences in teaching style, pastoral support, school culture or extracurricular opportunities.
Parents should consider whether the school provides subjects their daughter enjoys, opportunities in music, sport, drama, art, technology and languages, and appropriate support for SEND or other learning needs.
Travel time also matters. A school that looks excellent on paper may involve a long and stressful daily journey. For a 12-year-old travelling independently, the difference between a short bus journey and several changes across west London can significantly affect everyday life.
School size is another factor. Some pupils enjoy the opportunities available at a large comprehensive, while others may prefer a smaller independent setting.
How Important Is School Location in Ealing?
Location can have a major influence on admissions and daily life.
Families in Ealing Broadway, Acton, Hanwell, Greenford, Southall, Northolt and neighbouring areas may have very different practical options.
State-school applications are particularly sensitive to admissions criteria and distance. Ealing Council publishes individual admission arrangements for the borough’s high schools, including Ellen Wilkinson, William Perkin, Twyford, Ealing Fields, Ada Lovelace and other schools.
Parents should therefore check the relevant year’s admission policy rather than relying on previous years’ distances or informal assumptions.
Independent schools operate differently, with their own admissions procedures, entrance requirements and fees.
How Do You Choose Between a Girls-Only and Mixed School?
The decision often comes down to the child’s personality and the family’s priorities.
A girls-only environment may appeal to a pupil who feels more comfortable in a single-sex setting or whose parents value that educational model. It can also provide a community where all pupils are girls and leadership opportunities are structured within that environment.
A mixed school may suit a child who enjoys a broader social environment and does not have a preference for single-sex education.
Neither model automatically guarantees better academic outcomes. The quality of teaching, leadership, pastoral care, curriculum and pupil engagement matters considerably more than the label alone.
A practical approach is to shortlist two or three schools representing different models and attend their open evenings.
When Should Parents Start Comparing Ealing Secondary Schools?
Parents should start researching well before the Year 6 application deadline.
Ealing Council publishes open-evening information for the borough’s high schools. For the 2026 admissions cycle, for example, Ellen Wilkinson, Drayton Manor, Featherstone, Greenford, Twyford and William Perkin were among the schools with published open-evening dates.
Visiting schools gives parents a chance to observe the environment rather than judging solely from league tables.
Ask about class sizes, behaviour, pastoral support, homework, enrichment, GCSE options, sixth form, SEND provision, attendance and how the school communicates with families.
It is also worth asking pupils what they actually enjoy about the school. Their answers can sometimes reveal more about everyday school life than a league-table position.
Which School Is Best for Your Daughter?
There is no universally “best” secondary school for every girl in Ealing.
For a selective independent girls’ education, Notting Hill & Ealing High School is a major option with exceptionally strong recent examination results. For a state-funded girls-only education, The Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls deserves serious consideration because of its academic performance and sixth-form provision.
St Augustine’s Priory offers an independent Catholic girls’ education, while Ayesha Siddiqa Girls School provides a smaller independent setting with a Muslim ethos.
Families willing to consider mixed schools should also investigate Twyford, William Perkin, Ealing Fields, Ada Lovelace and Drayton Manor, all of which have demonstrated strong performance in recent government data.
The strongest shortlist is therefore one that combines academic evidence with admissions feasibility, travel distance, cost, curriculum, school culture and the individual needs of the child.
Ealing offers an unusually broad choice for families looking for secondary education for girls. Parents can choose between state-funded girls-only education, selective independent schools, Catholic education, specialist faith-based options and high-performing mixed schools.
Recent results demonstrate that several schools in the borough perform strongly, but raw results should always be interpreted alongside admissions arrangements and the school’s overall educational environment.
For most families, the best starting point is to create a shortlist based on location and school type, check the latest admissions criteria, compare academic outcomes and then visit the schools.
Most importantly, choose the environment in which your daughter is likely to feel confident, supported and motivated to learn. A school that matches her strengths, interests and personality can be more valuable than a school selected purely because it appears near the top of a league table.
Frequently Asked Questions About Secondary Schools in Ealing for Girls
What is the best girls-only secondary school in Ealing?
There is no single best option for every child, but Notting Hill & Ealing High School, Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls and St Augustine’s Priory are among the most prominent girls-only options in the borough.
Is Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls a good school?
Ellen Wilkinson is a strong state-funded girls’ school. Its 2024 Progress 8 score was 0.97, classed as well above average, while its 2025 Attainment 8 score was 56.5.
Is Notting Hill & Ealing High School selective?
Yes. The Department for Education records Notting Hill & Ealing High School as an independent girls’ school with a selective admissions policy.
Are there Catholic girls’ schools in Ealing?
Yes. St Augustine’s Priory is an independent Catholic girls’ school in Ealing and provides education through to sixth form.
Are there Muslim girls’ schools in Ealing?
Ayesha Siddiqa Girls School in Southall is an independent girls’ school with a Muslim ethos and provision from ages 11 to 19, including sixth form.
Are mixed schools worth considering for girls in Ealing?
Yes. Strong academic performance is not limited to girls-only schools. Twyford, William Perkin, Ealing Fields, Ada Lovelace and Drayton Manor all recorded well-above-average Progress 8 results in the 2024 DfE data.
When should I apply for a secondary school place in Ealing?
Parents should follow Ealing Council’s annual admissions timetable and check the specific school’s admission arrangements. For state schools, families normally apply through their home local authority’s coordinated application process, while independent schools have their own procedures.
