A girls’ school in the world’s first garden city that combines 90-year traditions of Catholic nuns with digital learning on personal devices.
Location and Structure
When Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary welcomed their first pupil in 1933, they’d just settled in Letchworth, the planet’s original garden city. Their seven-acre campus remains in this conservation area—half an hour from London, twenty minutes from Cambridge—where all stages from nursery through sixth form share one site. A historic West End-style theatre seating 330 (built 1924) neighbors a twenty-meter pool, modern laboratories, and a chapel where girls find space for reflection.
Results at St. Francis’
At GCSE 2025, nearly half the pupils—47.4%—earned top grades 9-8, doubling the national average. Graduates head to Cambridge, UCL, Warwick, and Manchester, pursuing paths from engineering to biological sciences. The school belongs to the Girls’ School Association and Boarding Schools’ Association; since 2014, it’s been part of Inspired, an educational group spanning 26 British institutions. March 2024’s Independent Schools Inspectorate review confirmed high standards across all areas.
Academic Programmes
The learning process builds on DREAMS principles—determination, resilience, empowerment, appreciation, motivation, and safety. This philosophy creates an environment where girls learn to try new things and make mistakes without fear. From Year 5 onwards, each student receives a personal device for working with digital platforms and elements of artificial intelligence in learning.
Programmes by stage:
- Junior years (7-9): English, mathematics, three natural sciences, Latin, two modern languages, humanities, arts and technology
- GCSE: several compulsory subjects and free choice from 25 disciplines with extended project option
- Senior years: 27 A-Level disciplines from classical to contemporary like cinematography, music technology, psychology and law
Extracurricular Life
Extracurricular life at St. Francis’ College matches academics in both intensity and variety. The sports program follows an inclusive principle: every primary-stage girl represents the school in at least one discipline across more than two hundred annual matches. Beyond core offerings—athletics, hockey, tennis, and swimming—specialized sessions range from basketball to self-defense.
Creative directions:
- Music: training on string, wind, keyboard and percussion instruments, ensembles from orchestra to rock band
- Dance: ballet, tap, contemporary choreography
- Theatre: productions in the historic hall and charity shows every two years
- Duke of Edinburgh Award: three-level programme of volunteering, skills and expeditions in Chilterns and Peak District
- Five Star Week: annual residential immersion week for all ages at the end of summer term
